$35 Million Spend Planned for Queenstown Ski Areas
Two ski areas near Queenstown in New Zealand are about to see significant upgrades to their lift fleets ahead of winter 2019 in the southern hemisphere.
Coronet Peak and The Remarkables ski fields, where winter 2018 ended last month, are in line for $35 million (NZ) in upgrades including a new 6-seater express chairlift from the base of The Remarkables, opening up access to brand new trails and providing fast laps through Remarks Parks; four parks plus the Southern Hemisphere’s only Burton Stash terrain park.
The new lift is part of a large project that involves the entire redevelopment of the centre’s Sugar Bowl basin. This incorporates the new high-speed D-line Doppelmayr 6-seater chairlift starting from the base area and opening trails that were previously harder to access or off-piste.
“We have identified a new pathway up the mountain, creating a whole new trail network, adding to the existing terrain including the four terrain parks on offer. The new lift line will take guests from the base area and drop them off at the top of the parks, offering skiers/riders repeatable faster runs through The Stash, Serpentine, Cross fall and below,” said a company spokesperson.
It will open up nearly 2.5km of new trails, suited to intermediate abilities right through to black runs. The plan also includes the installation of 36 new snowguns.
At Coronet Peak, an upgraded Telemix (combined gondola/chairlift) will replace the current Coronet Express with a mix of chairs and gondola cabins. The Telemix combines a 6-seat chairlift with gondola cabins, which are ideal for sightseeing and summer operations. In winter, the lift will operate predominantly as an express chairlift, whereas in summer the chairs will be dedicated to mountain-bikers and gondola cabins will be incorporated for sightseers. The new lift is designed for a capacity of 3000 people per hour and runs efficiently at 5.0 m/sec, increasing capacity and minimising queuing time.
Following the upgrade at the Remarkables NZSki say they will next look to replace the Shadow Basin chairlift with a new high-speed lift which will position the mountain for further expansion.
“Looking further ahead the plan is to expand the ski area into The Doolans and the Remarkables will continue to talk with DOC about how this terrain can be made available to guests in the future. This would increase the skiable terrain of The Remarkables significantly with a trail network developed in what is undoubtedly some of the region’s best terrain,” an NZSki statement reads.
The lifts will be built during the 2018/19 summer in New Zealand if regulatory and Department of Conservation consents are obtained in time.
Both projects will minimise effects on the surrounding environment as part of the two areas’ operator NZSki’s sustainable slopes policy of preserving and enhancing the environment across its ski areas, the company states.
