Skifields close with style

Hannah Aubrey, of Wanaka, sets out to brighten up the Treble Cone slopes yesterday. Photo  supplied.
Hannah Aubrey, of Wanaka, sets out to brighten up the Treble Cone slopes yesterday. Photo supplied.
Skifield closing weekend brought fine weather and crowds of happy skiers to Wanaka.

Treble Cone Ski Area and Cardrona Alpine Ski Resort both closed yesterday with traditional dress-up celebrations.

Cardrona host Carol Little said conditions and weather were "beautiful".

"Everyone is dressed up. It is great. It has been an amazing crowd today. Lots of locals, lots of kids and the snow is just superb."

While closing day was a celebration, it was also sad as staff farewelled each other before leaving to seek jobs on the other side of the world.

"I hate today because I have to say goodbye to about 110 friends," Mrs Little said.

Cardrona operations manager Gary Husband said the season had been pleasing, despite challenges presented by the dry spell in July and then September's rougher, southwesterly weather and colder temperatures.

"We are very happy with the season as a whole."

Snow Park operations manager Sam Lee was happy with the season and with closing day celebrations, which drew a large crowd on Saturday.

The Snow Park closes a day earlier than other skifields to allow people to attend other celebrations.

This year, it celebrated with a beach party afternoon of live reggae, soul and funk music by band Jah Fire and DJ Chris J.

The Snow Farm cross-country skifield is the only Wanaka field not to close, with manager Mary Lee vowing to remain open "until the people stop coming and the snow disappears".

At Treble Cone, a skiff of snow on Friday night provided firm conditions on Saturday morning.

Conditions remained good on Sunday, with hundreds of skiers enjoying pockets of powder in the saddle basin.

"We've got hundreds and hundreds of people here," Treble Cone ski area manager Jackie van der Voort said yesterday.

"We've had a very big day.

"It has been unusual weather for us this year. We didn't have the great clear skies we are known for.

"The school holidays this year have been good for us, due to the new snow the week before," she said.

The late snow convinced Coronet Peak to extend its season to the end of the school holidays next weekend, but the Wanaka fields have stuck to their chosen closing dates.

 

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