Coronet Peak

More Snow Near Queenstown

It keeps snowing in New Zealand. During the last 5 days Queenstown's ski areas has received additional 50-100 cm of fresh snow. As the result, the snow base amounts now in average about 80 cm at the mountains tops and 50 cm at the bottoms. This provides a great possibility to start snowmaking before the launch on new season.

For instance, Coronet Peak ski area has plans to open on June 6th, i. e. less than in three weeks term. Coronet Peak Ski Area Manager Hamish McCrostie reported: “"It's just fantastic. We've had consistent snow falls since early May which is unusual but very welcome. We've started packing the snow already which bodes well for a really good base for the season to come."

He also reported that all the systems are ready to roll: “We intend to start snowmaking on 25 May but we could hit the button sooner if temperatures remain consistently cold. The system is designed so that without any natural snow the central core of the mountain can be opened within three days of continuous snowmaking conditions. Under optimum conditions, all trails, including those on Rocky Gully, could open within 10 days."

According to weather forecasts more snowing is expected in Queenstown by the weekend. And the weekend is hoped to be clear and cold.

Image: http://www.photoeverywhere.co.uk

Date: 21/05/2009