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Climate change a 'grim reality’ at
Coronet Peak
16
July, 2016
On
what should have been the coldest part of the coldest month of the
year, Coronet Peak Ski Area manager Ross Copland was looking out his
office window at torrential rain. Climate change has the ability to
alter the way New Zealand's lowest skifield operates, he tells
business editor Dene Mackenzie.
The
impact of climate change is a reality for Coronet Peak Ski Area
manager Ross Copland.
Instead
of watching 40cm of snow float down on Wednesday, he was instead
watching torrential rain washing the snow away, leaving up to 4000
potential skiers at the bottom of the hill instead of enjoying the
slopes and trails.
"Climate
change is something I am passionate about. We have a sustainable
business here but warmer temperatures mean extra costs. There does
not seem to be much chat around on the issue.''
Coronet
Peak was the lowest commercial ski area in New Zealand and was the
most exposed to climate change, he said.
June
was the warmest month in Queenstown's recent history.
The
June temperatures were 2degC higher than average, a significant
figure for Coronet Peak which had a two degree elevation.
The
2degC of warmer weather was the difference between 30cm to 40cm of
snow from the top of the peak to the base and rain - like on
Wednesday, Mr Copland said.
"On
July 13, the coldest part of the coldest month, we should be open,
except it is raining and we are closed today with 3000 to 4000
visitors not here.''
Mr
Copland has experienced it all in his four years on the peak.
His
first year was the warmest winter in Queenstown's history.
In
2014, his second year, it was the wettest August on record and the
winter games were due to be held.
Last
year, there was a record snowfall and a cold winter and this year is
warm and wet.
"I
have been here four seasons and three of them have had some sort of
records.''
Not
having Coronet Peak open had a significant impact on domestic and
international visitors, he said.
Australians,
in particular, did not board planes to Queenstown without first
knowing snow was falling.
The
effect of snow could not be underestimated.
A
Tourism NZ paper said visitors to Queenstown spent about $250 a day.
If
100,000 fewer visitors arrived in Queenstown, that took up to
$25million from New Zealand's gross domestic product, Mr Copland
said.
Climate
change predictions were a concern for Coronet Peak, even if emissions
targets were met, as a 2degC rise in temperature could wipe out
Coronet Peak.
"We
are half of the Queenstown ski market. Two degrees will have a big
impact. If that is regarded as acceptable, we will learn we won't
have a business in a short amount of time.''
Technology
being introduced in Europe allowed for ice-making but it was
energy-intensive and skiing on ice was markedly different from snow,
he said.
Coronet
Peak had the latest snow-making technology but it was expensive to
run.
However,
as temperatures rose, the field would have to do more.
"This is the grim reality. If people don't get climate change, they need to come and have a look to see the massive impact it has on us.''
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