James Coddington
A bigger than expected response to NZSki's early bird
pass eight-month payment option has the company predicting
healthy season pass sales when they open to residents next
month.
Following a difficult season and fallout over the increase in
2011 season pass prices, NZSki in October announced it would
freeze 2012 season passes prices at last year's levels.
Queenstown early bird passes remain at 2011 prices: adult,
$889; youth (7 to 17 years) and senior (65 to 74) both $589.
It also announced it would reward returning season
pass-holders with MyPass credit and allow those willing to
commit to a pass at early bird prices to "drip-feed" payments
over eight months.
NZSki chief executive James Coddington this week said he
could not release the figures, but they "certainly exceeded
our expectations".
"We have had a very positive response from our sale and the
people are not just returning pass-holders - it's new
pass-holders as well."
Mr Coddington said it boded well for sales of early bird
passes when they became available to residents from February
16 until mid-March.
"We are looking forward to seeing what the numbers are like
and if it reflects what the early birds were in October, it
should be a positive response."
Mr Coddington said summer at Mt Hutt, Coronet Peak and the
Remarkables had been very busy, with maintenance and
development work going well.
A new car and bus parking area was being constructed at
Coronet Peak, along with the redevelopment of the Rocky Gully
Giant Slalom course.
The Rocky Gully redevelopment also includes buying three or
four new snow machines. Coronet Peak ski area manager Hamish
McCrostie expects all the work to be completed by mid-April.
During that time, the Coronet Peak mountain bike
cross-country trail will be closed for six to eight weeks.
The Remarkables ski area is getting a new "direct-to-lift"
access system for Shadow Basin. It will also stock more
rental gear - including more high-performance skis - 3km of
the access road will be replaced and the 25-year-old Shadow
Basin chairlift haul rope will be replaced.
Bookmark/Search this post with:
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.