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 The Stats: Elevation: 1649m Where: Closest ski area to Queenstown, about 25 mins drive (18km) What's "The Peak" really like? More terrain than on most mountains five times the size with a myriad of different ways "down". Even those of us who have skied The Peak season after season, can still find new fun runs and surprises.
It's the 3rd steepest ski area in NZ averaging 27 degrees of pitch. Mostly intermediate and advanced terrain although the beginners slopes have been extended to increase capacity. Previous seasons have occassionally seen 'standing room only' on the beginner slopes. Coronet can suffer from 'Loud Powder' and in springtime due to its low altitude (the base building is at 1200m), it can melt and re-freeze so good edges are pretty handy! The extensive snowmaking system improves every year in both volume/coverage and quality, in fact there are over 200 fully automated guns which means that coverage is extended over virtually the whole mountain. Powder at Coronet tends to be on the heavyish side, seldom getting more than 30cm of fresh at a time. You want to get there early on powder days as the locals will utilizing their First Tracks (8-9am) passes for sure. The off-piste is extensive and wicked! There is night skiing mid July to mid Sept which is also great fun. New for 2008: Where to start!! VERY EXCITING developments are underway over the summer and scheduled for May 08 completion. Snowmaking capabilities are being radically increased with the addition of two new reservoirs and pump houses to help feed 138 new fixed position, fully automated snow guns. This will bring the total number of guns to over 200 which will be located across all the main trails. NZSKI tell us that under optimum snow making conditions, all trails including those in Rocky Gully, could be opened within 10 days. WOW! The central core of M1, Big Easy and beginner areas will only take 3 days of continuous snowmaking to be fully operational! Further good news is that the new automated system allows for every possible window of snowmaking conditions to be maximised. As if this wasn't enough, the base building has pretty much been demolished and a new Michael Wyatt designed building is underway. The "new" building will feature a deck which will more than double the old deck size, plus a new 'west wing'. The new wing will provide protection for the deck from prevailing weather and house a new brasserie. The redeveloped building will also contain a new cafe, bar & coffee service area as well as a function room, all arranged around a new central kitchen. There will also be expanded creche facilities. |
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