Wanaka bids adieu to a fantastic ski season for 2006
Resorts in Wanaka closed up on October 8, 2006 after huge increases at Treble Cone. Skier visits for 2004 (a record year) were surpassed by 10%, anda huge 40% increase on 2005 skier visits.
Treble Cone’s events this September have included a FIS ski racing event (includes international ski racers racing to lower their points on the world cup circuit) and the Fire Fighter Champs.
Cardrona’s four children’s centres have seen a huge number of happy and contented though somewhat exhausted families throughout the holidays. Half way through September Cardrona had the ski racing finals for older kids with Cardrona’s HPC ski team taking most of the honours.
Cardrona Alpine Resort geared up to host the biggest party and competition ever seen before on the slopes in New Zealand , the inaugural Coca-Cola Cardrona Games. The Games comprised freestyle skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, FMX (motorcycle big air) mixed with live music, and took hold of the resort from September 7 to 10.
Snow Park NZ had a record 38,000 people visit the resort this year, up significantly on the last few years. “We have grown each year exponentially, and we are still on the up and up,” brand manager Claire Jackson said.
The resort has also grown with the September opening of Snow Park Village, which includes overnight backpacker-style accommodation as well as the first on-mountain luxury apartments in New Zealand. Snow Park NZ also hosted several events, including the Burton NZ Open and the New Zealand launch of MTV. More events, including the Chop Olympics, are scheduled before the resort closes for the year on October 15.
Snow Farm experienced its best season ever this year, with early snow falls ensuring great snow for the rest of the season. Several events held over winter attracted large numbers, proving that the sport of cross-country skiing is growing, assistant manager Caroline McDowie said.
Cross-country ski teams from the United States, Japan, and the Canadian Disabled Team were all at Snow Farm throughout August. Members of each of these national teams competed in the FIS races, battling for valuable points.
Lake Wanaka Tourism chief executive John Alldred said the month of July had the highest number of bed nights for that month in 10 years. There has also been a 100% increase in available commercial beds in three years, and the entertainment and hospitality infrastructure has also grown significantly.
“We’ve had multiple reports from visitors from all over praising the best ski conditions in years,” Alldred said.
For further information on Lake Wanaka during the winter, visit www.skilakewanaka.com.
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