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Tekapo Springs has invested in a brand new ‘snow factory’, doubling the length of its winter snow season.
The South Island-based visitor attraction, in the legendary Mackenzie region, already offers the ultimate winter wonderland with ice skating, snow tubing and hot pools by day, and New Zealand’s only guided hot pools and star gazing tours by night.
And now the innovative business, operating for 17 years, is taking the experience to another level thanks to investment in the SMI Latitude 30 snow factory, which can produce around 60 cubic metres of snow every 24 hours and blow snow up to 100 metres in a wide range of weather conditions.
Latitude Snow Factories owner Raphael Pelchat has partnered with Snow Makers International agent Sam Chater, to help the $700,000 investment come to life.
“It’s a winter gamechanger,” says Tekapo Springs owner Karl Burtscher.
“Effectively this means we can double the length of our winter snow season from three to six months, and we’ve already started making snow in late March.
“Not only will our customers be able to enjoy our snow tubing for longer over the colder months, but creating our own snow means we’re also excited to introduce a new ‘Snow Play’ area to our experiences.
“That means all ages can experience the snow up close, make a snowman, explore a snow cave and so much more.”
The new snow play area is situated between the snow tubing run and ice rink.
The ice rink was the first attraction on offer at the site when it opened in June 2007. After a successful first winter, the company added the now famous hot pools (shaped like the three local lakes Tekapo, Ohau and Pukaki) and relaxing day spa.
In 2009 came the snow tube park, proving hugely popular with locals and international travellers keen to have a snow experience without having to drive up to ski fields.
Over the years more growth included a summer tube park, an al fresco terrace overlooking the lake, and an extended café, followed by more new pools, night-time star gazing, and even an 18-hole adventure mini golf course.
The business now operates 364 days a year and is renowned as a tourism stalwart that’s key to continued growth of the town. It currently welcomes around 160,000 people a year.
For more details on the range of activities on offer check out: www.tekaposprings.co.nz
