Springfield, New Zealand – New Zealand’s Director General of Conservation, Al Morrison, last week approved in principle a land exchange agreement proposal allowing Blackfish Ltd., owners of Porters Ski Area, limited free holding of land in neighboring Crystal Valley considered essential to the development of the ski area.nUnder the proposal the Department of Conservation (DOC) would exchange about 489 acres of leasehold conservation land in Crystal Valley in return for a 173-acre block of rare coastal lowland forest on Banks Peninsula, known as Steep Head Gully. Blackfish would also surrender 791 acres of leasehold land in the Porters Valley to DOC.

“This innovative approach is a win/win for all parties and shows progressive leadership by DOC,” said Mike Sleigh, Director of Development Porters Ski Area Ltd. “It’s a significant gain for New Zealand’s environmental and tourism outcomes. Long term access to Crystal Valley is critical to the success of the Porters Ski Area expansion and this decision also preserves conservation values. This is important to us, as we understand our role as custodians of the environment.”

Porters officials are proposing three main expansion areas, encompassing a year-round alpine eco-village at the base of ski area, expansion into neighboring Crystal Valley with six new ski trails, an access gondola, three high speed chairlifts and a second day lodge, and upgrading the existing Porters ski area with new high speed gondola from the village to the summit.

“In our view this is an excellent example of progressing ‘green growth’ in the tourism sector,” Sleigh continued. “Freehold title is critical to this project progressing. This decision gives investors confidence and certainty to move forward.”

If realized, the expansion of Porters Ski Area is expected to cost NZ $500 million over 10 to 15 years. It is estimated to attract over $89 million per year in visitor expenditure when fully developed.

“Porters is an hour’s drive from Christchurch International Airport and offers the longest vertical run in the Southern Hemisphere,” Sleigh said. “We are constructing New Zealand’s first on-mountain alpine village. At full development the expansion will create almost 1,000 full time equivalent jobs for Canterbury and aims to attract 300,000 skiers per year.”