A record crowd of about 6000 crowded the ski area for the final day of the 2008 festival yesterday.
A spectacular laser light show to end the festival played on the slopes to the sounds of dDub, while hundreds of skiers and riders took to the slopes last night for some night skiing in near perfect conditions.
Despite a chilly -2degC and overcast conditions at the start to the day yesterday, cars were crawling up the mountain bumper-to-bumper by 7.30am and car parks were full before the first ski tows started at 8am.
By the time action got under way just after midday for the Mountain Mayhem events - postponed from Saturday because of the snowfall - thousands of skiers and riders were already crowded around Coronet Peak's new base building to see the annual dash for cash and suitcase race down the slopes.
Festival organisers were yesterday celebrating with the crowds after what has proved to be an ideal run for this year's event.
Festival director Sally Feinerman said she was thrilled by the way this year's event had gone.
"It's been a dream run - absolutely fantastic.
We couldn't have asked for better."
Even the final-weekend snow proved a bonus, providing ideal conditions for yesterday's double programme after Saturday's schedule was postponed.
Ms Feinerman said yesterday's crowd was a record for a Queenstown festival final day.
Coronet Peak sales manager Hamish McCrostie said yesterday's huge crowd was the perfect test for the skifield's new base building facilities.
"It went very, very well.
Obviously, with that number of people, you expect a few glitches, but generally people were very patient."
He said the weekend's snowfall came at the perfect time for the school holidays.
"Plus we've made a lot of extra snow to top it up."
The snowfall was also a bonus for the last day of the festival, Mr McCrostie added.
"It's been a real party - a great way to to finish the festival."
Across the mountains, Wanaka's skifields also received good falls of fresh snow during the weekend's southerly blast.
Treble Cone had 12cm of fresh snow on Saturday and now has a 60cm base in the Home Basin.
The Saddle Basin is expected to open soon,a spokeswoman said.
Cardrona received 20cm of snow on Saturday and it continued to fall intermittently throughout yesterday.
The skifield was closed on Saturday due to a combination of poor visibility and high winds.
Partial operations resumed yesterday, but the Captains Basin remained closed and caused queues on the McDougall's and Whitestair chair lifts, as skiers and snowboarders rushed to the mountain to take advantage of conditions.
About 20cm also fell on Pisa Range skifields Snow Park and Snow Farm.
Cool temperatures remain ideal for snow-making at freestyle terrain facility Snow Park, where there is a base of 50cm.
Cross-country skiers have a good covering of fresh groomed snow available on all the trails at Snow Farm.
