Now is the time to get excited and to get your snow gear ready to head to New Zealand this winter to have some serious fun in the snow.

Here is some up to date information on the main three South Island New Zealand ski areas.

Opening Dates 2009 ski season:

• Coronet Peak and The Remarkables are scheduled to open on Saturday 6 June and Saturday 20 June respectively
• Mt Hutt is scheduled to open on Saturday 13 June

CORONET PEAK QUEENSTOWN Lifts: 1 detachable Quad lift, 1 Triple Chair, 1 Double Chair, 1 T- Bar lift, 1 Magic Carpet and 1 Beginner tow lift Terrain: For Beginners 20%, for Intermediate skiers 45% and advanced 35% Season: Early June – Early October Facilities: Everything you need for your New Zealand Ski holidays and children are well catered for and if you forgot to bring any clothing or accessories you can purchase them from the Retail outlet shop Drive from Queenstown to the mountain: 25 minutes (18kms) Ski Shuttles: Daily service to/from Queenstown Operating Hours: 9:00am to 4:00pm Night Skiing: Mid July to mid September, Friday and Saturday nights 4:00pm until 9:00pm

Coronet Peak’s South Island Ski Season has open slopes and wide rolling terrain and with only a short drive from Queenstown is the New Zealand most popular ski resort It is the first New Zealand resort so this is the original one and leads the way with quality. Coronet Peak has everything for your NZ Ski Holidays – from easy beginner to rolling off-piste slopes including long well groomed runs. Whatever your style or speed, there is something for everyone to enjoy their NZ Ski Holidays including amazing views from the top.

Coronet Peak also offers night skiing which is an experience out of this world and not to be missed – only the main trails are lit up for night skiing. If you get hungry or wish to rest the West End or Rocky Gully Cafes are open for great meals and drinks At the Base lodge you can get mountain chains, tickets and rental, also food and beverage.

The Remarkables Queenstown Lifts: 3 Quad Chair lifts, 1 Magic Carpet & 1 Beginner Tow Terrain: Beginners 30%, Intermediates 40%, Advanced 30% Season: Late June – mid October Facilities: Everything you need to make your Ski Holidays enjoyable including a children’s crache, self service cafe, ski and board repair and rental, a shop where you can purchase gloves, hats and scarf’s etc Drive from Queenstown town centre: 45 minutes (26kms) from QueenstownFor clients with no vehicle a daily Ski Shuttle runs from/to Queenstown.

Across the valley lies the Remarkable’s – Queenstown’s real alpine ski area. The emphasis here is in joining in and having serious fun on the New Zealand ski slopes – especially if you are a beginner or advanced skier or rider looking for a serious adrenaline kick!

The Remarkables enjoys three sunny sheltered bowls framed by towering peaks, and is known for its friendly and very relaxed atmosphere. This New Zealand Ski area is a wonderful place to learn to ski with the easy to use chair lift. For the more adventurous ones you will find lots of challenging terrain you have never seen before. The Remarkables offers one of the longest off-piste runs on the south island. Children are well catered for. If they are ten years or younger they will receive a free day lift pass and ensure that your New Zealand Ski holidays will be remarkable and unforgettable. Check out the new tubing park – it offers even greater fun in the snow for small and big children.

In addition to the above, all Multiday Lift passes and Combo Packages to the Remarkable’s include this year free transport to/from the Queenstown Snow Centre at Duke Street (The Station) – opposite the Hotel Sofitel.

MT HUTT – METHVEN CANTERBURYLifts: 1 Quad Chair, 1 Triple Chair, 3 T-Bars, 2 Platters and 2 beginner tows Terrain: Beginners 25%, Intermediates 50%, Advanced 25% Ski Shuttles: Daily service to/from MethvenLifts operates 9 am to 4 pm daily depending on the weather

Nestled high inside the eastern rim of the Southern Alps lies the Mt Hutt New Zealand Ski Area, which receives some of the deepest, lightest, driest powder in the entire Australasia region. Overlooking the spectacular patchwork quilt of the Canterbury Plains with the blue Pacific Ocean in the far distance, skiers and snowboarders from all around the world can enjoy the longest winter season in the Southern Hemisphere.

The wide open terrain is great for first time skiers and families alike. Extreme skiers and boarders will find more different challenges they can handle. There is a newly designed children’s crache available. The beginners terrain is well catered for teaching you how to ski and ride a snowboard.Snowmaking machines are busy from early May on to ensure great snow conditions for the whole Ski season.

Mt Hutt ski area is only one hour’s drive away from Christchurch and Mt Hutt’s village – Methven is very close by. The newly introduced radio station can now broadcast live on road snow conditions and other important information for everybody heading up the mountain.In 2008 Mt Hutt experienced one of its biggest snow seasons ever and we hope this year it will be another bumper season much better prepared.

So, what are you waiting for – come and have fun in the snow this winter – you will have a New Zealand Ski Holiday experience of a lifetime?

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