2009 Ski Season Has Now Begun
Posted on 23. Jun, 2009 by Campbell in Inside New Zealand, What's New?
What is your idea of the perfect ski holiday? Great snow? Gentle slopes, or steeps for thrills? A variety of resorts? A buzzing après scene and the backdrop of picturesque scenery? Look no further as New Zealand has all this plus more, and is about to become the ideal winter paradise for your next ski holiday. Preparations are well underway for the season ahead, which is promising to be one of the best.
Forget recession, and head to the snow. If the snow is good, skiers and snow boarders will head to the slopes regardless – the word from those in the know is that the 2009 New Zealand ski season is going to be another record breaker.
After a bumper 2008 ski season – with plenty of snow and international tourists boosting visitor numbers to record levels, New Zealand’s ski tourism industry is in a positive frame for the 2009 winter season.
Most ski areas are on New Zealand’s ‘backbone’ – the spectacular Southern Alps which run the length of the South Island offering a series of ski resorts that are easily accessed from a variety of destinations.
North Island visitors can ski on Mt Ruapehu, one of a cluster of active volcanoes sited on the New Zealand segment of the ‘Pacific Rim of Fire’.
New Zealand ski areas offer a variety of terrain with conditions suited to beginners through to advanced and off-piste skiers. There have also been significant developments with terrain parks offering riders extra thrills and spills.
The 2009 ski season has now begun, officially 1 June to 31 August! However, most ski fields will open to the public on the 20th June, with Coronet Peak opening on the 6th June!