Second supreme award for small ski-field
24 Jul 2009
One of New Zealand’s smaller South Island ski-fields, Ohau in the Mackenzie Country, is the second-time recipient of a supreme award for hospitality and expertise in tourism operation.
Situated below the Ohau Range on the Southern Alps main divide, and not far from Aoraki Mount Cook, Ohau Snow Fields and Lodge has been voted best large ski-field service provider.
It’s the second time Ohau, and its owners Mike and Louise Neilson and field manager Craig Ovenden, have been awarded the New Zealand Snow Sports supreme trophy. They also won in 2004.
Skifield excellence
The award requires excellence in the areas of staff, access, lifts, toilets, café satisfaction, and snow sports school.
Destination Mt Cook Mackenzie general manager Phil Brownie says the Ohau team’s achievement is well deserved.
"We pride ourselves on our high country hospitality in the Mackenzie, and firmly believe in delivering great service across the region so people will want to come back," he said.
"The Ohau team really epitomises that philosophy. Mike and Louise are fantastic hosts, understand their visitors’ needs and, after 24 years experience, have consistently great service down to a fine art."
Public vote
The Neilsons say the award is especially meaningful because it was voted for by the public.
"It blows me away when you think of all the big ski resorts that we are up against," said Mike Neilson.
Ohau is considered a ‘club field’ which is a private patch of mountain managed by individual ski clubs but open to the public.
The field has a reputation for advanced back-country skiing with access to around 600ha of powder-bowl slopes.
Ohau is a popular year-round destination with extensive hiking opportunities and dramatic views from Lake Ohau across to Aoraki Mount Cook.
Ohau Snow Fields
Mike and Louise Neilson took sole charge of the Ohau in 1990, but their love affair with the property started in 1985 when Mike bought the ski field with some friends.
The slopes originally opened in 1956 when pioneer tourism operator Harry Wigley of the Mount Cook Company installed a rope tow.
Today Ohau features a groomed basin of about 125ha with a chairlift, platter and a magic carpet snow mat, and two progressive terrain parks.
Last year NZ$2 million was spent on snowmaking, which included 23 snow guns. The next two steps of a three-stage development will see an extra 55 snow guns and a second chairlift installed, as well as a new three-storey base building and snow school.
More information:
NZ winter destinations
New Zealand: Winter 2009 highlights
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