Queenstown's largest employer struggled to maintain snow conditions in the face of rainy, warm weather during the 2013 winter snow sports season, NZSki revealed yesterday.
The company successfully negotiated to raise its electricity supply cap from 4.2MW to 5MW to power snow-making machines, compensate for snow droughts and meet the expectations of tens of thousands of domestic and international guests.
NZSki chief executive Paul Anderson updated members of the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce yesterday on how the 16-week 2013 ski season performed.
Mr Anderson said it was a challenge when warm temperatures did not allow snow-making guns to work effectively for days at a time, but ''all guns were blazing'' when they could.
Visitor numbers started to decline after the school holiday period, particularly at Coronet Peak. With the ski area being close to Queenstown, people could see from afar what appeared to be scrub poking through the thin blanket of snow.
Coronet Peak ski area manager Ross Copland said the winter on the mountain had been 1.2degC warmer than usual. A snow base of 80cm in June was down to 37cm by the end of the month due to 268mm of rain.
Snowfall in July improved conditions, but another snow drought occurred until the end of August.
Completion of international Winter Games NZ events at Coronet Peak, on August 15 to 25, was ''by the absolute skin of our teeth,'' Mr Copland said.
The higher-altitude Remarkables fared better, with a consistent snow base and all facilities remaining open from the start of the season, which was why the closing dates for the ski areas were switched.
The introduction of free public Wi-Fi was successful, with guests keen to share content of their experience via social media, which meant free promotion of both ski areas.
Feedback told NZSki chairlift queue organisation and the waiting line for food and beverages were improved. Remarkables ski area manager Ross Lawrence said a southeasterly blanket of snow at the start of the season and consistently colder temperatures helped maintain the snow base.
The events programme was well supported by residents, which created an atmosphere overseas guests enjoyed.
New smoke-free rules were ''well respected'' and the number of discarded cigarette butts staff had to pick up was greatly reduced.
Mr Anderson, formerly of Christchurch, took over as chief executive from James Coddington on August 5, about one month into the season.
Mr Anderson told chamber guests he was interested in their feedback on how NZSki was performing and said the company recognised its part in the Wakatipu economy.
''It's important for us you're all supporting us, because this community is the best ambassador we could have for ski visitors,'' he said.
Snow business
NZSki's 2013 ski season:
• Remarkables visitor numbers up 14% on the 2012 season.
• Coronet Peak visitor numbers down 4.7% on the previous season.
• Number of injuries at the Remarkables down 38%, helped by terrain clearance last summer
• Ten 4WD buses travelled 293,683km carrying 104,904 passengers to and from Remarkables, which took 350 vehicles off access roads.
