New terrain opening and deals for locals as first week of season wraps up

Cardrona has announced its Whitestar chairlift will start rolling from tomorrow, opening up fresh terrain to skiers and boarders one week after opening day.

However the resort is warning trails will be narrower than usual with early season conditions.

"Our teams have done an awesome job with snowmaking, grooming and prep work to make this possible," Cardrona and Treble Cone general manager Laura Hedley says.

Under McDougall's chairlift at Cardrona Alpine Resort, Monday, June 17, 2024 (Image: Supplied).

Also opening its doors tomorrow will be The Lounge, with its cheese scones and Allpress coffee, joining Base Bar and Café, and Mezz, which opened last week.

Plus, at the top of the McDougall’s chair lift, Vista is now also open for business. 

Ms Hedley says the start of the season has delivered cooler temperatures and dustings of fresh snow.

"It was awesome to welcome guests back and get that winter energy back into gear."

Meanwhile, closer to Queenstown, The Remarkables and Coronet Peak are luring locals to their slopes with the promise of cheap deals this weekend.

In its Facebook event 'Locals Day 2024' the ski field operator says it wants to show its appreciation for the "amazing community" it operates within. 

On offer are all-day lift passes for $50, with the option to add on gear hire for $25.

"Buy your Locals Day pass online ahead of time, then swing by guest services to get your proof of address validated. You can do this at the Snow Centre downtown or at Coronet Peak or The Remarkables on the day."

Anyone who has lived in Queenstown, Arrowtown, Gibbston Valley, Glenorchy, Kingston, Wānaka, Tarras, Cromwell, Hāwea, or Makarora for more than three months is eligible for the lower prices.

Locals Day passes can also be purchased on the mountains.

The Sugar Bowl chairlift opens at The Remarkables Ski Area, Wednesday, June 19, 2024 (Image: Facebook/The Remarkables).

At The Remarkables, the Sugar Bowl chairlift opened on Wednesday, while the new six-seater Shadow Basin Express is set to open later in the year.

The $23-million upgraded chairlift will have the capacity to take an extra 900 skiers and snowboarders up the slopes every hour.

Snow reports for both Queenstown ski areas caution users to stay on trails as groomers do what they can with what snowmakers have laid down.

At Coronet Peak, four out of eight lifts are open; at The Remarkables, five out of seven are.

Main image (Supplied): Cardrona Alpine Resort from above, Monday, June 17, 2024.