“We can now reveal that the plan for 2013 is that we will not be opening on a regular basis to the public.” Said Sam Lee, General Manager.  “We had hoped we could get on our feet sooner but we needed more time than we have had”.

Best efforts have been hampered by the volume of work and capital required. The team have made the decision to pause and get their bearings, and approach the future of Snow Park responsibly to their customers and trading partners.

“We have worked hard to underwrite the season and provide the Snow Park we have all come to know and love, but time has been against us from the start.”  Said Lee. “This is one of the hardest decisions I have had to make, with the level of functioning assets, I know we cannot provide the World Class terrain we have become known for”.

Snow Park NZ is prepared to stay closed for the 2013 winter as it plans to restructure itself moving forward.

“While this is bad news for the 2013 winter, its about the long term success of the brand, venue and assets. As a family we are passionate about the industry and Snow Park, but we have to be socially and fiscally responsible to our customers and our partners.”

They have not ruled out operating on an ad-hoc basis and plans for this will be released when there is more certainty about what will be provided. They will still be running their accommodation and be available for events and functions.

Lee, who had anticipated an earlier announcement for the 2013 season, is back at the helm as of April 1st, 2013 after a two year hiatus.

“We still have a lot of work to do before presenting our 2013 offering,” said Lee. “The time frame we’ve had to prepare has been tight and we are focusing on seasons beyond this one.”

With other ski area early bird season pass sale deadlines are closing-in Lee is aware that loyal Snow Park NZ customers might find themselves questioning what to do.

“We don’t want our customers missing those deals, so when we do release our offering we will ensure it complements that of other ski resorts.”

“I want to thank our loyal customers for their patience during this transitional period,” said Lee. “There is nothing I want more to get this park back and running. I do need some more time but I don’t want to put our customers out of pocket waiting for us.”

Snow Park Holdings/Alpine Ventures, headed by General Manager Robin Sadowski Synnott, three year lease expired on March 31st, 2013.

Snow Park NZ has returning staff this season, therefore no new positions will be opening.

Snow Park History

Waiorau Run, the land the Snow Farm, Proving Ground and Snow Park NZ is located, has been in the Lee Family since 1922. A loose translation of “Waiorau” is the place of over 100 waters.

The property was originally purchased by Robert Lee (Sam Lee’s grandfather), in a return service mans ballet after World War 1. Robert Lee farmed and developed the land from 1922 to 1962. His biggest liability was the cold winter conditions and snow.

Robert’s son John Lee took over the farm and decided to turn his fathers biggest liability into an asset.

In 1970 John Lee purchased another farm across the valley with the idea of making Cardrona Ski Area to help reverse the population decrease in Cardrona Valley.

He developed the successful Cardrona Ski Resort in 1980. John is a man who never likes to stand still and he sold his shares in 1985-6 to develop the Snow Farm and the proving ground.

The Proving Ground was discovered in 1984 by a scout from The Film Industry and was sold in March 2005 and a new company was formed, Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground.

In 1997 Sam’s Mother Mary Lee established the first Cross Country Ski Area in NZ. Snow Farm was sold to the Pisa Alpine Charitable Trust in 2011.

The Snow Farm had a T-Bar on which the Park is located for 7 years and never had found a sustainable use for it. After an attempt to run a tubing lane it was inevitable that’s John’s only son Sam Lee would follow in his footsteps. The area has proven to be an ideal location for a terrain park.

When a niche market was realised in the Ski Industry in New Zealand due to snowboarders and skiers getting little traction for updated terrain,  Sam Lee jumped at the chance to develop Snow Park NZ – the world’s first dedicated freestyle resort.

When Snow Park NZ was developed in 2002 it broke the mould of the typical Ski Resort and offered a product like none other.

Snow Park quickly grew into the premier training destination for the worlds best freeskiers and snowboarders, while also keeping true to the kiwi laid back culture and vibe.

In 2010 Sam Lee joined forces with the Synnott family of Wanaka – Robin and Sean Synnott to run Snow Park NZ for Three Years.

Sam Lee took a step back from Snow Park in 2011 and has returned to take on the Business in 2013.

CLOSING DAY AND CLOSING NIGHT!! COWBOYS & INDIANS
DRESS UP AS COWBOY, INDIAN OR WHATEVER FANCY DRESS YOU LIKE AND COME SHRED YOUR LAST DAY AND NIGHT OF THE SEASON!
LIVE MUSIC & BAR SPECIALS, PRIZES FOR BEST DRESSED KIDS AND ADULTS, TREASURE HUNT.

NIGHT RIDING 5pm – 9pm
LAST NIGHT OF THE SEASON! DRESS TO IMPRESS.

NZSNOWBOARD.COM DECADE DOWNHILL. DROPPING @ 4.20
CELEBRATING 10 YEAH’S AT SNOW PARK! CAN YOU GO REAL FAST ON A SNOWBOARD? GREAT! DO YOU ENJOY DRINKING BEER? PERFECT! THE NZSNOWBOARD.COM DECADE DOWNHILL IS A SNOWBOARD RACE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.

SNOW PARK SEASON PASS HOLDER MATES RATES!
BRING A MATE OR TWO TODAY OR TONIGHT AND THEY’LL GET 50% OFF THIER DAY OR NIGHT RIDING PASS!

One of the best ways to progress your riding and make progression is with the use of Snow Park NZ Bagjump. The Bagjump has showed it huge success in all the past seasons. It has enabled riders to land and try out new tricks in a safe environment before taking it on to the real jumps. Snow Park NZ would like to give you the opportunity to make use of the Bagjump to take your riding to the next level!

Spring 2011 – Photo credit: Bel Jones

The bagjump will be located on the bottom of the halfpipe. We scheduled public bagjump sessions on:

1st october – 6th october 11am – 2pm (snow dependent)

The price per rider is:

$30 – one hour (in addition to a day pass)

Sign up at the retail and ticketing office to claim your spot. max 25 riders per session.

For halfpipe & slopestyle sessions after closing day (6th october) please send an email to info@snowparknz.com. Note that the chairlift will be closed.

Check some results from last year, including the first switch backside double cork 1260

For more information on the Bagjump click here

Spring 2011 – Photo credit: Bel Jones

Girls

• Snowboard – Best Overall Female - Kristal Roberts
• Snowboard – Best Trick – Ayla Thidling with a nose press on the L-box
• Freeski – Best Overall Female -Isabelle  Hanssen
• Freeski – Best Trick – Isabelle Hanssen with 3 switch ups on the longbox

Groms

• Snowboard – Best Overall Male – Carlos Garcia-Knight
• Snowboard – Best Trick – Jack Murata with a Tail 270 Pretzel
• Freeski – Best Overall Male – Toby Dickson
• Freeski – Best Trick - Jackson Wells hitting the s rail with 450 out

Juniors

• Snowboard – Best Overall Male – Angus Campbell
• Snowboard – Best Trick – Dorian Grault with a 50’50 to Front Flip
• Freeski – Best Overall Male – Beau-James Wells
• Freeski – Best Trick – Daniel Tingey hitting the s rail with 450 out

Overall Skier – Must enter both Jams

Overall Snowboarder – Must enter both Jams

Jam # 2 starts 5pm Friday 5th October. More info

$25 BUNK BEDS!
We have stripped the prices off bunk beds to $25/night (from $45).
If you would like to take advantage of this offer please follow the link below, select September and choose a date that suits you.  VIEW AVAILABILITY/BOOK

MORE TERRAIN DURING SPRING FOR NIGHT RIDING!

During our spring season the floodlights light up every Tuesday, Thursday & Friday night. The Race lane will also be open for Night Riding, which means more terrain! As always the Woolshed Restaurant & Bar will provide a warm break in between runs.

For more info click here

EYE PATCHES, FLANNEL, PIRATE HATS, PIRATE NAMES, PARROTS, WOODEN LEGS. ARRRRRRRR LOT OF FUN!

DON’T FORGET YOUR DRESS UPS!

SEE YOU THERE!

FORMAT SCHEDULED: (Times are subject to change)

• All day till 4pm REGISTRATION @ RETAIL – TRAINING & JAM SPOT PRIZES
• 5.30pm RIDERS MEETING – Woolshed & Course Maintenance
• 5.45pm HEAT 1 – GIRLS JAMS
• 6.15pm HEAT 2 – GROMS JAM – BOYS
• 6.45pm HEAT 3 – JUNIOR JAM – BOYS
• 7.00pm FINISH & PACK DOWN
• 7.30pm PRIZE GIVING – Woolshed

CATERGORIES

• Heat 1 – All Girls – Skiers & Snowboarders
• Heat 2 – Groms – Boys 14years and Under – Skiers & Snowboarders
• Heat 3 – Juniors – Boys 15 years – 18 years – Skiers & Snowboarders

PRIZES

Girls

• Snowboard – Best Overall Female
• Snowboard – Best Trick
• Freeski – Best Overall Female
• Freeski – Best Trick

Groms

• Snowboard – Best Overall Male
• Snowboard – Best Trick
• Freeski – Best Overall Male
• Freeski – Best Trick

Juniors

• Snowboard – Best Overall Male
• Snowboard – Best Trick
• Freeski – Best Overall Male
• Freeski – Best Trick

Overall Skier – Must enter both Jams

Overall Snowboarder – Must enter both Jams

AGE GROUPS: (Date of birth is calculated from Jan 1):

• Girls – (18 years and under = born 1994 or later)
• Grommets (14 years and under = born 1998 or later),
• Juniors (15 years – 18 years = born 1997 – 1994)

REGISTRATION : Pre Registration Open in The Goods Retail – Free Entry.

Peter Crooke at Snow Park NZ, Spring 2011. Photo credit- Ananda Van Welij

The spring pass includes night riding three nights per week (Tue, Thurs and Fri 5-9pm) as well as a long list of discounts.

It’s a perfect time to come ride, the park is built up in perfect condition, the days are getting longer and the crowds are getting smaller!

Snow Park scheduled to close Sat 6th Oct 2012.

Visit the Snow Park NZ ticket office to purchase your pass.

Don’t miss out!

** PLEASE NOTE THE SPRING PASS DOES NOT INCLUDE STORED VALUE.