Queenstown, New Zealand – NZSki Ltd. has announced the appointment of Ross Copland as its new Ski Area Manager for the Coronet Peak ski area in Queenstown.

Copland will take over his new role on Apr. 22, replacing Hamish McCrostie who recently left the business after 32 years with the company.  His appointment has come about after an extensive recruitment process that saw a high caliber of candidates considered.

NZSki CEO James Coddington said Copland is an important addition to the wider NZSki management team and brings experience from outside the ski industry which compliments the depth of experience internally.

“Ross not only brings executive management skills from his time at Westfield Australia, most recently as National Operations Manager but a real passion for service excellence which is exactly what we are striving for.  His experience in engineering and project management is a welcome addition to the Coronet Peak team,” Coddington said, adding that Copland has strong ties with the Queenstown area, having been brought up in rural Southland and having family nearby.  Copland was schooled in Dunedin and gained commercial and engineering degrees in Auckland.

Copland said he and his wife had decided to move to Queenstown as a great environment to bring up their young children closer to the extended family.  The role at Coronet Peak is a unique opportunity to combine his passion for skiing and the mountains with the excitement of developing his career in the growing tourism industry.

“Moving to Queenstown and working in such a dynamic and hands-on business is really exciting,” he said. “I can’t wait to join the team, working with them to prepare Coronet Peak for what we expect to be another great winter season, it will be both challenging and fun.”

Coronet Peak is part of the NZSki portfolio of ski areas including Mt. Hutt in Canterbury and The Remarkables in Queenstown.