If you are heading up Coronet Peak today for a couple of quiet midweek runs, do not be alarmed if you see about 100 dogs and their owners scrambling to get on the chairlift.
From noon, Queenstown Winter Festival action will centre on the skifield for one of the highlights of the week, the Speight's Dog Derby.
All shapes, sizes and breeds of dogs will ride with their owners up the chairlift before plunging back down on foot.
Some will sprint, some will roll, some will sit and some will lose their canine companions, but the race will not end at the bottom of the skifield.
The shepherds will then have to whistle their dogs back up the mountain, where they have to cross between two markers before finishing.
There will be more festival action at Coronet Peak this weekend.
Skin to the Summit begins at 6.30am on Saturday, when entrants will "skin" on telemark skis from the base building to the top of the Coronet Express chairlift, being rewarded at the summit with a hot breakfast and a stunning sunrise.
From noon on Saturday, festival favourites the Suitcase Race and the Dash for Cash will be held.
