Keen skiers should be happy this year. Early-bird season
passes for Southern Lakes skifields show only a small price
rise for Wanaka fields and a price freeze for Queenstown
consumers.
Adult early-bird season-pass prices at Cardrona Alpine Resort
have increased slightly from $585 last year to $599, while
child and veteran passes are up $10 each to $145 and $270
respectively. Student passes remain at $520.
The Cardrona season is scheduled to run from June 22 to
October 7 and will have a new ticketing system, giving skiers
direct access to lifts.
Treble Cone's early-bird prices have also increased slightly,
but a cash-back deal introduced this year offers season-pass
holders credits to use on the field's rentals, cafe and
child-care services. Adult season-pass prices are available
until March 31 as a five-day pass - up $24 from last year to
$399, and 10-day and unlimited season passes each up $20 to
$669 and $1089 respectively. A family season pass is $1819,
also a $20 increase. Youth passes are $165, while students
under 30 can get a season pass for $399 from February 20-26.
Treble Cone's 2012 season is expected to run from June 28 to
September 30.
NZSki's 2012 early-bird pass sale runs until March 15, with
prices frozen at last year's levels for Mt Hutt, Coronet Peak
and the Remarkables.
A pass for the two Queenstown skifields will again cost
adults $889, or $589 for youth and senior passes. A
Remarkables-only pass is $499 for adults, $399 for students
and $299 for youth and seniors. Customers can access all
three NZSki fields for early-bird rates of $999 (adult), or
$699 (youth and senior), however, NZSki season pass holders
from 2010 or 2011 will get $100 credit to spend on the
mountains.
Opening day for Coronet Peak and Mt Hutt is scheduled for
June 9, and June 16 for the Remarkables. They are expected to
close on October 7.
A new giant slalom race course for visiting professional
skiers at Coronet Peak will be ready for opening day and the
field will also have additional car parking.
Snow Park NZ would announce its prices later this month,
marketing manager Kristy Quin said.
The early-bird season-pass rates are not affected by a new
interchangeable ski pass announced this week which gives
access to Wanaka's four ski areas plus another four further
north, and is loaded with "snow dollars" that can be used to
buy time on the snow or for off-mountain activities.
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