Season pass pricing announced at Mt Hutt – 10 year olds and under ski free

Mt Hutt ski area is announcing its season pass programme for 2012, giving snowsports lovers plenty of time to budget and plan for their winter fun.

And in a move to make skiing and snowboarding more affordable for families, children aged 10 and under will now ski for free at Mt Hutt, while the price of a youth pass for those aged 11 to 17 has been slashed by $150.

Other prices for season passes have been frozen at 2011 levels, and those who held season passes in 2010 or 2011 will be rewarded with up to $100-worth of credit in the form of mypass money loaded onto their mypass to spend on services on the mountain.

To help make paying for passes less of a one-off drain on the pocket, anyone who wants to commit to a pass at Early Bird pricing by October 31, whether they were a previous season pass holder or not, will be able to ‘drip-feed’ payments over eight months.

All snowsports lovers who want to pay for passes between mid-February and mid-March 2012, the traditional time pass prices are released, will still be able to do so at Early Bird prices and can choose a three-month payment plan at that time.

“We’ve been thinking about this throughout the season and now that we’ve made our decisions we wanted to let people know our plans as early as possible,” said NZSki Sales & Marketing GM Craig Douglas.

“We know many Christchurch and Canterbury families in particular have found it hard going financially this year, so this recognizes that they could do with a break when it comes to funding their winter sports activities for next season.

“For a family of two adults, a youth and a 10-year-old child, for example, they will be saving $599 in 2012 compared to this season.

“The early release of our pricing also provides the opportunity for people to drip-feed payments throughout summer.

“There’s no pressure to buy now, but because our decisions have been made early it gives everyone the chance to plan for 2012. Anyone can take full advantage of paying off their passes over a longer period, or still buy them as normal next year, and then main season pricing will kick in from mid-March.”

Mr Douglas said NZSki was always listening to customer feedback and continually looking at ways to improve what it could offer.

“After introducing our new radio frequency mypass for the 2010 season, we’ve now developed the technology to a point where we can load credit, so we thought that involving our loyal season pass holders would be a great way to get it up and running,” he said.

“So now anyone who’s had a qualifying season pass for 2010 or 2011 who buys a Mt Hutt adult full season pass at Early Bird prices will have it pre-loaded with $100-worth of mypass money. A Mt Hutt midweek adult pass will be loaded with $50 of mypass money.

Buyers of youth and senior passes will also have mypass money loaded at varying levels depending on the pass purchased.

“It’s our way of recognising returning season pass holders,” said Mr Douglas.

Other exclusive deals on offer in 2012 for those buying at Early Bird season prices include discounted blocks of five group lessons or Kea Club sessions at Mt Hutt, saving up to 37% on this year’s prices.

Sales will be available on www.nzski.com from October 14 to October 31 for those who want to lock in the longer payment plan. Sales will start again in mid-February for the Early Bird pricing.

Full details including qualification criteria for Early Bird season pass pricing and mypass money are available on www.nzski.com

The Nitty Gritty

• · mypass money can be spent on food and beverage, group lessons, lift passes, and equipment rental at Mt Hutt, Coronet Peak or The Remarkables

• · Early Bird pricing is:

o Mt Hutt Pass $699 adult, $299 youth (age 11 – 17 years) and senior (age 65 – 74 years)

o Mt Hutt Midweek Pass $429 adult, $329 student, $299 youth (age 11 – 17 years) and senior (age 65 – 74 years)

o NZSki pass $999, $699 youth (age 7 – 17 years) and senior (age 65 – 74 years)

o A small administration fee will apply to supply a season pass for kids 10 years and under, and super seniors.