Treble Cone Ski Area

The Stats:

Elevation: 2088m
Vertical: 700m
Skiable Area: 550ha
Terrain: Beginner 10%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 45%

Where:

90 mins (via Crown Range) from Queenstown or 40 mins from Wanaka.

What's TC really like?

Aaah, Treble Cone - the mere mention of the name to Kiwis conjures up images of face shots, drop offs, steep runs and burning leg muscles!

All this is true - and more. Treble Cone is one of the steepest commercial fields (only exceeded by Craigieburn Valley in Canterbury) and as such, attracts many of the country's top skiers and boarders who are keen to test their mettle against the best that Treble Cone has to offer. Amazingly, the six seater chairlift (Moro Express), leads not only to magic steeps and the legendary Matukituki Bowl, but also to Triple Treat, a green run that winds it's way back to the base! Triple Treat really is - and learners will enjoy having such long runs between chairlift rides.This won't cause you any heartache as you head out towards the Saddle T-Bar to rip in the Boundary Ridge chutes plus the truly fantastic Bullet run. Below the Saddle T-Bar lies the Saddle Chairlift, yet another lift dominated by expert and intermediate runs but serviced by a green run called Pete's Treat which ultimately hooks up with another green trail High Street from the top of Saddle T-Bar. The ski area boundary extends an additional 240 metres up from the top of the Saddle T-Bar - all that way to the 2100 metre summit. Hikers will experience overload from the 900 metres of vertical skiing to get back to the carpark! For all except die-hard trailblazers and dedicated "first track" gurus, the 660 metres of vertical at Treble Cone will be more than sufficient. If your legs hold out from 9am until 4pm, you've done very well indeed. With Treble Cone's reputation as an advanced mountain, it is seldom crowded even on the frequent powder days that draw experts like bees to honey. Indeed, many non-experts avoid it because of it's reputation. However, the hearsay should be ignored as Treble Cone has some excellent skiing for all abilities - it's just that the experts might enjoy it more!

Over all, an incredible mountain for advanced skiers, with enough terrain for learners and intermediates to keep them occupied for a couple of days.

New for 2010:

AN international standard "big air" and an extension of its ski improvement programme are initiatives announced by Treble ConeSki Area as it gears up forthe winter season. A site in the main basin has been identified for a permanent "big air kicker", built to FIS specifications. This will compliment the natural
freeride terrain Treble Cone is renowned for and provide a venue for international standard competition. Its location within sight of themain six-seater express chairlift allows all mountain-goers to enjoy the spectacle.
Focus

This year sees the start of a staged five-year road improvement project, starting with the installation of a small length of barriers in key points along the mountain access road.

For those who want to check out the conditions a new webcam system has been installed. It will take high resolution images, static shots of the ski field and panning from the lake, up the main basin to the top of the six-seater express. The images will also be relayed to screens at the base building so skiers
and boarders can check out the weather at the top and in the Saddle without leaving the comfort of the café.
Treble Cone will open on June 24 with an anticipated closing day of October 3.

www.treblecone.co.nz