Auckland skiers and snowboarders will benefit from the expertise of renowned Queenstown ski industry leader Browns Ski Shop this winter season.

Established 27 years ago, the legendary Queenstown store will offer its signature premier standards of personalised service, unparalleled boot fitting, international knowledge and advice through a new Auckland outlet, to open later this month in Newmarket.

The new store will facilitate a stronger link between the Auckland market, Queenstown and the international ski circuit through Browns dedicated team and contacts.

Browns partners Kris Vermeir and Paul ‘Haggis Vaitkus’ said ski industry wholesalers and Browns customers were extremely supportive of the concept.

“Auckland is where most of the New Zealand ski market lives and Browns wants to bring its authentic ski town brand to the market,” said Vermeir.

“Currently in Queenstown lots of city stores are moving into the retail scene as the town grows. We’re heading in the other direction, taking Queenstown to the city which has historically been a strong market for us. Our Auckland clients enjoy the real ski shop character of Browns. They like the genuinely expert service and knowledge that’s based in actual snow experience and ski industry knowledge. We’re transplanting that culture into the Auckland retail scene,” he said.

In charge of hunting down the latest in ski fashions and gear is Felicity ‘Fizz’ Boyd. Vermeir describes her job as ‘any woman’s perfect job’.

“Fizz gets to travel the world indulging a passion for shopping. She seeks out the latest and greatest gear that works as well as it looks and feels. Fizz works closely with Haggis who makes sure everything is tested here and in Europe. Between the two of them they fully have their finger on the pulse and offer that knowledge to everyone who shops at Browns.”

As part of the roll-out of the new shop, industry stalwart Carolyn Hill has been appointed to the Browns management team.

Carolyn has 15 years of ski industry experience in New Zealand and overseas, including ski instructing, hosting for Ski Express in New Zealand and internationally, plus time as golf director at Millbrook.

Mostly responsible for operations management, Carolyn brings to the team another set of experienced ski legs that know both the mountain and industry territories.

“We see Browns Ski Shop Newmarket as being the Northern gateway to Queenstown and Southern Lakes skiing. This is where our Auckland clients will be able to access on-the-ground support, advice or top of the line purchases in much the same way as they always have, but on their doorstep,” said Mr Vermeir.

The Newmarket shop service extends to the super convenience of being able to order ski hire equipment and get fitted in Auckland prior to pick up on arrival in Queenstown.

“Just another aspect to awesome service that we’ve designed to help people spend more time on the snow once they’re here.” Photo Caption: Browns Ski Shop founder Derek Brown in his racing heyday.

Courtesy of Southern Public Relations - www.southernpr.co.nz