We are a group of enthusiastic skiers who want our children to love the mountains as much as we do. We are mostly situated in Central Otago and are lucky to have stewardship over the Vincent Ski Club lodge on Coronet Peak. Vincent was a county within Central Otago but is now defunct as a distinct local government entity.
The club is run on a purely voluntary basis consisting of a committee and members who have worked hard over it’s lifetime to keep it running and to continue upgrading it. Over the years we have initiated a family ski week consisting of parents and their primary and pre-school children, and long before that we had, and still have, a High School week which many of the current members and committee took part in during their youth. Since then it has expanded to become accommodation for skiers from other Otago schools and private groups from other cities in New Zealand.
We struggled through the late 70s and 80s and the hut was looking pretty sad. There were no snowmakers on the mountain and the snow was unreliable. Then the internet arrived and people could find us. Also mountain biking became popular and visitors began staying during the summer months. Finally we were in a financial position to begin upgrading the lodge and hiring a full time caretaker.
We have working bees to split fire-wood and take it up to the lodge and we do an annual clean up around the lodge and it’s environs. Those with the skills and time have have done a huge amount of work renovating and expanding the building. We have social get togethers and committee meetings throughout the year.
We are passionate about our club and hope to see it grow and improve into the future.