A national bonspiel is "possible" after frigid temperatures in the Maniototo, but those in the know are reluctant to jinx it.
The outdoor curling tournament was last held in Naseby in 2015, at its Centennial Ponds. The last time it was held at its usual location, the larger Idaburn Dam in the Ida Valley, was 2012.
Ken Gillespie, whose Oturehua land contains the Idaburn Dam, said a bonspiel was a "possibility".
"We were skating on the dam before it snowed. There’s about 65mm of really nice black ice under the snow. We’d probably need a minimum of 100mm, but 125mm would be better."
In parts of the valley there were unofficial recordings of temperatures as low as -13degC some mornings, he said.
"We really need to get into double figures to make a bit of ice. Once you’re down to -10degC you have a bit of progress."
Mr Gillespie would check the thickness of the ice on the dam most days.
"I’ve got the canteens all painted and put a new servery out in front of it. So we’re all ready."
Naseby ice master Jock Scott said the area was experiencing wintry weather, but there was "a bit of ice to make yet" before a bonspiel could be called.
"We need clear air and low humidity. But the good news is because of our altitude [610m] we are getting snow where other places might be getting rain."
He was not concerned whether a bonspiel was held in Naseby or on the Idaburn, he said.
"The point is in the brotherhood of the game. It’s actually getting it played and every curler looks towards that."
Hundreds of curlers from throughout the country are expected to flock to the area if a bonspiel is announced.
"And there are the people that come to watch. People tend to come out of the woodwork for a bonspiel, whereas they are a bit reticent to come curling at other times."
