Preparing to open the new Shadow Basin chairlift at the Remarkables Ski Area yesterday are (from left) MP for Southland Joseph Mooney, Finance Minister Nicola Willis, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and head of NZSki Paul Anderson.
The new $23 million lift will allow for 2400 riders an hour, up from 1500 riders and takes just four minutes to get to the top.
Mr Luxon, who took a ride on the new lift with Mrs Willis after opening it, said it was "the most fun thing Nicola and I have got to open over the last seven months".
The new six-seater lift replaces the former Shadow Basin chairlift, which was 38 years old and had four seats.
Photo: Olivia Judd
Mr Luxon acknowledged Sir John Davies, former Queenstown Lakes district mayor and owner of Trojan Holdings, which owns NZSki, highlighting his impact on New Zealand’s tourism industry.
"Skiing in Queenstown generates $400 million into the local economy, and that is only possible with people like Sir John Davies’ investment."
