At least three more ski areas in New Zealand are expected to open for their 2023 seasons this weekend, joining the country's first-to-open, Mt Hutt as it enters its second week of the winter.
Cardrona, Coronet Peak and The Remarkables are all currently due to open, initially with limited terrain. Most have a mixture of natural and machine made snow with low temperatures over the last week allowing efficient snowmaking.
"The snow base is not quite as substantial as we would have loved, but there is certainly enough for those first of the season laps," a statement from Cardrona, which opens on Saturday, explained.
The current plan there is to have the learner's slope and McDougal's open for skiing and snowboarding along with a small rail set up in the mix. There'll also be a DJ set up at Noodle Bar to get the season started.
"The team have been training all week and working hard to get the place ready to go for opening on Saturday. We can't wait to have the lifts spinning again and to welcome everyone back to the Maunga for winter 2023!" said Laura Hedley, General Manager at Cardrona and Treble Cone ski areas.