NZSki chiefs gave their most upbeat preseason briefing in years to the Wakatipu business community last night.
Chief executive James Coddington, who looks set to helm the company for the 2013 season in the absence of a replacement, told hundreds of members and guests of the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce at Crowne Plaza Queenstown ''the planets were aligning'' for the first time since 2010.
Infrastructure improvements at NZSki's Coronet Peak and Remarkables ski areas were outlined.
The company was ''very happy'' with sales of early-bird season passes, which closed on March 4, and early bookings from the key Australian market were ''encouraging'', the audience heard.
Across the Tasman, NZSki had been actively promoting its ski areas and the resort at snow travel expos. Its marketing department was working with Tourism New Zealand and Destination Queenstown to promote the value the facilities offered compared with expensive Australian ski areas.
Recruitment for 450 staff begins in earnest today, when interviews will be conducted by heads of departments, at Crowne Plaza. NZSki received more than 6000 job applications. Coronet Peak is scheduled to open on June 8 and the Remarkables on June 15.
