Private ski area set to reopen

A skier looks over Soho Basin's terrain. PHOTO: MICHAEL THOMAS
A skier looks over Soho Basin's terrain. PHOTO: MICHAEL THOMAS
Privately owned ski area Soho Basin is set to reopen this month after a lack of snow ruined last season.

Spokeswoman Sophie Laycock said it had bookings from the end of the month through to September, but some more snow was needed.

``We only like to operate in really good conditions, which is why we're holding off a little bit.

``There's more snow in the forecast, so it's looking good.''

Consisting of three linked basins on the other side of the ridge from Cardrona Alpine Resort, the ski area opened in 2015.

Skiers are taken to the top of the runs in snowcat groomers.

Ms Laycock said that last season was ``terrible'', a lack of snow meaning the ski area opened for only a couple of days.

Most customers were expected to come from Australia or domestically. Numbers were restricted to a maximum of 24 people a day, costing $685 each, but groups could have exclusive use for $15,000 a day.

Operated by Glencoe Station Ltd, a company linked to property developer John Darby, the ski area covers about 260ha on Glencoe Station.

The Queenstown Lakes District Council granted the company a resource consent to build a 1.2km-long, six-person chairlift in 2015.

Ski area manager Hamish McCrostie said he could not comment on any further development of the ski area.

Independent back-country users can still visit the ski area, provided they notify the operator and fill out an ``assumption of risk and liability'' form.

 

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