It's snowtime

By PAUL RUSH

Crisp winter nights have dusted the slopes with fine white powder and the annual snowfest is under way.

Dedicated skiers with a passion for powder are ready for epic days of breathtaking blue skies, trackless powder, candlelit dinners and inviting log fires.

Snowboarders, who make up 40 per cent of visitors to South Island ski areas, are dreaming of carving up the slopes and catching big air in perfectly groomed halfpipes and terrain parks.

Wanaka and Queenstown are bound to generate enough energy and excitement this season to take the chill off the winter air - if the national grid could capture it the country's power shortages would be a thing of the past.

Queenstown's Winter Festival will certainly raise the temperature with all the razzle-dazzle of the parade, fireworks display, competition events and non-stop party action. For now though the ski field staff are bursting to welcome the crowds.

The matinee performance of this annual extravaganza of colour and spectacle was the opening of Coronet Peak on June 19. Treble Cone should open in a week's time and Cardrona opened at the weekend. The Remarkables is to open on June 28 and Waiorau Snow Farm opened last week. Mt Hutt is also operational.

An excellent snow base is building and all the signs are pointing to a fantastic season.

These southern lakes ski fields have distinctive features, and together they offer something for everyone - easy access to fresh powder slopes, groomed trails, children's programmes, rental gear and home comforts at the bases. This adds up to 100 per cent pure New Zealand adventure with the bonus of breathtaking lake and alpine views - so even if you don't ski, there's plenty of scenery to enjoy.

Coronet Peak

This field, known as "The Original", is New Zealand's oldest established ski area opened last Thursday. It boasts the world's longest magic carpet lift. This "people mover" conveyor belt carries learners (including toddlers) safely up the Big Easy beginner's slope, saving energy and enhancing the fun.

Southern Alpine Resort Recreation - the operators of Coronet Peak (and The Remarkables) has a new electronic system for lift attendants to use laser scanners to confirm tickets and track usage. Skiers and snowboarders can expect to spend less time in queues as a result.

The Remarkables

The scenery is stunning from this high alpine ski area set in a vast, north-facing natural amphitheatre. Entertainment is the theme, with music on the sun deck and a great party atmosphere.

The north-facing field has a huge off-piste range and its Homeward Bound trail is New Zealand's best open run.

A new Alta quad chairlift has been installed to replace the double Alta - increasing capacity to 2000 people an hour. From the top of the quad a new Turquoise trail with a consistent gradient provides an ideal first progression from novice to intermediate slopes. Again laser scanners will be used at the chairlifts to speed queue processing. The car parking capacity has been increased to 520 parks.

Treble Cone

This is the biggest and steepest ski field in the South Island - a special place for powder hounds, with legendary off-piste skiing and snowboarding.

The views are awe-inspiring and Treble Cone has an "X" factor quality that makes it an iconic ski destination.

Treble Cone Investments has improved the base complex dining area to include a new bar, cafe and sundeck, doubling the seating capacity to 400. A retail area has been added and the rental equipment stock has been boosted to 350 carving skis and 120 snowboards. Terrain improvements include the addition of a dedicated international race training facility.

Cardrona

Being higher and colder than the other areas, Cardrona gets brilliant snow cover on its superb terrain. The field's operators planned to open last Saturday by starting up both quad chairs, the full learners area and base facilities.

There's a rental service which allows multi-day-hire gear to be returned to the Wanaka or Queenstown offices. Last year Cardrona won the New Zealand Snowboard Association's Resort of the Year award for the third year running.

Cardrona Alpine Resort has a new three-storey building which the owners say is the best on-mountain children's facility in the country. The top level has a "ski-in-ski-out" Noodle Bar with expansive decks overlooking the nursery slopes which will open next week. The lower levels are devoted to children, with a registered childcare centre for 3- to 5-year-olds called Ski Korral. A Child's Play ski programme gives the under-5s a 40-minute private lesson on the snow. A new Kids Club for 5- to 12-year-olds offers a fully supervised lesson and lunch programme.

Waiorau Farm

New Zealand's only Nordic cross-country ski field is accessed from the Crown Range Rd directly opposite the Cardrona Hotel. Waiorau is set on a broad rolling plateau high on the Pisa Range.

The 5000ha high-country farm is a dedicated terrain park providing classic skiing, ski skating, cross-country skiing and snowboarding.

Wilderness skiers can set up backcountry expeditions staying at huts placed at convenient distances from the Waiorau Lodge.

Waiorau Snow Farm has refurbished the original ski rental wing of Snow Farm Lodge. This accommodates the rental shop, ticket sales and ski school in one location.

Rental stocks have been increased to 350 classic skis and 150 skating skis. A new Chamois loop trail has been added to the Hanging Valley Trail, and Meadow Hut has been upgraded.

CASE NOTES

Getting there

By air: Auckland to Queenstown. Direct services daily 10am, 1.30pm (Sun to Fri); 2.25pm (Sat)

By road: Christchurch to Queenstown 6 1/2 hrs; Wanaka to Queenstown 1 1/2 hour

Queenstown to Coronet Peak 25 minutes; Wanaka to Cardrona/Waiorau 35 minutes

Queenstown to The Remarkables 45 minutes; Wanaka to Treble Cone 45 minutes

What it costs

Holiday packages (three days ex Auckland) includes airfares, share twin accommodation, car hire, lift pass $700-$800

Season passes

Typical costs: adult $1000 to $1600; teenager $200; child $120

Day lift passes

Typical costs: adult $65; child $33

Snow reports

Ph: 0900 47669 (when the season is under way)

Where to stay

Cardrona is the only field with accommodation on the slopes (10 self-catering studio, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments). Email info@cardrona.com

The full range of hotel, motel and backpacker accommodation is available in Queenstown and Wanaka.