Gay Ski Week organisers Mike Sanford (left) and Craig
Lawson with Carla Forbes at the opening party on Saturday
night. Photo by Emily Adamson.
Organisers of Gay Ski Week had to rearrange their
schedule yesterday when the first ski session on the programme
was cancelled, but it did not put a dampener on the enthusiasm
and festive mood.
Gale-force winds closed the skifields around Queenstown
yesterday, including Coronet Peak where a large group from
the gay event had arranged their first ski day.
Organiser and creative director Craig Lawson said they were
given the opportunity to move the booked lift passes to
tomorrow, so they could still visit Coronet Peak during their
week-long programme.
"Everyone was keen to get out to the skifields, but despite a
bit of disappointment people just adapt and turn their
attention to other attractions. Our people are in town to
have a good time, and there is so much else to see and do in
Queenstown," Mr Lawson said.
"We had a fantastic welcome party the night before, so some
were happy to have a little bit of a rest Sunday morning."
Alternative tours were arranged.
Among the hundreds attending Gay Ski Week were Sydney friends
Tim Vial and Ryan Wright.
Mr Vial is on his fourth Gay Ski Week visit to Queenstown and
said the event was something he had come to look forward to
every year.
"I have met a lot of friends at these Ski Weeks, whom I have
kept in touch with.
"It is great to come back to meet many of the same people
here, and make new friends in a relaxed, fun atmosphere," Mr
Vial said.
Mr Wright was relishing his second year at the Gay Ski Week,
and said he enjoyed being back in Queenstown.
"It is a fantastic place to visit, and everyone we have met
here has been friendly and accommodating," he said.
The two friends had this year decided to arrive early to take
a trip from Christchurch via Franz Josef on the West Coast,
through Queenstown down to Doubtful Sound in Fiordland.
They are among the many who had bought the full event package
of ski days and social evenings.
Gay Ski Week continues until Sunday, with a performance by
New Zealand entertainers the Topp Twins on Thursday.
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