Fresh snow on Lakes District mountains has improved
skifields, most of which will close on Sunday, after one of
the best seasons in years
The Cardrona, Treble Cone and Snow Farm/Snow Park fields will
close to the public at the weekend while Coronet Peak will
close on Sunday.
The Remarkables is scheduled to follow on October 11 and Mt
Hutt on October 18.
Last week, there was a possibility Coronet Peak would remain
open until October 11, but the onset of spring conditions
ruled that out.
Manager Hamish McCrostie said there was snow on the mountain
"but we're losing it fairly quickly".
"It's spring. It's melting and it's time to close."
It had been one of the most successful seasons at Coronet
Peak, with just one closed day this winter.
Highlights this year were the Queenstown Winter Festival, the
Winter Games NZ and the "fantastic" spring conditions.
"But all good things have to come to an end," he said.
NZSki chief executive James Coddington agreed it had been a
"fantastic" season.
"We started with the best openings in over a decade, and
since then, a phenomenal number of people have visited our
slopes.
It's been a massive season and has shown us that recession
means nothing to skiers and snowboarders when conditions are
prime."
Treble Cone spokesman Antony Hansen said the skifield was
closing on Sunday with a snow base comparable with that of
mid-winter.
"People need to get up the mountain and make the most of
conditions. They won't get another chance until next June,"
Mr Hansen said.
Pisa Range operations Snow Park and Snow Farm are also
scheduled to close their respective freestyle terrain
facilities and cross-country ski trails on Saturday and
Sunday.
Meanwhile, Cardrona Alpine Resort is having a busy final week
as it hosts the four-day Junior Freeski and Snowboard
National Championships in the first week of school holidays.
Cardrona closes on Sunday, but allows access for training.
New Zealand Winter Olympic hopefuls will practise alongside
international teams.
Cardrona will maintain its 22-foot halfpipe for use by
Japanese, Canadian, Polish, Australian, Spanish and New
Zealand teams.
Wells brothers Jossi and Byron will conduct a camp for junior
freeskiers.
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