Snow-dump welcomed as ski season nears

Snow covered much of the Remarkables snowfield yesterday. PHOTOS: NZSKI

The icy blast in the South gave a reminder — the ski season is less than two months away.

Snow fell across most of the southern mountains yesterday but it is not time to get the skies out just yet.

The Remarkables skifield received between 10-20cm of snow on its field yesterday while Coronet Peak had about 10cm.

Snow also fell over the hill at Cardrona and Treble Cone.

NZSki staff member Laura Hudson laps up the snowfall at The Remarkables yesterday.

The Remarkables Ski Area manager Ross Lawrence said it was a real positive to get the snow and though it was cold now warmer weather was on the way which would lead to the snow melting.

But the snow helped make the ground colder which would help in the long run.

The Remarkables was set to open on June 15 and Coronet Peak a day earlier.

The Remarkables was nearing the end of a $24 million infrastructure project being built to open up the Shadow Basin, a 43ha expansion of the ski area.

Mr Lawrence was entering his final week in his job at the field and will be replaced by former Wakatipu High School principal Steve Hall.