Treble Cone closed on a high note onSunday afternoon with a record number of final-day visitors and the fancy dress SlushCup, bringing to an end a successful 2010 season. A blue bird day welcomed brightly dressed snow sports enthusiasts to enjoy Treble Coneat its finest with an end of season record base of 232cm in the Saddle Basin and 108cm inthe Home Basin.
Visitor numbers for the 2010 season have been above average and the dollar spend on-budget. The season kicked off with an excellent coverage of snow resort-wide with theSaddle Basin operational since opening day. With the dip in snowfall levels in July andAugust there have been very few closed days due to the weather. With quieter visitor numbers during the middle of the season overall tickets sales havebeen good with season pass sales increasing and a noticeable rise amongst the locals.
Treble Cone marketing manager Nigel Kerr said he was delighted with the way the seasonhad gone and the overall visitor numbers.
“We are really pleased with this year’s season and gaining greater local support. MotherNature certainly served up some interesting weather patterns with a bountiful supply ofsnow throughout spring, we are already looking forward to opening day next year!” hesaid.
There is a final opportunity to get the last turns of the season at Treble Cone, nextSaturday 9th October (weather day 10th October) for the local charity fundraising day withthe proceeds going to the Aspiring Avalanche Dogs. Tickets need to be pre-purchased from Thunderbikes on Helwick Street. Tickets cost $40 cash and are limited to 250.

This year the NZ Snowboarder Banked Slalom will take place in either the Home Basin’s Gunbarrell or Superpipe in the Saddle Basin.  Both are long, high sided barrelly chutes providing the perfect location for speed and steeped banked turns. Over 75 riders are expected to attend in both the open and masters (35+) divisions. There’s cash up for grabs in the open and spot prizes include a day’s heliboarding and heaps of great gear to give away.

Registration takes place at Treble Cone base from 8.30am and the event is scheduled to start at 10.00am. Prize giving will take place at 5pm at Lone Star Wanaka.

All lifts were operating and skiers in The Saddle were treated to spectacular powder  with fresh tracks for the taking well into the morning.Pictured is Jack McLeary getting vertical over The AirBag, the first time the AirBag has been seen on snow in New Zealand. Hundreds of daring skiers and boarders gave it a test run with a soft landing guaranteed every time! Plus check out that view! Please credit this image to Camilla Stoddart.

Some of the features include:

Video Snow Cams

• Video snow cams from the 20 major resorts in Australian and New Zealand and a few International favourites.
• Each cam pans 270 degrees and can zoom up to 2 kilometres. The cameras are on a pre-set tour that takes in the best of that area.

Snow Reports

• Daily independent snow reports for all major resorts in Australia and NZ by locals.
• Detailed snow accumulations: 24 hour, 3 day and 7 days.
• Live weather conditions including temperature, wind and pressure
• Radar and Synoptic weather charts for Australia and New Zealand
• Status of resort lifts, trails, snow conditions and roads

Snow Forecasts

• This is Australia and New Zealand’s most accurate snow and mountain forecast and includes…
• 3 and 6-day detailed forecasts including: Snow / rain, daily temp min/max, wind, wind speed, wind chill and freezing level.
• 7-day detailed forecast written by a qualified alpine meteorologist.

Snow alerts

• Program the app to tell you when it snows at your favourite resorts so you never miss out on the best powder days.

Resort Info

• Trail maps, Google maps, mountain stats and essential resort info for over 50 resorts
• Includes all major Australian and New Zealand snow resorts
• Selected North American, Canadian and Japanese resorts
• Create your ‘favourites’ page for easy navigation to your main resorts

Snow News

• Latest news and features from Mountainwatch.com
• Interviews, travel, events and more.

Overall

The quicksilver/MoutainWatch application for the iphone is an awesome addition for any snowboarder. Take it on the mountain with you so you don’t get lost on the trails, and use to stay up to date with the latest snowfalls at your favourite resort-what’s not to like?

Click here to download (Itunes Launches when clicked on)

Highlights include the introduction of the Racers Edge Big Air Fridays on 16 July with four events throughout the season aimed at skiers and boarders keen to launch themselves off the new Treble Cone big air for prizes and applause. July 23 sees the return of the NZ Snowboarder Banked Slalom that this year will make the most of The Saddle’s unique terrain using its natural superpipes. The BASE Triple Comp also makes use of the new big air with skiers and snowboarders competing in the banked slalom, freeride and big air disciplines on 11 September.

On August 26-27, the world’s top junior elite athletes will head to Treble Cone for the parallel slalom and giant slalom snowboard events as part of the FIS Junior World Championships, the pinnacle event in the 2010 junior snow sports global calendar.

This is followed by the New Zealand University Games on August 29-31 with competitors vying for a spot on the New Zealand team for the 2011 World University Winter Games.

Ski racing is also on the calendar with the FIS GS and Slalom races on 29-30 July and the Treble Cone Ski Masters Giant Slalom on 4 September.

With a scheduled closing day of October 3, Treble Cone will look to re-open for one day on October 9 for the local charity fundraising day.  A last chance to get some turns, the day also generates a significant charitable donation each year with locals and late-season visitors making the most of the spring skiing.

Operations manager, Rosco Davies said the key was getting a good balance between mountain events. “We’ve got a really good mix of events this season with something for everyone,” he said. “There are some that will attract some of the best skiers and riders in the world and there are others that will be a fun day out for locals. All of them will showcase the superb terrain and setting here at Treble Cone.”

Treble Cone will open on 24 June 2010 with celebratory Amisfield bubbles for the first skiers and riders on the lift. For more information visit www.treblecone.com.

A site in the Main Basin has been identified for a permanent big air kicker, built to FIS (Federation International de Ski) specifications. The purpose built feature will compliment the natural freeride terrain Treble Cone is renowned for and provide a spectacular venue for international standard Big Air competition overlooking the famous Treble Cone view. Its location within sight of the main six-seater express chairlift allows all mountain-goers to enjoy the spectacle.

Treble Cone has a strong focus on high-end improvement and for 2010 it has extended its Ski Achievement products to cover eight weeks from mid-July to mid-September. Courses include two dedicated Women’s Ski Weeks, designed by women for women and aimed at the intermediate to advanced skiers and boarders wanting to move to the next level. There are also Ski Achievement Week Camps starting every Monday from 19 July through to 13 September and an All Mountain Riders programme for snowboarders wanting to take full advantage of Treble Cone’s legendary terrain under the expert guidance of Treble Cone’s instructors.

2010 will also see 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. And for those who want to check out the conditions from anywhere in the world, Treble Cone has installed a new webcam system that will take high resolution images, not only static shots of the ski field, but also 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 24 June with an anticipated closing day of 3 October. For further information, visit www.treblecone.com.