Wanaka’s Treble Cone Ski Area Fired Up For Opening This Weekend

TREBLE CONE'S SADDLE BASIN IS READY AND WAITING FOR OPENING ON SATURDAY JUNE 23. PHOTO: JACKSON LANA

Snowguns are firing, temperatures dropping and excitement’s building for Treble Cone ski area’s official opening this Saturday (June 23).

Treble Cone’s opening five days earlier than scheduled thanks to healthy pre-season snowfalls. And right on cue the mountain’s snowguns have been firing this week just as meteorologists are predicting “significant” natural snowfalls early next week.

For TC’s loyal fanbase the news couldn’t be better.

The lucky riders of the first five chairs on the Home Basin Express will be rewarded for their chilly early morning ‘camp out’ with coveted ‘First on the Chair’ T-shirts and a $30 lunch voucher each, so they can sample items from the delicious new mountain menu.

Opening day will be celebrated in style with free Amisfield bubbles in the plaza, and season pass holders can fuel up for a big day on the slopes with tasty (and free) egg and bacon rolls between 8.30am to 10am, or while stocks last.

The ski area is reporting plenty of snow across the mountain, with 75cm at the top of the Saddle Basin Quad, 70cm at the top of the Home Basin Express and 25cm at the base.

STAFF AT WANAKA'S TREBLE CONE HAVE BEEN WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK TO GET THE MOUNTAIN READY FOR OPENING ON SATURDAY JUNE 23. PHOTO: JACKSON LANA

All lifts will be open and operating from Saturday morning, including the Saddle Basin lift accessing some of the mountain’s most extensive terrain for intermediate and expert skiers and boarders.

Treble Cone General Manager Toby Arnott says the hard work behind the scenes to open early will be worth it over the weekend.

“The warm welcome to Treble Cone starts at the bottom of our ski area access road this year with a new coffee cart serving up coffee, pastries and wraps for breakfast on the go,” he says.

“That bottom car park also features a new Airstream caravan with a staff member on board to help guests buy passes, lessons or rental gear before they even reach the base building.

“We’re operating a free new Treble Cone Shuttle service from the car park so guests can park up, grab a coffee, sit back and enjoy the view without worrying about snow on the road or the hassle of fitting chains, a great door-to-door service.”

In addition, a Wanaka/Treble Cone Express will depart Wanaka daily at 7.30am and 9.30am, picking up at key hotels and the Treble Cone town office with return trips leaving at 2pm and 4pm.

It’s a complimentary service for those who have bought a lift pass or lessons but must be booked through guests’ hotel concierge or online daily at treblecone.com

“Conditions are currently fantastic on the mountain and we can’t wait to welcome our first guests,” says Toby.

“We have the highest elevation of any ski area in the region and if the forecasts are right we’re looking to receive a serious amount of snow early next week which should ensure outstanding conditions leading into July.

“People want to ride and our team’s been working around the clock to deliver an experience that will be well worth the wait!”  

All mountain facilities will be operating from Saturday onwards including rentals, lessons and a full F&B service.

In anticipation of opening, it’s recommended that season pass holders visit the town office to collect their pass early. With staff training being finalized on the mountain, the office is open from 3pm to 6pm on Thursday and 1pm to 6pm on Friday.

Normal winter office hours are 7am until 6pm. Day or multi-day passes can be bought online.