The tourism giant celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
Ahead of the celebrations, it has crunched the numbers to estimate the scale of its operation.
The gondola itself has completed two million laps.
Those who have ridden to the top have, collectively, eaten 350,000 chickens, drunk 850,000 pints of beer, worked through 65 tonnes of coffee beans and enjoyed 12 million luge rides.
Skyline Enterprises chairman Mark Quickfall says the first gondola travelled up the hill in November 1967.
‘‘Since then, the company has grown exponentially and what began as a small but ambitious operation has now expanded into a multinational tourism company.’’
Skyline is now in four countries — New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and Canada.
The Queenstown operation will soon benefit from a $100 million redevelopment, including 10-seat gondolas and expansion of the complex.
‘‘Continual innovation is crucial . . . that’s how the business started back in the 1960s and those are still the core principles we operate on today,’’ Mr Quickfall said.
The company donates $70,000 a year to local community projects and sponsorships.
Celebrations next month will include 50% off all annual gondola passes, a kids-go-free morning on November 11 with $6 luge rides, a locals’ day and other activities
