One week to go for Early Bird season passes at New Zealand's premier ski areas

Skiers and snowboarders have just one week to go to buy Early Bird season passes for New Zealand ski areas, Coronet Peak and The Remarkables in Queenstown and Mt Hutt in Canterbury.

Early Bird season pass prices represent the lowest available season pass price, with a ‘break-even’ point ranging between five and ten days of skiing or snowboarding for an adult season pass.

The Early Bird prices are frozen at 2012 levels, with an optional three-month payment plan available to make buying a season pass even more affordable.

Early Bird pricing is available until March 14th, 2013, and can be paid for in three instalments between March and May. Early Bird passes also include ‘buddy pass’ offers for returning season pass holders.

Anyone who had a season pass in 2012 will be given a discounted full day lift ‘buddy’ pass to gift to a friend or family member in 2013, and those who had a pass in 2012 and 2011will receive two discounted full day lift buddy passes.

NZSki CEO James Coddington said the ski areas were “really thrilled” to be holding prices at the same level for the second year in a row to keep it manageable for everyone.

“While our ski area management teams are busy finalizing plans for the coming winter, and counting down the days to season opening, our season pass holders, those who are new to our mountains, and their mates, can all be progressively paying towards their fun on the snow,” he said.

“As an added benefit to our regular season pass holders we wanted to give them a chance through the Buddy Passes to share their love for the snow with a friend or family member.”

Families and children from around New Zealand and further afield are again being given incentives to enjoy a family winter holiday in the mountains.

The return of Mt Hutt and Methven’s hugely popular ‘Kids4Free’ programme at Mt Hutt for the 2013 season – introduced in 2012 -- will see kids aged 10 and under ski or ride for free.

All children aged six and under will continue to receive a free day lift pass at Queenstown’s Coronet Peak, while all children aged 10 and under will receive a free day lift pass at The Remarkables.

A Queenstown Adult Season Pass for 2013 is $889 at the Early Bird price (Full price $1299) and a Remarkables Adult Season Pass is $499 Early Bird (Full price $799). An NZSki Adult Season Pass for Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt is $999 at the Early Bird rate. (Full price $1499).

A Mt Hutt Adult Season Pass for 2013 is $699 at the Early Bird price (Full price $1049), a Mt Hutt Midweek Adult Season Pass is $429 Early Bird (Full price $549) and a Mt Hutt Youth Season Pass is $299 at Early Bird price (Full price $599).

All Early Bird season passes are on sale at www.nzski.com until midnight March 14, 2013.

For a full price list, information on buddy passes and to purchase, visit www.nzski.com