Queenstown, New Zealand (Monday, July 3, 2006) - Queenstown has a variety of nightlife, and one more option for visiting skiers and snowboarders kicks off this Friday with night skiing at Coronet Peak, when skiers and riders will be able to get their snow fix from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights for most of the season.

Coronet Peak ski area manager Duncan Smith describes night skiing as an essential Queenstown winter experience.

"It's an almost surreal experience and a totally different feel from skiing during the day," he says. "There's a special camaraderie between people on the mountain, like we're all members of a very special club."

Night skiing is suitable for all levels of skiers and riders, as even first timers can start making turns under the floodlights.

"Surprisingly for many people it's often not that cold on the mountain at night," says Smith. "A temperature inversion typical of this area means the warm air from the valley rises at night resulting in warmer temperatures on the mountain than downtown."

The Coronet Brasserie is open until late for dinner or warming glass of mulled wine or hot chocolate.

Night skiing has been offered at Coronet Peak for well over twenty years and every year it has grown in popularity. Over the years it has attracted a broader range of people, and is proving increasingly popular with local families with young children.

"Quite simply more and more people choose to go night skiing because it's a very different evening's entertainment. It's a unique combination of winter, snow, skiing and riding, lighting, mood, ambience and the night view, looking over the Wakatipu Basin," said Smith.

Night skiing is included in Coronet Peak season passes while single night tickets cost NZ$42 for adults, NZ$35 for students and NZ$26 for youths and seniors.