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| Skiers and snowboarders in their thousands
turned out to celebrate the start of the 2001 winter season
at two of New Zealand's premier ski areas this weekend. |
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The lifts started turning for the first
time on Saturday morning at Coronet Peak in Queenstown
and Canterbury's Mt Hutt, making them the first commercial
ski areas to open in Australasia. On each of Saturday
and Sunday (June 2/3) over 2000 skiers and riders visited
Coronet Peak, and Mt Hutt, which opened with limited terrain,
attracted a very local Canterbury crowd of around 600
who turned out each day.
In Queenstown, ski area managers started the lifts half
an hour early to cater for riders and skiers raring to
make first tracks with some of the best snow conditions
seen on opening day for years. Coronet Peak also opened
one of its two Primo half pipes for the 2001 season, the
first time it has ever been able to open a half pipe this
early in the season. |
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| Coronet Peak also opened one of its two
Primo half pipes for the 2001 season, the first time it
has ever been able to open a half pipe this early in the
season! |
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Cold southerly conditions over the fortnight
leading up to opening day enabled the snowmaking team
to maximize snowmaking firepower in the half pipe before
it was shaped and groomed by Coronet Peak's Pipe Magician.
Ski area manager Andy Chapman said it was fantastic to
be able to open the season with such great snow conditions.
"Our snow conditions, the amount of terrain available,
the weather and a fun atmosphere have made it a memorable
opening weekend," he said.
The Coronet Express chair, Greengates chairlift, the Meadows
novice chairlift, the world's longest Magic Carpet and
the beginners handle tow were all operating. Groomed trails
available included the main M1 trail from top to bottom
of the mountain, the Expressway, Big Easy, Shirtfront,
Mid Gully, Million Dollar, Greengates, Tuck, Wall Street,
Upper Donkey Serenade and Sugars Run trails, and the beginners
area.
Mt Hutt welcomed back good numbers of skiers and snowboarders
at the Canterbury ski area on Saturday and Sunday. Ski
area manager David Wilson said it had been a great opening
weekend. Mt Hutt opened with limited trails and facilities
available, including the main Broadway Trail, the learners
area and novice area. The Exhibition Quad chair, learners
lifts and first platter lift were operating.
"It's been great to welcome back all our supporters,"
he said. "Everyone's been stoked at the conditions
and have enjoyed the music and the atmosphere. People
have had a lot of fun." |
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