The Remarkables is set to benefit from a major upgrade as the skifield's owners prepare for the coming ski season.
All three of the Queenstown-based company NZSki skifields (it also owns Coronet Peak and Mt Hutt, near Methven in Canterbury) are being upgraded, but after thorough upgrades at Coronet Peak over the past two years, including a new base building and an arsenal of snow guns, the Remarkables gets the biggest overhaul this year.
NZSki chief executive James Coddington declined to reveal how much the company was spending on upgrades, but said it had been a "summer of significant investments".
The base building at the Remarkables will be upgraded, with new dining facilities, split into a restaurant area and a cafe serving light meals and drinks.
The kitchen is being updated with new equipment and the restaurant gets new furniture.
"We have also updated the menu to a broader selection of dishes and lots of healthy options," Mr Coddington said.
Out on the ski area, all three terrain parks are getting new features and there will be a few surprises for children.
"A series of `kids-only' trails are being constructed. They are for children of different abilities, and are packed with fun features, such as little jumps and tunnels, for them to explore," he said.
The access road, which had safety barriers installed along part of its 13km length last year, will also get a major reconditioning.
"The road is getting a thorough resurfacing, which required removing some of the top layers and building up new metal layers. It should be a great improvement."
To enhance its transport system, NZSki has expanded its bus fleet with three new four-wheel-drive buses.
Over at Coronet Peak, the main upgrade will be replacing the two-seater beginners' chairlift to a four-seater lift.
Mr Coddington said this would ease the pressure on an area of the mountain which was often congested on busy days.
Coronet Peak is undergoing earthworks over the summer, especially around the learners' areas, to keep the trails in good shape.
Mt Hutt is also getting a facelift this year with a refurbished restaurant and kitchen, earthworks and an upgrade of the access road.
Out on the skifield, the beginners are in for a surprising new experience.
The three skifields are scheduled to open in June, and "early bird" season passes go on sale on February 12.
