Queenstown on line for top season

Press, 1 June 1989, Page 34

Queenstown on line for top season

Queenstown is ready and waiting for the magical white stuff which will transform it into a winter playground and the country’s top ski resort.

Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, in the heart of the southern lakes region, Queenstown is within minutes of two top ski areas — Coronet Peak, the oldest commercial ski area in the South Island, and The Remarkables.

Both are operated by the Mount Cook Line and give skiers the advantage of interchangeable lift passes, shuttle transport to the ski areas and ski school services. They are also incorporated into the company’s popular and successful ski holiday packages which include transport, shuttle transport to the ski areas, accommodation, ski-ing, guiding services and apres ski parties. During the summer, much work has gone into “reshaping” Coronet Peak’s vast terrain for the benefit of skiers. Several new trails have been created and areas at the top of the lifts improved. Coronet Peak has 280 hectares of wide-

open treeless slopes with 1500 vertical feet of skiing available, and a licensed restaurant in its award-winning base building.

Its sister ski area, The Remarkables, is located on the opposite side of the valley at 2000 metres above sea level. For the 1989 season, the quad chairlift leading to the popular Sugar Bowl basin will have its capacity increased by one-third, minimising queues. The Sugar Bowl quad chairlift is complemented by a second quad chairlift leading to the more advanced terrain in the Shadow Basin, a double chairlift and several fixed handle tows. ® The Remarkables. 24km from Queenstown, two quad chairs, double chairs, fixed grip, capacity 5100 skiers per hour. Adult lift rate: $4O. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Coronet Peak, 18km from Queenstown. double chair, triple chair, T-bar, two pomas, two fixed grips, vertical drop 459 metres, capacity 4080 skiers per hour. Adult lift rate: $4O. No road toll. Hours 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.