New Zealand's premier winter sports destination, Lake Wanaka, has announced a range of new developments and products including new trails and free learner lifts for the 2009 winter season at its four alpine resorts.
Cardrona Alpine Resort is expanding its terrain facilities for the 2009 season by creating a new trail down the Arcadia Basin aimed at more advanced skiers and boarders. The new trail is being certified by FIS allowing slalom and GS races to be staged. The new trail will also have a $1m snowmaking upgrade and with this, the entire resort will be covered after extending it into Captains Basin last year.
In addition, improvements to the 22-foot superpipe and freestyle areas are being done in preparation for the inaugural Winter Games NZ as well as the LG FIS Snowboard World Cup.
Snow Park NZ has created new fun features over the summer as it maintains its dominance as the only dedicated terrain park resort in the Southern Hemisphere. Night riding and skiing will expand to three nights a week following its successful launch last year, while guests staying on the mountain at Snow Park NZ, in the luxury apartments or backpacker bunkrooms, can take advantage of the new all-inclusive accommodation packages to include breakfast and dinner served in the popular Woolshed Restaurant and Bar.
Treble Cone is offering free use of the lower mountain learner lifts all season long, to encourage beginners and families. A 90 minute complimentary guided tour of the mountain (groomed trails) is available twice daily to experience the vastness of Treble Cone's terrain. Treble Cone continues to lead the industry with its sustainable tourism practices and was recognized recently for its advancements being awarded Enviro Silver Qualmark status.
Visitors to Snow Farm can experience 50kms of world class trails with huts scattered across the Pisa Range, great for a lunch stop or overnight experience in the wilderness with a fire and outside BBQ. Bags and supplies are dropped off by snow mobile while skiers travel at their own pace. Snow Farm, New Zealand's only Nordic ski area, offers a range of lessons and experiences for all ages and abilities.
Lake Wanaka's resorts will again host many national and international events over the coming winter months bringing some spectacular action from world class athletes. Attracting many teams, with hundreds of athletes from Pacific Rim countries and beyond, Lake Wanaka's resorts will take centre stage for the Winter Games NZ 2009, the biggest snow sports event outside of the Winter Olympics.
