Skiers and snowboarders are encouraged to log onto www.nzski.com within the next month to snap up the very best deals for this year’s winter season passes to New Zealand’s premier ski areas. 

The Early Bird range of passes for Coronet Peak, Mt Hutt and The Remarkables is on sale from midnight, Thursday 11 February until midnight, Thursday 11 March and offers the best possible prices for those who buy online at www.nzski.com.

Price increases this year reflect the ongoing investment programme in the ski areas as well as other upward external price pressures, but have been kept to a minimum says David Ovendale, NZSki General Manager - Sales and Marketing. “Economic reality has driven increases that add $100 to most pass types,” said Mr Ovendale. “With a season that generally runs over 100 days, we believe these still represent great value for money.  Also, subject to pass type, further value is added with the inclusion of discounts on a number of NZSki products as well as discounts at other New Zealand ski areas and internationally.”

The Early Bird time payment option is again available allowing people to pay for their passes in three installments.  This option is only available online for Early Bird purchases and for sales through www.nzski.com and is designed to help people manage their cash flow more easily, specifically local families, many of whom buy multiple passes. 

“We are committed to providing New Zealand’s premier snow experience and to keeping prices within reach of as many New Zealanders as possible.  However our ongoing efforts to deliver a world class experience both in terms of service delivery and capital works and the reality of increased costs on a number of fronts have necessitated an increase after no change in 2009,” Mr Ovendale says.

People are strongly encouraged to purchase online at www.nzski.com for the best possible prices and to take advantage of the Early Bird time payment option. Application forms can be downloaded from the website and are also available from the Snow Centres in Queenstown and Methven and at leading ski retailers around the country.  Physical, postal and fax applications will incur a $20 administration fee.

For those likely to ski or board at Mt Hutt, Coronet Peak and The Remarkables the nzskipass is just the ticket.  At $999 for an adult and $699 youth (age 7 -17 years) and senior (age 65 – 74), the nzskipass offers unlimited skiing and riding for the 2010 season at Coronet Peak, Mt Hutt and The Remarkables.  It also includes 50% discounts on lift tickets at other international Leading Mountain Resorts ski areas as part of the Endless Winter programme.  A range of additional benefits* including discounts at other ski areas in New Zealand and the USA are also covered by the pass.  See the website for full details. 

The Queenstown Pass, for those who ski or ride mostly in Queenstown, is on offer at $799 for an adult and $499 youth (age 7 – 17 years) and senior (age 65 – 74 years).  It offers unlimited skiing and riding for the 2010 season at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables plus a 50% discount on day passes at Mt Hutt.  It also includes 50% discounts on lift tickets at numerous ski areas at the other international Leading Mountain Resorts ski areas as part of the Endless Winter programme.  A range of additional benefits* including discounts at other ski areas in New Zealand and the USA are also covered by the pass.
 
The Mt Hutt Pass, at $679 for an adult and $429 youth (age 7 – 17 years) and senior (age 65 – 74 years), offers unlimited skiing and riding for the 2010 season at Mt Hutt.  It also includes a 50% discount on day lift passes at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables and a range of additional benefits* including discounts at other ski areas in New Zealand and the USA.

The Remarkables Pass, at $449 for an adult, $349 student and $249 youth (age 11 – 17 years) and senior (age 65 – 74 years), offers unlimited skiing and riding for the 2010 season at The Remarkables.  It also includes Frequent Card discounts at Coronet Peak and Mt Hutt and 50% discounts on lift tickets at other international Leading Mountain Resorts ski areas as part of the Endless Winter programme. A range of additional benefits* including discounts at other ski areas in New Zealand and the USA are also offered on this pass. 

The Mt Hutt Midweek Pass, at $429 for an adult and $329 student, $299 youth (age 7 – 17 years) and senior (age 65 – 74 years), offers unlimited skiing and riding for the 2010 season Monday to Friday only at Mt Hutt.

 On weekends at Mt Hutt and at any time at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables the pass holder is entitled to a Frequent Card discount on day lift tickets.  This pass offers midweek day pass discounts at Ohau Snow Fields and Snow Park NZ.  On weekends full day pass rates are charged at these areas.

All children aged six and under will receive free day lift passes at Coronet Peak and Mt Hutt while all children aged 10 and under will receive free day lift passes at The Remarkables.  Or for convenience, a season pass can be issued to these customers for a $20 administration fee

The First Tracks add-on for Coronet Peak is available for $195.  The add-on offers an early morning experience between 8 and 9am when the Coronet Express chair will open as conditions and operational requirements allow.  The First Tracks add-on is designed for those who want the earliest possible access to untracked powder or freshly groomed runs, and is perfect for Queenstown people who are able to ski or board outside office hours.

The Queenstown Transport add-on once again offers unlimited transport on the Green and Blue NZSki Snowlines to and from the Queenstown Snow Centre to The Remarkables and Coronet Peak for only $195 for the entire season.  Seats are available on a first in, first served basis.

The Early Bird offers are only available until 11 March 2010, after which prices will increase to a shoulder (12 March – 4 June 2010) and then a main season rate.

* Subject to pass type, additional benefits include discounts on day lift passes at Whakapapa, Turoa, Porters, Cheeseman, Mt Dobson, Mt Lyford, Mt Olympus, Rainbow, Temple Basin, Ohau and SnowPark NZ.

Discounts are also offered at Aspen, Colorado, and at participating Leading Mountain Resorts of the World ski areas.  All season pass holders are entitled to the following discounts at Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt: 25% discount on afternoon group lessons (subject to availability), 10% discount at the on mountain retail outlets, (does not apply to sale items or other special offers) and 10% discount off workshop/repairs.

ENDS

Further information: www.nzski.com
David Ovendale, NZSki Ltd General Manager - Sales and Marketing. Tel: 03 450 1979, email: david@nzski.com