Snow Blesses The Remarkables Before Opening Day (17-Jun-09)

The Remarkables, New Zealand, June 17, 2009 - Recent snowfalls has skiers and snowboarders amped

Recent snowfall has skiers and snowboarders amped up for the opening of The Remarkables on Saturday (20 June), particularly as all lifts and the terrain parks will be open for season kick off.

The ski area received 10cm of fresh snow yesterday (Tuesday 16 June) and is enjoying a solid average base of 75cm.

More snow is forecast for later today (Wednesday 17 June) which bodes well for an awesome opening on Saturday, according to Ross Lawrence, Ski Area Manager.

“We’re excited to announce that our main terrain parks, the Dirty Dog Terrain Park and Tararua Iced Coffee Beginner Park, will be open from Saturday as a result of great pre-season conditions,” said Mr Lawrence. “Our terrain park crew have been having some fun over the last couple of weeks completing the set up of the parks at The Remarks.”

“We’re pretty stoked to be able to open Shadow Basin on day one with plenty of snow, and also the Homeward Run and shuttle service,” he said.

Mr Lawrence said young skiers and riders would enjoy improved programmes and facilities at The Remarkables this year.

“We’ve really focussed on upgrading our children’s programmes and facilities for 2009,” he said. “Our Skiwiland Early Learning Centre can now look after children from as young as three months. And for the first time ever we have a Children Snowsports Manager, Matt Lazell, as well as dedicated kids instructors who bring a great deal of overseas experience to our all day programmes.”

In addition to the new Kids Snowsports School, children aged 10 years and under receive free day lift passes at The Remarkables.

Also new this year is the free transport system where all day or multiday passes or combo packs include free transport to The Remarkables from the Queenstown Snow Centre. The base building has been reorganised and the road improved with the installation of 3.6 kilometres of new barriers.