Wax your skis and snowboards, boys and girls, for one final weekend of marathon spring skiing at Coronet Peak in the Southern Lakes region – this weekend marks the end of the ski area’s night skiing operation for the 2011 winter season.

Tomorrow, opening at 8am with First Tracks and running right through to 9pm with night skiing, skiers and snowboarders can indulge in a massive 13 hours on the slopes – and the chance to break the record for most runs in a day! The current record is currently held by a day pass holder who managed 60 runs (that’s 24,124 vertical metres!) in 12 hours of skiing.

Even if you’re not looking to break any records, an evening of skiing under the stars is an amazing experience. Tonight and tomorrow night, it’s expected that the main M1 trail, Shirtfront, Big Easy and some beginner areas will be open and fully floodlit so that skiers and snowboarders can enjoy the thrill of night skiing.

“It’s the perfect opportunity for locals and visitors to take it easy and enjoy the ambience of a relaxed night out up on the snow,” says Coronet Peak ski area manager Hamish McCrostie.

“You can head up around 4pm, ski or board until enjoying a good hot meal at dinner time and then hit the slopes again before a hot chocolate or mulled wine and home.”

“All in all it’s a pretty magical experience that’s hard to beat. It’s a whole different atmosphere at night – skiing under the stars then enjoying a drink on the deck, all with views over a sparkling valley.”

But even if you miss out on the experience of night skiing, Coronet Peak and other ski areas in the Southern Lakes region will remain open for spring skiing for some time yet – and the conditions are fantastic. So book your accommodation, transport and activities, and head down for a weekend (or a well-deserved mid-week break) before the season ends.