General manager of nzski.com Duncan Smith says the main difference is that the new ownership is locally based and much more focused. He says while Air NZ was never a bad owner, nzski.com was not always their most important project. But the new partners have an understanding of the industry and the growth and development of the mountains is their first priority.

“I want to see Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt fulfill their potential as the best ski areas in Australasia,” said Duncan.

And its not just Duncan who should be smiling about the new ownership. Nzski.com have aggressive expansion plans for the three ski areas, giving keen boarders even more reason to rip it up down south.

Coronet Peak will be the first to reap the benefits.

Duncan says in the next few years we can expect to see major development in the Greengates and Rocky Gully areas. The greengates chair will be turned into a high-speed quad, the terrain will be improved and snowmaking facilities will expand to better maintain conditions. The rocky gully T-bar will be moved further out on the mountain to provide a specific area for racing, and a new chairlift will be installed where the existing t-bar is. Duncan says with these new developments will come car-park and base facility expansions at Coronet Peak.

Duncan says under the new ownership nzski.com is working harder to accommodate the different needs of mountain users.

And it’s good to know the man running the show has himself been a ski bum for over 20 years. Having lived in Queenstown since 1984, worked as a snowmaker, lifty, ski patroller, rentals technician and even flipped burgers in the cafeteria- he definitely knows how a mountain operates.

“For us it’s about sharing something fantastic. All of us in this business are here because we love the sport, we love these mountains. If we have people doing and loving a common thing its got to be good,” says Duncan.

And staff on the mountains seem to share Duncan’s optimism, saying they are “stoked” with the prospect of new developments under the new ownership.

So as long as the snow god keeps delivering the goods it looks like nzski.com is set to up the pace of the major southern mountains. Bring it on!