The Remarkables ski area in Queenstown is all set for opening day on Saturday June 16th  with some little helpers to kick start the season.

 Natural snow fall and cold temperatures allowing consistent snow making this past week means The Remarkables will open with on-trail snow depths of up to 20cm – with a very cold snap and expected snow in the short-term forecast.

Alta Chair and Sugar Bowl Chair will fire up on Saturday giving skiers and snowboarders access to early intermediate and intermediate runs, and two magic carpets in the learner’s area will also open for beginners.

The ‘Big Park’ will open with up to seven snowboard and skier features, and beginners features will be set up on Casterway. 

The Remarkables ski area team has recruited eight keen young students from Remarkables Primary School to help them out on opening day, after they were chosen as the winners of a snow art competition to depict their ‘home’ ski area.

 The Remarkables Ski Area Manager Ross Lawrence said it was going to be a great fun launch, especially with the youngsters involved.

 “We’re all set to open and crank it up for the season and our team just can’t wait,” he said.

 “It’s fantastic to be opening on time and great news for Queenstown, and especially as we’re such a family-friendly ski area it’s perfect to have some local kids giving us a hand when we launch,” he said.

 Two Remarkables Primary students will be kept busy helping Mr Lawrence in a number of roles around the mountain, two more will be hosting and giving out Meadow Fresh flavoured milk and Tararua Real Iced Coffee to those waiting for the first chair at 9am, another two will ride the first chairlift of the season with their friends Spike and Shred, and finally The Remarkables General Manager of Operations Ed Bezett will have two helpers completing his duties around the mountain.

Kids 10 and under ski free at The Remarkables for the entire season. For more information go to www.nzski.com

 For general Queenstown ski and snowboard information click here.