Mountain summer

Press, 12 November 1985, Page 22

Mountain summer

Chairlifts and skiers will give way to gondolas and sightseers on The Remark- | ables, Queenstown, this summer. The ski area, which ■ opened last winter, will be- ■ come an alpine recreation ! area from mid-December. j Six six-passenger gondolas j will carry sightseers from ; the base amenities building ; to an observation point 1980 ? metres above sea level. ’ The point commands a i magnificent view of the j Wakatipu Basin, and the ride gives people the chance to see the scenery, flora and fauna characteristic of The i Remarkables. Trampers, walkers, climbers > and naturalists ’ will benefit from the development of the area. The 14-kilometre road up the mountain gives easy access to Lake Alta, a little lake nestling at the base of Double Cone, tarns, and the mountains generally. Already a group of alpine garden enthusiasts, with representatives from as far away as The United States, has visited the area. Of particular interest to this group were the alpine flowers beginning to come through as the snow thaws. Staff are converting the i main lift from chairs to

gondolas and forming a walking track to the observation point. A revegetation

programme is also in full swing to return disturbed land to its natural state.