New snowmaking facility to open at Coronet Peak in New Zealand
New snowmaking facility to open at Coronet Peak in New Zealand
Published : 21-Apr-2026 06:32
A major snowmaking project is nearing completion at Coronet Peak, with the New Zealand resort hoping to open earlier than ever for the 2026 winter season.'
The installation of a new NZ$2 million TechnoAlpin 'Snow Factory' – a system capable of producing snow in any temperature – is set to transform early-season operations at the Queenstown ski area.
Unlike traditional snow cannons, the system can freeze water into snow without relying on cold weather or chemical additives. It can produce 200m3 of snow per day.
The development will allow Coronet Peak to open beginner terrain and snow play facilities from late May, before the full mountain opens in mid-June.
The resort says the project is designed to provide certainty in increasingly unpredictable winters. The ability to guarantee snow early in the season is expected to strengthen Queenstown's appeal for the international market.
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