Countdown is on to grab 2012 season passes

Snowsports lovers have just one week left to purchase their 2012 season pass for Queenstown's Coronet Peak and The Remarkables ski areas at Early Bird pricing.

Not only can people take advantage of frozen pass prices, but those who held a season pass in 2010 or 2011 will be rewarded with mypass rewards of up to $100. This credit will be automatically loaded onto their mypass and can be used to spend on goods and services on the mountains.

Early Bird season pass pricing for both mountains ends at midnight on Thursday March 15 2012.

Local Queenstown business owner Trond Johansson described the price freeze as "really a discount" when the $100 mypass reward was factored in, and said he was "delighted" by the recognition.

"The mypass reward is just like cash in the pocket as far as I'm concerned," he said.

"My family and I will have no trouble using that money up the mountain even if it just pays for the occasional coffee throughout the season.

"My wife has already put dibs on the mypass reward to buy her a day pass on a bluebird day, but I'm secretly lining it up for more 'First Tracks' time."

Mr Johansson was pleased that the offer was not restricted to just last year's season pass holders, but was available to those who held passes in either of the last two years.

"Last year was the first time in 20 years of living in Queenstown that I didn't get a season pass, due to the fact I was supposed to go to Scandinavia for a month in winter.

"When the trip was cancelled due to ash clouds from Chile, sadly I'd missed out on the early bird passes. Never again!

"Those two or three hours up the mountain when it suits you, which is the joy of having a season pass, becomes harder to do mentally when you pay for a whole day.

"That's when you want everything to be close to perfect, and you want to be able to commit a whole day, not just a run or ten," he said. "The ease of having it all pre-paid, to be able to ski as much or as little as you want, whenever you want, is well worth the initial outlay."

Coronet Peak and The Remarkables season pass holders can also access season pass 'add ons' which can be bought right up to and during the ski season.

The Remarks season pass holders can for the first time buy a night skiing 'add on' for Coronet Peak for just $99, enabling them to ski or board at the Peak between 4pm and 9pm on Friday and Saturday nights for the duration of night skiing.

The First Tracks 'add on' for Coronet Peak pass holders is available for $199.

All children aged six and under will receive free day lift passes at Coronet Peak while all children aged 10 and under will receive free day lift passes at The Remarkables.

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

ENDS

More about the season pass pricing and mypass rewards:

* mypass rewards can be spent on food and beverage, group lessons, lift passes*, and equipment rental on any of NZSki's three mountains (*excludes First Tracks and Night Ski season pass 'add on' options) * Early Bird pricing is: Queenstown Pass $889 adult, $589 youth (age 7 - 17 years) and senior (age 65 - 74 years) The Remarkables only pass $499, $399 student and $299 youth (age 11 - 17 years) and senior (age 65 - 74 years) NZSki pass $999, $699 youth (age 7 - 17 years) and senior (age 65 - 74 years) A small administration fee will apply to supply a season pass to super seniors, kids 10 years and under at The Remarkables, and to kids 6 years and under at Coronet Peak.