NZSKI

A new chief executive has been appointed for NZSki, starting mid-season.

Queenstown's largest employer presented business leaders with a rosy outlook for the 2013 snow sports season last week, with summer projects largely completed, early bookings ''encouraging'' and the resort considered a ''sexy'' winter destination again.

NZSki chiefs gave their most upbeat preseason briefing in years to the Wakatipu business community last night.

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.

NZSKI has received more than 1400 applications for jobs with the company in the lead-up to the ski season.

The launch of a ''global'' business in November awaits NZSki chief executive James Coddington, who yesterday announced his resignation from the company responsible for the Coronet Peak, the Remarkables and Mt Hutt skifields.

NZSKI is short-listing and interviewing applicants for the position of Coronet Peak ski area manager, after the departure of long-time NZSki employee Hamish McCrostie in December.

Ask Hamish McCrostie about his 32 years with NZSki and its predecessor the Mt Cook Company and pride is a common theme.

NZSki Coronet Peak manager Hamish McCrostie is leaving the company after 32 years.

In "an era of climate change", NZSki has been given approval in principle to substantially boost its artificial snow-making capacity.