That was the message from the chairman of the Snow Farm NZ board at the celebratory lunch to mark its first 30 years of operation and to thank supporters.
Chairman (Samuel) Q. Belk said most people do not know the Snow Farm was the only Nordic skifield in New Zealand and "one of the finest ski areas in the world".
"I have been skiing for over 50 years and I have skied at a lot of different places and there is almost no place that compares to the Snow Farm for views, and the quality of skiing and terrain."
He said it had "unlimited potential" and there were plans to expand their schools programme by having a dedicated hut for students and teachers for multiday stays and to expand the trails.
The Snow Farm is the only non-profit ski area in the Lakes region.
It is owned and operated by the Pisa Alpine Charitable Trust (PACT) on Queenstown Lakes District Council land but it was originally called the Waiorau Nordic Ski Area and developed by John and Mary Lee in the 1980s.
Mrs Lee said it had been a very "exciting, fun-filled 30 years" and it was great to see so many of their supporters, even those who had initially opposed them and had since become friends.
Son and Snow Farm manager Sam Lee said the weekend marked a significant milestone and attributed a big part of their success to their "great staff and the great support of the locals".
The challenge for the future was "how to keep the culture and the spirit of the Snow Farm as we grow and become more of a community facility".
Other events during the "Snoparty" weekend included snow-tubing, fun cross-country ski races and a tandem ski race, as well as the naming ceremony for the new Pisten Bully groomer.
Lochie Pope (6), of Lake Hawea, won the colouring-in competition which gave him naming rights and the first ride on the new groomer. He named the groomer "Geoff".
