A new state-of-the-art rental equipment system and an improved full transport system will be launched next month when Coronet Peak and The Remarkables open for the 2011 winter season.
The rental equipment ski-fitting system, Head BYS, was introduced to the ski areas last week.
It would "revolutionise" the speed and efficiency with which people could be fitted with pre-matched and colour-coded skis and boots.
The only thing to be decided once a foot was measured was what length ski the customer required.
Coronet Peak rentals department head Jim Hemmingway said the system, which comprised 1300 pairs of skis and boots, promised to be popular, even with the most experienced skiers.
"It will be a far more efficient and faster process all round from beginning to end when people are going through the rentals department.
"There's no need for people to worry about the hassle of bringing their own equipment if they're travelling from around New Zealand or overseas," he said.
"The Head BYS gear is brand new, state-of-the-art."
The efficiency was due to the three boot-standardised sole lengths colour coded black, yellow and silver (BYS). Customers follow the same colour category through the rental process.
The Remarkables rental department head Will Curnow said guests could keep both boots on right from the start.
"Guest feedback told us that one of their biggest bugbears was the need to keep one boot off so technicians could fine-tune the fit, and then have to muck around trying to get the second boot on.
"There's no need for all that now," Mr Curnow said.
"The only adjustment that's required is the DIN release setting on the binding, so we check their weight and experience level and they're off hitting the slopes.
"This is going to be hugely efficient during peak times. We'll be able to race through the queue and help large numbers of people in very little time so they get the most time out there on the snow," he said.
Skis and boots could be returned at the end of the rental period to Coronet Peak, The Remarkables or the Queenstown Snow Centre, irrespective of where they were picked up.
Meanwhile, three new custom-designed 4WD buses were joining the Snowline service, further improving transport to the two Queenstown ski areas.
That took NZSki's 4WD bus count to nine and increased the fleet to more than 20, which would improve the reliability of the service in all road conditions and was part of an ongoing investment programme.
Also new this year was a door-to-door Snowline Hotel Pick-up service, for families or those new to the mountains.
It would give guests a guaranteed seat on a pre-booked coach, picking them up from their accommodation.
NZSki transport manager Etienne Raubenheimer said providing a convenient and affordable transport service was the key to minimising mountain road traffic and maximising enjoyment of the trip to the ski areas.
"The emphasis is very much on safety, both in the safe delivery of people to the ski areas and in recognising that many of our visitors are not used to unsealed or alpine roads and winter conditions," Mr Raubenheimer said.
The Snowline Express cost $5 for The Remarkables and $12 for Coronet Peak, operating daily throughout the season, picking up at designated bus stops.
Departures were scheduled every 20 minutes from outside the Snow Centre on Duke St.
During peak times the service would be adjusted to meet demand.
Mr Raubenheimer said the new hotel pick-up service would operate twice a day, to and from both Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, and needed to be booked by 9pm the night before.
Tickets could be bought from the Snow Centre or at The Remarkables access road booth.
• Coronet Peak is scheduled to open for the season on Saturday and The Remarkables on June 18 subject to conditions.
