Mt Dobson unveils big development plans and offers the 2017 season pass at bargain prices.
As skis and boots are hung up for the summer, South Canterbury’s Mt Dobson Ski Area unveils ambitious new development plans. Once appropriate consents and approvals are in place new base area buildings, snowmaking and race training facilities are just some of the improvements visitors can expect to see over the next 3 – 5 years.
Ski Area founder, Fairlie’s, Peter Foote has retired and handed over the lifts to sons Allan and Bruce. Opening in 1979, 2017 will be Mt Dobson’s 39th season.
Allan Foote outlines his vision for the future. “The ski area is central to our family legacy and we want to build on dad’s hard work and tenacity. It’s part of mid and south Canterbury DNA and we want to continue to offer skiers a fantastic experience.”
The mid and south Canterbury markets are vital to Mt Dobson and skiers are being offered arguably the best Season Pass offer seen in New Zealand for well over a decade.
“We’re offering a strictly limited number of 2017 Season Passes on a first come, first served basis. Adults will be just $199, youths $149 and children $99. Under fives and over seventies will ski for free except for a $5 pass processing fee,” Allan said today.
At over 400 hectares, Mt Dobson is big, it gets all day sun and with a base area of altitude of 1725 metres, is also high, helping with better snowmaking conditions and limiting the effects of possible future climate change.
“Our size and altitude offers us a huge natural advantage. Being close to Tekapo and Fairlie as well as being on a main tourist route are also great strengths. We feel very confident about a long, successful and sustainable future in the mid and South Canterbury region,” says Allan.
Earlybird Season Passes (on sale until December 18, 2016 or until sales limit is reached, which ever comes first) are currently NZ$199 for an adult and NZ$99 for five to twelve years of age.