Final day for Remarkables

Enjoying the last day of the season at the Remarkables yesterday are (clockwise from front left)...
Enjoying the last day of the season at the Remarkables yesterday are (clockwise from front left) Zofia Dixon (7), Amarni Souness (9), Polly Bennett (9) and Nova Arnott (7), all of Queenstown. Photo: Guy Williams
The sun came out and the Hawaiian shirts were slipped on for the last day of the season at the Remarkables ski area yesterday.

NZSki chief executive Paul Anderson said the celebratory mood was typical of a "really good vibe" at the ski area all season as the investments of the past few years in a new chairlift, base building and road sealing had enhanced the visitor experience.

Although snowfall had been well down on average, with half the normal level by the end of August, a well-timed dump of 75cm early last month set up the tail end of the season.

Inclement weather had forced the field to close for only one and a-half days, but power supply problems had prevented opening on three further days.

Mr Anderson said a generator had since been installed that was capable of running the Curvey Basin chairlift, Magic Carpet beginners lift and the base building operations in the event of a power cut.

A major upgrade of the power lines that fed the mountain could go ahead as soon as this summer, although the project was still being assessed.

A highlight of the year had been the success and popularity of the new Remarkables Snow Sports Academy, an all-mountain ski and snowboarding programme that nearly 100 local children had joined, he said.

"The feedback from parents makes us feel like we’ve hit a sweet spot with it."

The Remarkables sister ski area, Coronet Peak, closed on October 1.

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