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New ski resorts open in New Zealand
THERE are now four ski resorts in New Zealand following the opening of two new resorts in the North Island and Queenstown.
Turoa ski area, on Mt Ruapehu in the central North Island, opened on the weekend with over 3000 skiers/riders hitting the slopes.
”The upper mountain lift facilities were opened under sunny skies, while over 1000 skiers and riders enjoyed snowy conditions on the lower slopes on Saturday,” Marketing Manager Mike Smith said.
Enlarge Competition: Win a trip to the snow
Turoa skiers and riders can enjoy top to bottom slope action with the opening of The High Noon Express today – the earliest in 30 years.
At The Remarkables ski area, near Queenstown keen skier and riders emerged through the low hanging surrounding cloud to find the ski area bathed in winter sunshine.
“It was an awesome day. Just one of those beautiful days with excellent snow and everything running the way it should be,” the Remarkables ski area manager, Ross Lawrence, said.
”We were able to open all lifts including the shuttle for Homeward Run, which we thought was a pretty good effort for opening day.”
It will be another big weekend ahead for New Zealand’s premier resorts with the scheduled openings of Cardrona (26 June), Whakapapa and Treble Cone (both on 27 June). The 35th anniversary Winterfestival event starts in Queenstown this weekend also. It will continue until 5 July.
Mt Hutt ski area, near Christchurch, was the first ski resort in New Zealand to open. The 30th May opening date was two weeks ahead of schedule due to cold conditions and good snow cover.
Ivan