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Snow blankets Queenstown ski areas

Thursday 24 June 2010, 9:28AM

By NZSki

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Looking from CP across to the Remarks Coronet
Looking from CP across to the Remarks Coronet Credit: NZSki Ltd
Snow on the picnic tables at CP
Snow on the picnic tables at CP Credit: NZSki Ltd
NZSki First Crew down homeward
NZSki First Crew down homeward Credit: NZSki Ltd
NZSki Michael Duffy powder
NZSki Michael Duffy powder Credit: NZSki Ltd

QUEENSTOWN

Skiers and riders in Queenstown were delighted to wake up to their favourite ski areas blanketed in new snow this morning - the result of a Southerly blast whipping its way up the South Island.

Hardy types were quickly fitting chains to get to the slopes as the weather cleared and sun peeked through revealing 15 centimetres of fresh powder at each Coronet Peak and The Remarkables.

NZSki CEO James Coddington said the timely snow dump had set the ski areas up nicely for the coming school holidays and was a great preview to the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival which was set to open on Friday (June 29). .

“It’s always wonderful to have a good top up of fresh snow early in the season. There is fantastic skiing and riding on both Coronet Peak and The Remarkables and people are just loving it.”

NZSki’s Mt Hutt Ski Area near Methven received a massive 52 centimetres of snow overnight, taking its snow base to over a metre. The ski area was closed today but promises fantastic skiing and riding when the weather clears.