NZSki, operator of Coronet Peak and The Remarkables at Queenstown, and Mt Hutt ski area, has been crowned the 2009 Westpac Supreme Business of the Year.

The award was part of the Chamber of Commerce Queenstown Business Excellence Awards presented at a presentation evening event on November 27.

Winner of the small business category (1 to 10 employees) was D’Or Hairstylists, medium category (10 to 50 employees) winner was Queenstown Resort College, and winner of the large business category (50+ employees) was NZSki, which also took the Westpac Supreme award.

Entrepreneur Sir Tim Wallis received a round of applause when he received a Queenstown Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award, presented on behalf of the Chamber by Mayor Clive Geddes.

Chamber chairman Alastair Porter spoke about Sir Tim’s aviation, deer recovery and farming, and tourism ventures.

Sir Tim told the assembled business people that it was important for entrepreneurs to build a team, keep focused and be determined.