• Skyline Gondola, Resturant & Luge Queenstown
• Blue Peaks Lodge Queenstown
• Blue Peaks Apartments Queenstown
• Mercure Leisure Lodge Dunedin
• Sentosa Luge
• Skyline Skyrides Rotorua
• North Sky Luge (Tremblant) Ltd
• SKYCITY Queenstown Casino
• Christchurch Casino
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Newsletter of the Skyline Group of Companies
Two-year trainee
trio turn up trumps!
Skyline’s management trainee programme is well and
truly a success as far as graduates Angela Wright,
Taika Brooks and Graham Rogers are concerned.
TRIP TO THE TOP
ANGELA WRIGHT
November, 2006: Accepted directly into
Management Trainee Programme at Mercure
Leisure Lodge
October, 2008: Appointed as Senior F&B
Supervisor, Skyline Skyrides, Rotorua
TAIKA BROOKS
March, 2005: Started as a Luge Operator with
Skyline Skyrides
October 2006: Completed a Modern
Apprenticeship in Tourism in Travel
November, 2006: Accepted into Management
Trainee programme
July, 2008: Appointed as HR Coordinator for
Skyline Queenstown
GRAHAM ROGERS
August, 2005: Started as a Luge Operator with
Skyline Skyrides
October 2006: Completed a Modern
Apprenticeship in Tourism in Travel
November, 2006: Accepted into Management
Trainee programme
Northern Hemisphere summer, 2008: Spent
three months in Canada with North Sky Luge
October, 2008: Appointed as Luge Supervisor
for Skyline Queenstown
L-R: Graham Rogers, Angela Wright & Taika Brooks
The three spent the last two years
undergoing life at the sharp end of
operations in various departments
throughout Skyline companies across
New Zealand and internationally.
The pioneering programme was marked
with a special presentation function at
Skyline Queenstown where partners,
friends and workmates were able to
share in the graduates’ success.
The names of Rogers, Brooks and
Wright will go down in Skyline history
as the first people to complete the
programme, but the next wave is hot on
their heels.
Six-month rotations saw Angela, Taika
and Graham honing their professional
skills at Skyline Skyrides in Rotorua,
Skyline Queenstown and Dunedin’s
Mercure Lesiure Lodge, while Graham,
also spent 12 weeks at North Sky Luge
at Mont Tremblant, Canada.
The audience heard just how much hard
work has gone into the last 24 months.
“We have two more staff who are halfway through and another pair are just
beginning their two years of learning,
and they’re proving just as adaptable
and eager” says Maryann.
“It’s fair to say they’ve all enjoyed
two years total immersion in Skyline
management, and each one of them
has worked really hard to make the
most of their experience. They’ve done
really well and can be very proud of
their efforts,” says Skyline operations
manager Maryann Geddes.
“It’s not just about learning on the job.
They all completed a comprehensive
training programme as well as the work
experience at the various properties
and have completed numerous courses
including a National Certificate in First
Line Management (level 4),” she adds.
“All three were very accepting of how
new the programme was and accepted
change and uncertainty with real
enthusiasm,” says Maryann.
“As for Taika, Angela and Graham,
their progress and development into
management responsibilities has been
very pleasing and a credit to them all.
We congratulate them and wish them
well for the future,” she adds.
Sweet success for Roy
Pastry chef Roy Huang not only knows how to spin gold, he can also
get one over on his teachers at the same time.
When Roy’s incredibly intricate spun sugar creation took out top honours at the
Wellington Culinary Fair he beat his instructor into the silver medal position!
There’s no news as yet on whether or not they’ve swapped sides of the desk at
cookery school but Roy’s keeping his hand in at work ready for the next time they
face off.
Roy’s superb spun sugar creation
Chef Carl has all
the ingredients
Skyrides diners can look forward
to the very best of the best with a
senior kitchen appointment.
New executive chef Carl Rayner
brings more than 20 years of industry
experience to the role.
His career highlights include the roles
of executive chef for the opening of the
Regent Auckland, New Zealand's first
5-Star hotel, and food and beverage
manager for Auckland’s Americas Cup
Village during New Zealand's defence.
E-RIDES
The first edition of Sky-High, a quarterly
newsletter was released to Gondola
Card holders in October.
The e-newsletter contains useful
information including special offers, and
great feedback so far will see the next
edition released just before Christmas.
ONLINE SKYLINE
The Skyrides website has recently been
given a face-lift.
With new content, images and sections
are aimed at directing more repeat
site visits for information, including
employment opportunities.
Key staff have been trained to edit
content which means readers can
expect regular changes and more up-todate, relevant and seasonal information.
Chef Carl Rayner
Skyline Skyrides T:64+7 347 0027 F:64+7 348 2163 E:enquiries@skylineskyrides.co.nz www.skylineskyrides.co.nz
It’s access all areas with added luge capacity at Skyrides
THREE CHAIRS FOR SKYRIDES!
Luge capacity has more than
doubled as Skyrides’ new chairlift
comes on stream.
The Dopplemayr system has meant
the previous 935 people an hour luge
delivery has swollen to a massive 1,850!
Three new luge entry points have
also been created to disperse riders
in new exciting ways. These include a
suspended overpass and an added 500
metres to the scenic luge track.
It hardly seems like three years ago
since the new eight-seater Doppelmayr
Cableway system began operations,
carrying 2,000 people every hour.
This, combined with the new second
chairlift now brings additional capacity
for a more streamlined throughput and a
vastly improved experience for visitors.
The view from the luge never looked better
Rudolf on overtime
For everyone who wishes it could be
Christmas every day, Skyrides has the
next best thing.
Beginning on November 21 it’s Christmas
every weekend right up until the big day
itself.
Live entertainment among the
decorations is a super accompaniment
to the legendary Skyrides Christmas
Extravaganza buffet.
Check www.skylineskyrides.co.nz
for details of monthly events over an
entertainment-packed summer.
Skyline Skyrides T:64+7 347 0027 F:64+7 348 2163 E:enquiries@skylineskyrides.co.nz www.skylineskyrides.co.nz
NEW PEAKS
Peak pair are ‘people’ people!
Fully trained in local
knowledge and culture
by predecessors
Gordon and Erin
O’Callaghan, the
Christchurch pair are
thoroughly enjoying
their new berth near
the centre of the
resort.
It’s a new venture for
Michael and Anne who
bring long experience
in education,
recruitment and
management to their
new role.
Michael and Anne McMillan
The latest couple to check into
Blue Peaks like the place so
much they’ve got no intention of
leaving for a long while yet.
So it probably helps that Anne and
Michael McMillan are the Queenstown
property’s new managers!
Blue Peaks Lodge “Running any business successfully
demands good organisation,
administration and attention to detail.
That’s what our guests at Blue peaks
expect along with great service and
we’re really enjoying giving them the
best of our experience,” says Anne.
The rolling programme of improvements
at Blue Peaks is still scoring big points
with guests as the next phase swings
into action.
This year’s shoulder season has seen
balconies undergoing an extensive
upgrade with new tiles that look as
good as they perform.
“These floating tiles not only improve
the appearance of the balconies they
also improve water flow for drainage. Of
course that’s only on the rare occasion
we get rain in Queenstown!” jokes comanager Michael McMillan.
Teams of painters will be taking to
the interior too, for a new look with a
relaxed feel.
“Once visitors arrive in Queenstown
there are plenty of exciting activities for
them to enjoy. By the time they get back
to their accommodation it’s time for
some R and R so once again Blue Peaks
will fit the bill,” adds co-manager Anne.
T: 64 +3 442 9224 F: 64 + 3 442 6847 E: bluepeaks@xtra.co.nz www.bluepeaks.co.nz
ROCK WITH THE HIGH ROLLERS!
CARDS ACTION
Queenstown means great live entertainment for visitors and
locals alike and anybody will tell you Skycity Queenstown
Casino’s the first choice.
It’s like Christmas all December for
Action Card holders who get 17 chances
to win prizes under the festive tree.
The Christmas
holiday is when
Skycity excels itself
and a great lineup starts with the
hugely exciting
Little Green Men on
December 27.
Draws are held every Sunday to
Thursday ending with a grand prize
draw on December 23.
The promotions and fun will continue in
the New Year so check out www.skycity.
co.nz for all the latest information
on live entertainment, events and
promotions.
The casino’s scored
an entertainment
coup in securing
Jason Schmidt and
his band for the New
Year’s Eve festivities Jason Schmidt heads an all-star summer line-up at Skycity
for an unforgettable night of great music There’s something for everybody every
and first-class professionalism.
summer weekend at Wild Thyme Bar
and Restaurant where the new summer
Jason stays on to perform solo on New
menu has just been launched with more
Year’s Day in a week which finishes with
tantalising local flavours to tempt the
local band Middlearth who will finish the taste buds at great prices.
week off on Friday and Saturday nights
(January 2 and 3).
Restaurant hours have been extended
for the warm days and longer evenings
Of course, free entertainment doesn’t
so lunch now runs from 12pm to 4pm
stop when the tinsel comes down.
and dinner is served between 6pm and
11pm.
Skycity Queenstown Casino T: 64 +3 441 0400 E: info@skycityqueenstown.co.nz www.skycityqueenstown.co.nz
ABs get straight ‘A’s for professionalism
The rugby heroes spent a whole week at
the property in July, building up to the
Tri Nations test against South Africa.
Ecstatic staff were thrilled to have the
household names in their household
and a bottomless supply of tales about
professionalism and courtesy make
the ABs sound more like a diplomatic
mission than a rugby team.
Richie, Emma & Brad
It’s getting that many
international sports stars just
wouldn’t consider it a trip to
Dunedin without a stay at Leisure
Lodge, and this winter’s been no
exception.
Luckily the experience is just as much
fun for the sports-mad staff and
highlight of this year’s calendar was,
unsurprisingly, welcoming the mighty All
Blacks once again.
Mercure Leisure Lodge Rumours that a well-intentioned oversupply of black and white jelly beans
may have cost New Zealand the match
have been scotched, though different
colours have been ordered for next
season. Meanwhile preparations are
underway for more global visitors.
NEW FACES
Paul McArthur has taken charge of
the kitchen brigade as Leisure Lodge’s
new head chef, since Sean Trautvetter
headed back to Auckland.
Paul brings a wealth of experience and
fresh ideas to Leisure Lodge, as diners
are discovering in his exciting fresh new
menu.
The front desk has a bright new face too
as receptionist Rickie Kewene joins the
team.
International cricket teams will turn
Leisure Lodge into something of a
United Nations base over the summer.
New Zealand, Australian and South
African rugby teams are already lined up
for the 2009 Super 14 Rugby Season.
The All Blacks will be back next year too,
to face France in June.
Chef Paul McArthur
T: 64 +3 447 5360 F: 64 + 3 447 5460 E: reception@mercureleisurelodge.co.nz
GALLERY IS A WORK OF ART!
NZ’S FINEST
One thing that’s never gambled on at
the casino is host responsibility, a fact
that’s been nationally recognised this
year.
Christchurch Casino was awarded
first place for Excellence in Host
Responsibility in October’s Hospitality
Association of New Zealand Industry
Awards.
Delighted visitors to Christchurch
Casino are discovering a whole new
place to explore as The Gallery is now
officially open. Formerly Café Caesars
and Natures Gold, The Gallery has
been completely remodelled to create
a sophisticated environment with a
contemporary touch on traditional
casino style.
An adjacent entertainment area includes
Privé, a private lounge for electronic
gaming machine players, and the
redesigned bar is another key focal
point, featuring award-winning New
Zealand wines, local, boutique and
imported beer along with Christchurch
Casino’s authentic, national award
winning cocktail.
“The Casino is coming up to 14 years old
this November and we are very pleased
to be unveiling the first stage of our
eagerly awaited touch-up,” says chief
executive Brett Anderson.
“Invented by our very talented team
member, Aden Xu, ‘Oscillating Melody’
a pink grapefruit vodka-based tipple
won first place for ‘Original Innovative
Cocktail’ at the New Zealand Hospitality
Show this year,” explains executive chef,
Steve Blazey.
Guests in The Gallery can enjoy a stylish
new a-la-carte menu, prepared in the
new state-of-the-art kitchen.
Christchurch Casino
Casino host responsibility manager
Caleb Taiala says; “We have worked
really hard to design and implement a
comprehensive strategy to look after
our guests during their time with us.
Winning this award is an absolute
credit to all staff at the Casino; it
demonstrates our commitment to being
a safe and secure entertainment venue”.
Working with local and national
advisory councils including New
Zealand Police, ALAC and regulatory
organisations helps identify and work
with at-risk patrons, explains Caleb.
“We engage with our customers with
the intention of looking after their best
interests; we take pride in the solutions
we advocate,” he says.
T: 64+3 365 9999 E: marketing@christchurchcasino.co.nz www.christchurchcasino.co.nz
Skyline Gondola, Restaurant &
Bouncers at
the barbie
China in our hands
Skyline Queenstown capitalised on last
year’s sucessful showing at Tourism
New Zealand’s Kiwilink Asia with a
second visit in spring.
Some 83 buyers from all over Asia
showed strong interest, most notably
Chinese buyers who made the
most of Skyline’s Chinese speaking
representative, Shaungji Zhou.
Barbie spirits weren’t dampened by the rain
Despite a fair lashing of spring rain,
Skyline staff enjoyed a sumptuous
barbecue as a thank you for all their
hard work over Winter.
The opportunity to relax before the busy
Summer period included AJ Hackett
Bungy jumps and sky swings for bold
team members.
Plenty of staff put their steak and
and sausage at risk and launched
themselves off the Ledge while the
rest were more than happy to cheer
their friends on from the balcony with a
burger and a beer in hand!
The effort was made even more effective
with full translated product information
in both simplified and traditional
Chinese and Korean.
The team also used the opportunity to
catch up and reinforce relationships
with buyers who’d enjoyed
familiarisation trips to Queenstown in
the last year.
Shaungji also travelled onto Beijing,
Guangzhou and Hong Kong with Tourism
New Zealand’s Frontline training
programme to update around 300
people about Skyline.
Skyline also attended the Korea and
Taiwan trade mission to update key
product buyers and their staff.
Santa Claus
is coming… to Skyline!
After the success of last year’s first
Festive Family Fun Day Skyline
Queenstown is determined to go bigger
and better this year.
From 10am on December 7 there’ll be
even more activities for children, face
painting; cookie decorating; a treasure
hunt with awesome prizes and too much
more to even mention in these pages.
Santa himself will be dropping in
with his good friend and Skyline local
Captain Gravity to say ‘hello’ and ‘ho ho
ho’ to all the kids and ‘can I have a free
luge ride?’ to the staff, and who could
turn that down?
The event’s an annual red letter day for
Queenstown families and the chance
to enjoy Skyline’s special brand of
seasonal hospitality.
Skyline wins Melbourne Cup!
Nope, they haven’t started training
horses on the gondola, but when
the famous racing prize arrived in
Queenstown, Skyline was chosen to
show it off.
This year’s official Melbourne Cup Tour
selected destinations that would best
showcase the trophy and Skyline fitted
the bill to perfection.
It arrived in style, by helicopter, to give
customers and staff the opportunity
of an unrivalled first hand viewing
experience.
No staff were available for comment
on whether being that close to the cup
brought them luck on race day, but
no Rolls Royces have shown up in the
bottom terminal car park… yet.
Manager Blair Deasy and 1992 Melbourne Cup winning jockey Greg Hall pose with the trophy
Skyline Gondola Restaurant and Luge, Queenstown
& Luge, Queenstown
GUESTS TEED
OFF, IN A
SKYLINE’S STRING OF PEARLS GOOD WAY!
It was a season of pearl celebrations in Queenstown this spring as
two major events clocked up their 30th anniversaries, and where else
would they head to mark the occasion?
Well seeing as this is Skyline Views you won’t be surprised to hear
there were gondola rides involved!
SWINGING STRINGS
Just a few weeks later one of Skyline’s
longest-standing engagements
was filled once again as hordes of
sportsmen and women from all over the
country pitted their skills against each
other.
The Skyline Classic is also Queenstown
Golf Club’s event of the year and Skyline
has been the sponsor since it began in
1978.
Traditonally the function has been held
mid-tournament at Skyline, though now
players have the opportunity to enjoy
meeting old friends and planning team
strategies for the weekend on the Friday
evening before competition begins.
Skyline Queenstown manager Blair
Deasy always makes sure he’s there
to watch the evening go with a swing,
though he’s not on duty.
“I love playing in the Classic, there’s real
competition but it’s also a great social
event. I reckon there can’t be many jobs
when it’s a pleasure to come into work
on an evening off!”
Fiona Pears keeps the Skyline audience enthralled
First on the party list was Queenstown
Jazz Fest. It’s a time when the country’s
finest syncopaters set toes tapping all
round the town, to an audience of music
lovers from around the world.
Skyline’s long been a supporter of the
event and that was recognised this year
with violin virtuoso Fiona Pears taking
the stage.
Around 185 fans enjoyed a scintilating
set accompanied by brunch, all backed
by the view over the resort and Lake
Wakatipu.
The Queenstown weather got into the
groove too and provided a backdrop
bathed in glorious sunshine for one of
the week’s most memorable events.
Like everyone else at the function he
had an eye on the $10,000 prize table,
though he couldn’t help having the
other one on the technical side of the
evening.
“The staff played a blinder once again
and the buffet was a hit as it always is.
Here’s to the next 30 years!” he says.
Skyline sustainability sussed
Staff members are doing their bit for the planet with a committed sustainability drive at Skyline Queenstown.
Frequent meetings have set many new initiatives underway to make Skyline a model corporate citizen, including…
•
All glass and plastic bottles being recycled along with cardboard waste
•
Four stainless-steel recycling bins positioned at strategic points around the complex
•
Some 30 native trees and 500 tussocks being planted around the site
•
A drive to encourage newsletter recipients to switch to email, 200 members already supporting the scheme
•
Double-sided photocopying
•
Faxes automatically sent as email or on recycled paper
•
Around 90 per cent of internal reports emailed
Every little helps and awareness is gradually growing among staff and visitors alike.
T: 64 +3 441 0101 F: 64 + 3 442 6391 E: gondola@skyline.co.nz www.skyline.co.nz
BE PART OF THE LUGE FAMILY!
With more than 450 sign-ups since the
launch, families with children comprise
two-thirds of the figures.
Members are entitled to a special
rate for a Luge and Skyride pass and
attractive discounts on selected luge
merchandise.
They also receive e-newsletters on
updates and special promotions.
That’s what Sentosa Luge guests would
like to be, judging from their responses
to the new Luge Rider’s Licence
membership programme.
The scheme was launched due
to overwhelming feedback and
suggestions from repeat visitors,
around 45 per cent of total visitor
numbers.
But the greatest incentive is their own
members’ priority queue which has
received big thumbs-up, especially
during busy weekends and holidays.
Smiles like
team spirit
The turn-out told the story, Sentosa
Luge’s long service awards ceremony
was a massive hit for the team.
Loud applause and cheers greeted each
of the 13 awards presented by general
manager Lyndon Thomas.
Stars of the night were the six members
from the pioneer batch, recognised
for their great dedication since the
attraction’s original launch.
Each member receives a personalised
Luge Rider’s Licence card, on passing a
luge riding assessment test.
Vibrantly animated, the cards are a big
hit, especially with children.
Sentosa Luge staff go crazy for awards night!
Sentosa Luge
T: 0065-6274-0472 F: 0065-6273-0906 E: sentosainfo@skyline.co.nz www.sentosa.com.sg
CLOUDS PART, CROWDS START!
Staff at Mont Tremblant thought they’d
be putting the ‘luge’ in ‘deluge’ when
their 2008 summer started with two
months of near solid rain.
With those sorts of numbers and
sweltering heat to contend with the staff
had a real job on their hands just getting
everyone through.
But Canadian clouds in the north sky
clearly have silver linings as August
pulled one out of the box for a bumper
90,000 rides.
Skyliners are made of sterner stuff
though and not only was the process
smooth, it all came complete with
beaming smiles.
As the sun beat down it soon dawned on
everybody a record was in the offing and
sure enough the monthly high topped
previous years by a whopping 7,000!
Morale took another great leap with
a staff function to celebrate the effort
along with achieving their accident
incentive target.
It all contributed to a season that
welcomed tens of thousands of visitors
who enjoyed 222,000 rides, and
managers have been quick to praise a
superb effort from team members.
Now the snow’s well and truly on the
ground and the North Sky Luge track
has hibernated for the winter, plans are
already afoot for another crack at those
records next season.
So watch this space….
Historically relaxing, September brought
the annual pilgrimage of Asian visitors
keen to enjoy the autumn colours of
Mont Tremblant’s forests before the next
onslaught at Canadian Thanksgiving.
The team was primed and ready for a big
day and the weekend turned out to be
way beyond expectations.
Captured for posterity, the North Sky Luge crew
relax after another record-breaking season
North Sky Luge
An incredible 4,850 rides were taken on
the Sunday, the highest one-day figure
in the attraction’s history.
T: 64 +3 441 0377
F: 64 + 3 441 0394
E: info@skyline.co.nz
www.skyline.co.nz
T: 1 819 681 3000 E: info@northskyluge.com www.northskyluge.com