Coronet Peak
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Coronet Peak is a skifield in New Zealand operated by Southern Alpine Recreation Ltd. It is located 18 kilometres to the northeast of the town of Queenstown and seven kilometres west of Arrowtown, on the southern slopes of the 1,649 metre peak which shares its name. The Peak is one of New Zealand's most popular ski resorts due to its proximity to Queenstown, varied terrain and superb facilities, offering a high speed quad chairlift, high speed six-seater chairlift and excellent beginner areas. The view from the skifield south across Lake Wakatipu and the smaller nearby Lake Hayes is breathtaking.
Coronet Peak has extensive snowmaking and is one of the last skifields in the Southern Hemisphere to lose its snow, the season typically runs from early June to mid-October. It is the only skifield in New Zealand to offer night skiing on Friday and Saturday nights from July to mid-September and those wanting some quiet time on the slopes can do so between 8am-9am when First Tracks operates. Coronet Peak (and nearby mountains) are popular locations for school trips in the Oceanic region because it is one of the few locations at the time of their holidays to remain skiable. Children 6 and under receive free day lift passes.
The mountain is currently undergoing a NZ$20 million redevelopment including a new base building and over 100 new snow cannons. The work is due to finish in time for the 08/09 season.
Popular runs on Coronet Peak include Big Easy(beginners), M1, Greengates and Shirtfront(intermediate), and Exchange Drop and the Back Bowls(expert).
Coronet Peak is often the site of calendared international ski races and the training ground for many world class athletes.
Southern Alpine Recreation Ltd also manages The Remarkables skifield just across the valley, multi day lift tickets are valid at both mountains. Mount Hutt in Canterbury, near to Christchurch is also managed by Southern Alpine.
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