Co-ordinator Fraser Skinner said the event, being held for the 22nd year, traditionally attracted former top New Zealand skiers along with committed recreational masters racers from around the country.
"Obviously a big drawcard is the downhill because Coronet Peak has the only masters downhill in New Zealand.
"For everyone who enters it, it is such a huge buzz."
The format for the downhill would change this year, with the training runs and main race both scheduled for Friday [August 7], before the lifts open to the public at 9am.
"Usually we run the race in two stages, with the training day on the first day followed by the main event the next day, but we are streamlining it this year."
The downhill will precede the slalom at Rocky Gully and the signature event, the giant slalom, is scheduled for this Saturday.
A prizegiving for the downhill and slalom will be held on Friday afternoon at the JSD Lodge at Coronet Peak, then the giant slalom prizegiving will be staged during the NZ Skiing Masters dinner at Lake Hayes Pavilion, on Saturday evening.
The event is open to any skier over the age of 30.
The oldest competitor this year will be 82-year-old Frank Baddely, of Christchurch.
Mr Baddely will make it a family affair, skiing alongside his sons Peter and Willy in the 2009 event.
Fellow Cantabrian Paul Bush (80) is another diehard, regular competitor, while 72-year-old Walter Unterberger, from Nelson, who was the overall 2008 national title winner, is also expected to provide a strong challenge.
Overseas competitors have also registered, including Thomas Kronthaler (60), of the United States, who entered the competition for the first time last year and won the over-55 men's slalom.
Former Coronet Peak ski instructor Jeremy Young (43), now based in Hong Kong, will also be back on home turf.
Mr Skinner said 77-year-old Natalie McKeown, of Dunedin, headed the list of masters women, along with Queenstown's Paddy Strain (73), who has skied at Coronet Peak every season since it opened in 1947.
Former Olympian Kate Rattray (46), of Christchurch, winner of the combined trophy for downhill, slalom and giant slalom in 2008, will be defending her title again this year.
The Danny Reid Memorial Downhill Trophy, which commemorates a young Queenstown skier, is awarded on handicap.
It is currently held by Rattray and Mr Skinner (56), also of Queenstown.
Entry forms are available from Browns Ski Shop or online at www.skiracing.org.nz.
