A glow came over the mountains above the Whakatipu Basin at the weekend, as New Zealand’s first Torchlight Descent lit up Coronet Peak.
The inaugural fiery event on Saturday was organised by the Queenstown Alpine Ski Team, during which groups of avid skiers and boarders took to the slopes, lighting their path with only a wax torch or glowstick.
The event catered to all skill levels, with beginner riders taking the Meadows Express chairlift early in the evening, while the more experienced rode the Coronet Express lift to reach the Pro-Am track later in the night.
Queenstown Alpine Ski Team committee member Richard McLeod says the descent’s based on a centuries-old tradition held in ski towns across Europe.
“It’s never really been done in NZ and it’s a really cool opportunity for the public to ski down with fire in the dark.”
Those at the base didn’t miss any of the fun, with a DJ playing music and bonfires to keep supporters entertained, as they watched the choreographed descent featuring about 100 members of the Alpine Ski Team.
Committee member Lindsay Lake hoped to raise $10,000 from the event, which would fund ski passes and snow gear for local primary school children.
“QAST has been a part of the community for quite a long time, and we know that we’ve been given a lot back from the community.
“And we thought this was a really wonderful opportunity for us to bring something to the community as well.”
The Torchlight descent capped off Coronet Peak’s first week of night skiing for the 2023 season.
Organisers are optimistic that Saturday night’s descent could be just the start of a new regular activity in the region.
