Investment in snowmaking with an additional twenty three new snow guns and work on a terraced Mini Terrain Park for beginners and novices are projects underway at Mt Hutt for the 2008 winter season.

Dave Wilson, Ski Area Manager for Mt Hutt said the new developments will appeal to riders and skiers of all ability levels.

“Expanding our snowmaking arsenal means skiers and riders will enjoy more consistent main trail coverage for longer. The new snow guns work quickly and efficiently, improving start up time so that when conditions are right, we’re straight onto it.

“By further expanding our well developed terrain park network we can look forward to getting 10,000sqm of terrain open early in the 2008 season. We’re expecting the new Mini Terrain Park to be a huge hit with our youth and novice contingent,” said Mr Wilson.

The new Mini Terrain Park is designed to make progression from novice level through to intermediate terrain riding as easy and as much fun as possible. Two new terraces will be added to the main park, including new rails for intermediate riders and to help bridge progression to advanced level.

This year national and international athletes training at Mt Hutt will benefit from continued improvements of the Race Training area, including Injection Bars which help prepare the snow surface and create World Cup conditions.

Mt Hutt will once again host the highest ranking ski race in Australia - the ANC Cup finals - in early September and will also be home to the Volkswagen Nationals Super G finals.

Other changes for 2008 include the transformation of the upstairs area of Huber’s Hutt into a Corporate Function Room; High country style hospitality will continue in the Hutt’s lower level. Methven’s Snow Centre will also reveal a redesign and refurbishment in time for season opening on 14 June.