Forecast snow and cold temperatures today will be welcomed by skiers, snowboarders and organisers of the 40th Queenstown Winter Festival but the forecast has forced Australian breakfast show Sunrise to postpone its broadcast from Coronet Peak.
The Channel Seven team will broadcast live from the resort today and tomorrow and had planned to base itself at Coronet Peak today.
However, the weather forecast means the programme will now be broadcast from Queenstown Bay, outside Novotel Queenstown Lakeside from 9am today, moving to Coronet Peak tomorrow.
New Zealand performers Stan Walker and Ginny Blackmore will now perform from Queenstown Bay, while Coronet Peak will host Australian urban pop group Justice Crew tomorrow morning.
Coronet Peak ski area manager Ross Copland said today's predicted snow combined with a forecast for clear skies on Friday meant ''every cloud has its silver lining''.
''It was a tough call, but we want to put on the best show we can for our Aussie neighbours.''
On Friday, the ski area will also be screening the England v Uruguay World Cup football match from 7am in the cafe, so residents and visitors can arrive early, watch the football and the broadcast and make a day of it on the mountain.
''We'll have an area especially set aside for fans to watch the Sunrise broadcast and Justice Crew.''
