Ski area hangs on for another week

Paul Anderson.
Paul Anderson.
Queenstown's Remarkables ski area is holding on to the 2016 season for another week.

The original plan was to close this Sunday but NZSki's chief executive, Paul Anderson, is confident it can crank through until the following Sunday, October 2.

Mr Anderson has been ''thrilled'' with the seasons at both the Remarkables and Coronet Peak, despite a shaky start.

Coronet's early snow drought forced it to close for 17 days.

However, Mr Anderson said the skifield did not take a hit.

''We were quite amazed at how the numbers bounced back to what we would have been expecting even if it wasn't closed.''

Mr Anderson said there had been a ''fantastic'' uptake of passes this season and record numbers of ski groups.

He believes Coronet Peak will stay open until next weekend but because it is lower than the Remarkables, NZSki is taking it on a ''day-to-day basis''.

Traditionally, Coronet is the later of the two mountains to close for the season.

The Remarkables field is boasting a 1.2m snow base at the summit and 80cm at the base.

All going to plan, both mountains will close on October 2.

Cardrona Alpine Resort general manager Bridget Legnavsky said the skifield would close to the public on October 9, but would host a training camp for elite snowboarders for another two weeks.

Snow Farm business support co-ordinator Sam White said they would close this Sunday with a locals' day and teddy bear picnic.

It would reopen at Labour Weekend for summer and spring activities, he said.

Treble Cone will close as planned on October 2.

mandy.cooper@odt.co.nz

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