Remarkables all set to open

Ski area staff were delighted to be told today (June 30) that The Remarkables ski area in Queenstown will open at 9am on Saturday (July 2) for the 2011 winter season.

Following the successful opening of its sister ski area Coronet Peak today, The Remarkables will also open with limited beginner, novice and intermediate terrain.

Lifts and trails opening include the Base Lodge conveyor, the learners’ area, Alta Quad Chair lift accessing the Alta Green Trail, and the Sugar Bowl Quad Chair accessing the TNT, Water Race and Gotham trails.

Ski area manager Ross Lawrence said it was the first time in the history of The Remarkables that it had been able to open solely as a result of snowmaking.

“Previously there’s always been natural snow with the addition of snowmaking, so this is a first for us and really does reiterate the value of snowmaking to our business,” he said.

“The Remarks crew are very excited to be getting a start to the season.

“It’s been great to see the support they’ve been giving each other and the support we’ve had from the community in holding the team together while we have been waiting for this moment.

“We’re looking forward to a great opening with sunshine for the weekend.”

Mr Lawrence said all trails open had a base of between 20cm to 40cm snow coverage, but terrain was limited and runs were narrower in places than normal. “Unfortunately no terrain parks are set up yet,” he said.

“At this stage it really is only suitable for beginners up to early intermediates, with no off piste at all, so care must be taken in these early stages of operation,” he said.

Mr Lawrence said The Remarkables would host the Quiksilver “BoxZilla challenge” for freestyle skiers and snowboarders on Sunday July 3 as part of the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival. The event will be held near the base building and not in one of the ski area’s terrain parks.

“It’s a revised event which should be great fun to watch – it’s a series of boxes one after the other and competitors will have to ride them all without touching the snow,” he said.

Entries will be accepted on the day on site.

Base building services will include rental, snowsports school, crèche, café, guest services and retail. Coveted ‘First on the Lift 2011’ T-shirts will also be on offer to the first four guests on the Alta Chair.