An increasing number of Australian snow enthusiasts are choosing to travel across the Tasman to hit the slopes, and its national carrier and ski wholesalers are responding with easier access, more diversity, and cheaper packages.
Australia is the number one source market for New Zealand’s alpine areas, with over 50,000 expected to visit the ski fields this year. Travellers can expect to enjoy enhanced on-mountain features as well as a number of activities off the slopes.
“One of the key differences is that a ski holiday in New Zealand is focused on the resort towns located at the base of the ski areas. This is where it all ‘happens’ in terms of accommodation and après ski action,” NZ Ski Marketing Group, Trish May said earlier this week in Sydney at the official launch of the NZ ski season.
Australians are typically expected to spend on average seven days on a ski holiday to New Zealand of which four to five days are spent on the slopes. Most Australian visitors plan their trips up to three months in advance and book their ski packages with travel agents.
In order to accommodate the influx of passengers to the ski areas, Air New Zealand has announced additional capacity into Queenstown from Australia by 47 per cent, as well as a second directly weekly service between Brisbane and Queenstown and an extended operating period for existing direct services from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
“The second service offers more flexibility for ski itineraries and the ability for the wholesaling market to come out with products fitting consumer needs,” Air New Zealand, General Manager Australia, Michael Reed said.
“With this year’s capacity increase, we now have a total of 11,000 seats direct into Queenstown for the full season,” Mr Reed said.
Mr Reed said that with the additional capacity, easy access and affordable fares, the New Zealand ski market are in direct competition for Australian resorts.
However, according to Tourism New Zealand’s Regional Manager for Australia, Gregg Anderson, New Zealand presents a year round destination for travellers, and should not be limited to visiting during the ski season only.
“Using the resort towns as a base allows Australians to enjoy a range of other winter attractions and adrenalin pumping activities on offer, as well as skiing and boarding,” Mr Anderson said.
New Zealand is recognized as a world class skiing destination, with more than 130,000 international skiers and boarders using their facilities in 2004.
On mountain improvements includes a snowmaking upgrade at Coronet Peak, Mt Hutt as well as a $2 million investment at Cardrona. Visitors to The Remarkables can also expect extensive development of their snowmaking to ensure top to bottom coverage and good skiing/riding from early in the season.
Treble Cone are undergoing trail enhancements on their trails to provide more expansive beginner and intermediate groomed trails, and more snowmaking has been installed to expand to 30 snow guns.
A further $15 million investment will be made at Mt Ruapehu, Whakapapa and Turoa over the next five years with improvements made to infrastructure, car parking and snow making.
A variety of ski packages have been released with some wholesalers offering Earlybird deals valid for booking until 30 April 2006.
