The fourth Winter Games NZ was officially opened at Coronet Peak yesterday with a ceremony sporting a strong New Zealand flavour.
About 1000 people attended the early evening opening at the Queenstown ski area - the first time it has been staged on snow.
A conch was sounded to call the crowd to attention before 40 members of the Queenstown alpine ski team, bearing the flags of the countries of participating athletes, skied down the shirtfront to the Coronet Peak base building.
After a performance by members of Wakatipu High School's kapa haka group - who braved the sub-zero temperatures in traditional garb - the New Zealand flag was raised and Ladi6 sang the national anthem.
Games chairman Sir Eion Edgar said it was the country's biggest recurring sporting event ''and it's going to be our best''.
It was already ranked as one of the world's top-five winter multisport events and gave New Zealand athletes an opportunity ''to perform against some of the world's best in their own backyard''.
Sir Eion said the games' off-mountain festival programme in Queenstown and Wanaka would showcase some of New Zealand's best musical talent, and include award ceremonies and the screening of international adventure films.
The games were officially opened by Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce, who said it was a ''fantastic, magical night on the mountain''.
The event ''lifted New Zealand's profile in international winter sports''.
He wished the athletes ''tremendous competition over the next nine days'', and singled out the event's 1500 volunteers for special praise.
''Without you, this event would not be able to take place.''
The opening ceremony was followed by a dual slalom ski race under floodlights, won by US ski stars Mikaela Shiffrin and Ted Ligety.
The games continue until August 30.
