The Remarkables is set to benefit from a major upgrade as the
skifield's owners prepare for the coming ski season.
All three of the Queenstown-based company NZSki skifields (it
also owns Coronet Peak and Mt Hutt, near Methven in
Canterbury) are being upgraded, but after thorough upgrades
at Coronet Peak over the past two years, including a new base
building and an arsenal of snow guns, the Remarkables gets
the biggest overhaul this year.
NZSki chief executive James Coddington declined to reveal how
much the company was spending on upgrades, but said it had
been a "summer of significant investments".
The base building at the Remarkables will be upgraded, with
new dining facilities, split into a restaurant area and a
cafe serving light meals and drinks.
The kitchen is being updated with new equipment and the
restaurant gets new furniture.
"We have also updated the menu to a broader selection of
dishes and lots of healthy options," Mr Coddington said.
Out on the ski area, all three terrain parks are getting new
features and there will be a few surprises for children.
"A series of `kids-only' trails are being constructed. They
are for children of different abilities, and are packed with
fun features, such as little jumps and tunnels, for them to
explore," he said.
The access road, which had safety barriers installed along
part of its 13km length last year, will also get a major
reconditioning.
"The road is getting a thorough resurfacing, which required
removing some of the top layers and building up new metal
layers. It should be a great improvement."
To enhance its transport system, NZSki has expanded its bus
fleet with three new four-wheel-drive buses.
Over at Coronet Peak, the main upgrade will be replacing the
two-seater beginners' chairlift to a four-seater lift.
Mr Coddington said this would ease the pressure on an area of
the mountain which was often congested on busy days.
Coronet Peak is undergoing earthworks over the summer,
especially around the learners' areas, to keep the trails in
good shape.
Mt Hutt is also getting a facelift this year with a
refurbished restaurant and kitchen, earthworks and an upgrade
of the access road.
Out on the skifield, the beginners are in for a surprising
new experience.
The three skifields are scheduled to open in June, and "early
bird" season passes go on sale on February 12.
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