The opening weekend of the annual Winter Games New Zealand added a sporting flavour to Cardrona Alpine Resort, the Big Air World Cup contest offering the chance to watch some of the world's best winter sport athletes.
Thousands enjoyed the atmosphere at the skifield over the weekend at Cardrona, which is one of six venues hosting this year's event.
Cardrona communications executive Jen Houltham said there was a sizeable influx of people for the Winter Games event.
"The regular guests get the added bonus of getting to watch some of the best in action."
"There was a really good crowd there.
"We had Zoi Sadowski-Synnott competing on Friday, so everyone was rooting for the locals. It was a really good spectacle on Saturday."
A group of holiday makers from Australia spent the second last day of their week-long trip at Cardrona on Saturday.
"Before we booked, we looked it up," Luke Doherty, of Sydney, said.
"We noticed the Big Air was here and the slalom was at Coronet Peak."
Fellow holiday-maker Alana Martin said the group had prime viewing spots in the sun for the Big Air men's finals.
"It's usually on the same week as student break," he said.
His parents, Graeme and Mary Pinfold, had travelled down from Auckland for a 10-day holiday.
"We have lots of friends down here," Mrs Pinfold said.
"It is sort of an annual occasion."
