Concrete keas keep watch

A giant concrete kea sculpture stands guard over the Alpine Hut at the Remarkables ski area....
A giant concrete kea sculpture stands guard over the Alpine Hut at the Remarkables ski area. Photo supplied.
The small resident kea population at the Remarkables ski area near Queenstown has been supplemented by three permanent, but very flightless, additions.

A 1.9m high, poured concrete kea sculpture, by Arrowtown artist Conor McNicholas, was recently unveiled overlooking the Stash trail and Alpine Hut, joining two smaller (1.4m high) birds which greet visitors at the entrance to the terrain park, used by skiers and snowboarders.

Ski area manager Ross Lawrence said the completion of the biggest sculpture completed a project begun last summer, following similar back-to-nature themes adopted by only a select few ski areas overseas.

At one North American field a large yeti-like creature, dubbed "Shreddie" was carved from a tree.

Keas were chosen as the theme at the Remarkables, although there were only about eight to 10 birds resident these days.

It is expected the three sculptures will prove popular with camera-toting tourists, but Mr Lawrence warned anyone wanting a photograph of the most recent installation faced a "bit of a hike" as it is not sign-posted.

Visitors were welcome at the ski area at any time. The ski season is due to open on June 20.

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