Winter Games NZ announced yesterday 10 events will be held in Queenstown and Wānaka between August 23 and September 9.
But the big one is the return of the two FIS World Cups, snowboard slopestyle and freeski halfpipe, at Cardrona for the first time since 2019.
They also mark the start of the lead-in to the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in 2026, where the points from the FIS events count for Olympic qualification.
Two FIS Australia New Zealand Cups (snowboard halfpipe and freeski slopestyle) will also be held at Cardrona.
The North Face Frontier 2-star and 4-star freeride world qualifier events will be held at The Remarkables and the FIS Australia New Zealand Cup giant slalom and two FIS Australia New Zealand Cup slalom races will be held at Coronet Peak.
Winter Games NZ chief executive Marty Toomey was rapt to have an extensive calendar and the World Cups returning to New Zealand.
"[The] big difference for us is the reintroductions of the World Cups, which is huge," Toomey said.
"I think it’ll certainly attract the world’s best because it’s the first of the events that are happening for the Winter Olympic qualifiers."
It was a boost to have the events spread across three quality venues in Wānaka and Queenstown.
"It gives us an opportunity for those resorts to actually showcase what they’re really good at.
"They’re three world-class venues.
"We can get the free ride events over at the home of free ride at The Remarkables, we’ve got Coronet Peak, which is a world-class alpine destination, and the park and pipe events held at Cardrona in [another] world-class venue."
Toomey hoped the community would support the event and "be inspired by it".
FIS contest director park and pipe Roby Moresi was excited about getting back to New Zealand snow.
"Visiting New Zealand has always been special with a great vibe. We are all looking forward to travelling down to New Zealand once again," Moresi said.
