Covered lift to be installed

A large frame gallery at the Les Arcs ski resort in the French Alps. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

The Remarkables is to get a 123m-long double conveyor lift on its learners' slope, covered by a ``slinky-style'' transparent tube.

Such galleries are common in European ski resorts.

``It's keeping us competitive with the rest of the world,'' the Remarkables ski area manager Ross Lawrence said. He declined to disclose the project's cost.

The lift and tube are travelling in parts from France and should arrive late next month.

It will be ready for the planned opening on June 10.

Mr Lawrence: ``This is going to really enhance the learner experience because the tube fully encloses the two magic carpet learner conveyors.''

Earlybird season passes for NZSki fields - the Remarkables, Coronet Peak and Canterbury's Mt Hutt - are available until Thursday.

Earlybird specials for Cardrona Alpine Resort, near Wanaka, end the following day.