Software to fine-tune Coronet Peak systems

James Coddington
James Coddington
A new software package to be used at Coronet Peak this season, which opens on June 8, will provide NZSki with data to allow staff to better tune the snow guns - of which there are 213.

The software is integrated into the snow-making system and also manages NZSki's power and water usage. Coronet Peak's snow guns switch on automatically when the temperature drops low enough and the new software collects data from sources such as weather stations and pump/compressor stations.

Outgoing NZSki chief executive James Coddington, who finishes with the company on May 24, said the software was on Coronet Peak and Mt Hutt at present, and would be installed at the Remarkables in the coming years.

NZSki's new Coronet Peak ski area manager Ross Cop-land, who has been in the job for two weeks, said the new technology would allow NZSki to be more energy-efficient.

Ski's new Coronet Peak ski area manager Ross Copland with  one of the skifield's snow guns. Photo...
Ski's new Coronet Peak ski area manager Ross Copland with one of the skifield's snow guns. Photo by Christina McDonald.
''Our goal is to make as much snow with as little energy as possible,'' Mr Copland said.

He had ''a real passion for sustainable business'' which would go hand in hand with the new technology, he said.

Coming most recently from a corporate office environment where he was national operations manager at Westfield Australia, Mr Copland is enjoying driving to work in a 4WD and making the mountains his office.

The native Southlander moved from Australia for the NZSki role, bringing with him his wife and two young children, following the departure of Hamish McCrostie, who had been with the company for 32 years.

Mr Copland said his strategy for the coming season was not a complicated one, as the company was ''very much a well-oiled machine'' and his goal was simply to learn - whether it was more about the business or about what customers were looking for.

Last August an Auckland couple sustained injuries when disembarking from a chairlift on foot at Coronet Peak. Mr Copland said safety would be a big focus this season.

On April 12, the Otago Daily Times reported NZSki had introduced a ban on foot passengers on chairlifts for the 2013 season.

NZSki defended charges in the Queenstown District Court last month in relation to the August incident of failing to take all practicable steps to ensure no hazards arose (namely, a fall from heights) for people who had paid to undertake an activity, and as an employer failing to ensure the safety of people who were not employees.

The company's next hearing date in relation to the charges is on Monday.

When contacted on Thursday, NZSki board chairman John Davies said a new chief executive to replace Mr Coddington had not yet been found.

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement