15 July 2011

Flurry of excitement as snowfalls blanket Queenstown

Mother Nature has responded to a call for snow and blanketed New Zealand’s Southern Lakes region over the past week, leaving its six ski fields in superb shape for the winter season.

Queenstown is buzzing after continuous heavy snow falls, combined with consistently cold temperatures, brought snow downtown and turned the resort and its surrounding mountains into a magical winter wonderland.

“It’s snow time!” said Destination Queenstown CEO Tony Everitt.  “Everyone’s really fired up, people have been pouring into town and businesses are pumping.  There’s always a real buzz when the snow comes in force, particularly when we get it downtown.

“The beauty of Queenstown is that you don’t have to be a skier or boarder to enjoy the winter season here.  Our lake and mountain scenery is stunning, and there’s a huge range of things to do on and off the mountains for all ages and all budgets.

“Activities, from the wild to the mild, as well as cosmopolitan shopping, day spas, more than 150 restaurants and bars, award-winning vineyards, and budget to five-star accommodation options make Queenstown one of the world’s top holiday destinations no matter what the season or the weather.“

Snow storms have dumped up to two metres of fresh powder on the region’s six ski fields in just a week, and now blue skies are in the forecast for the start of the New Zealand school holidays.

Queenstown’s closest ski field Coronet Peak has received approximately 0.9m of snow in the past week, while ‘sister’ ski field The Remarkables has notched up 0.8m and has just opened its Shadow Basin terrain.

Cardrona Alpine Resort has received 1.15m of accumulated snow fall since opening day and today launched its new Valley View Quad chair.  

Snow Park NZ has received 1.2m since opening on 30 June, while cross country ski area Snow Farm has also been blanketed with 1.2m of white gold. 

Treble Cone ski area has been inundated with snow, receiving at least two metres in the last week (1.8m fell in the car park alone) and ski area staff are grooming and opening up new terrain daily.

The timing of the snowfall meant many Australians visiting Queenstown during their school holidays were able to make the most of it. 

Mr Everitt said Queenstown was once again proving to be a “very attractive short-haul winter holiday destination for Australians” with more flights, attractive deals and positive exchange rates adding impetus to the already strong Australian visitor market.

Domestic and trans-Tasman flight schedules have been boosted into Queenstown for the winter season.  There are now 30 trans-Tasman flights from Air New Zealand, Qantas, Pacific Blue and Jetstar flying direct into Queenstown each week as well as regular domestic connections from Air New Zealand and Jetstar.

To plan your trip to Queenstown, visit www.queenstown-nz.co.nz.

ENDS

Photo captions (click attached files to download high resolution images):

1/ Snow heaven at Cardrona Alpine Resort looking towards Captains Pizzeria

Cardrona Alpine Resort looking towards Captains JPEG Image: 626 KB, 92 seconds @ 56kbps

2/ Snow Park NZ (please credit Snow Park NZ)

Snow Park NZ JPEG Image: 374 KB, 55 seconds @ 56kbps

3/ View from Coronet Peak towards The Remarkables after snow fall

View from Coronet Peak towards The Remarkables after snow fall JPEG Image: 1.49 MB, 3.7 minutes @ 56kbps

4/ Treble Cone

Treble Cone JPEG Image: 706 KB, 103 seconds @ 56kbps

For more information please contact:
Jen Andrews
Communications Manager
Destination Queenstown
Phone: +64 3 441 0707
Email:  jena@queenstownnz.co.nz