Despite warm temperatures preventing its opening so far, the Naseby Ice Luge and outdoor Maniototo Ice Rink could be ready to go by next weekend, depending on the weather.
Although Queen's Birthday Weekend was the preferred opening date, it had not been possible this year, and the operators were waiting for a run of cold weather to allow snow-making for the luge and water freezing for the rink.
Maniototo Ice Rink chairman Jock Scott, of Kyeburn, said they were ready to start making snow and ice, as long as they got a favourable forecast.
''If we get a period of three nights of about negative six degrees then we can make a base of ice of maybe 75 to 100mm thick [on the rink] ... if we get a [below freezing] temperature of -6degC to -8degC we can have ice on the luge in two nights.''
The rink believed it had solved the problem in past seasons which had affected the pipes that circulate glycol to encourage freezing.
A snow-making machine was used for the luge track, and the colder the temperature, the more snow could make.
While the usual opening date was in early June, opening later was not uncommon, he said.
''Last year was hopeless. We were suffering from the same thing - base problems. Then we got that humungous snow on June 21. If we get open next weekend it won't be the latest [opening of the facilities].''
He was confident the rink and luge were on the right track for opening, compared to other years.
The facilities had been receiving ''a lot'' of inquiries about opening, but people were understanding, he said.
A number of events were planned for the winter, including the Nicholson, Hore and Dowse Trophy curling tournaments and a luge coach from Germany would be based at the venue.
