Gay old time at Coronet Peak

It's time for a hyphen to be added to Queens-town, for the sixth time, as New Zealand's biggest gay and lesbian alpine party begins this weekend, with a new sponsor to get the action started.

Gay Ski Week NZ festival organiser Mike Sandford said the addition of Nelson-based 26,000 Vodka was a welcome one, and a great fit with the event.

"We're on final festival countdown now.

"Everyone's primed and raring to go for a great week of on and off-mountain festivities, starting [tomorrow] night and continuing all week long at the Pink Palace, Queenstown's award-winning fusion restaurant Threesixty."

Mr Sanford said those keen to get up the mountain would be spoilt for choice with recent snowfalls providing fantastic conditions.

"Coronet Peak's $30 million developments mean skiers and boarders will have first class facilities, Armani snow and more skiable terrain than ever before this year, while freestylers will love showing their tricks in the Stash at The Remarkables, only the third terrain park of its kind in the world.

"For those not so serious about snow they can always try out some new positions at the snowtubing park at The Remarkables," he said.

Other highlights on the 2008 Gay Ski Week NZ calendar were the four ski days around the Queenstown region, including Sunday's Picnic on the Peak on Coronet Peak's new deck with glasses of bubbles and shots of vodka, the Downhill Dash for Cash on Sunday at Coronet, the DNA Magazine Lake Cruise and Dinner at Walter Peak on board TSS Earnslaw and QUEENStown's Got Talent karaoke at SkyCity Queenstown Casino, featuring special host Miss Kitty Glitter, a Sydney-based drag artist.

Other action included the "Dyke Hike", a retro fancy dress bowls evening, a Central Otago wine tour, and the Ski Bum Party at the Yacht Club bar.

Mr Sanford said the White Out Dance Party, Queenstown's biggest gay and lesbian gig, was set to be the highlight of 2008, with Miss Kitty Glitter making another appearance and Sydney's Dan Murphy performing "back to back".

However, the fun was all-inclusive, with locals encouraged to join in the fun.

"It's great to see more and more local people getting into the spirit and coming along to events, particularly the karaoke night.

"Together with local businesses and our family of sponsors, the support from Queenstowners is the key to the festival's success.

"From a tourism point of view, the Queenstown gay market is untapped. It has huge potential for growth and has been less affected by the world financial crisis," he said.

Gay Ski Week NZ 2008 officially begins tomorrow and finishes on September 7.