Coronet Peak Ski Area was transformed from dry grassland to a skier's paradise by Tuesday night's snowfall and the field is ready to open on Saturday.
While there were heavy snowfalls in May, warm temperatures had melted significant amounts of the mountain's white blanket, until this week's cold spell hit.
Between 5cm and 10cm of snow fell and the field's 116 snowguns were pumping out more snow in yesterday's freezing temperatures.
Ski area manager Hamish McCrostie said more snow was expected before Saturday's opening.
This week's cold temperatures have also helped snowmaking efforts at Cardrona and Treble Cone, which are scheduled to open on June 22 and June 28 respectively.
"It's bitterly cold and there's been a [snow] dusting very low on the hills," Treble Cone marketing manager Nigel Kerr said yesterday.
Cardrona field manager Gary Husband said snowmaking started last week at the skifield but temperatures were not cold enough to make much headway.
"We're hoping over the next three or four days we'll be able to produce quite a bit of artificial snow," he said.
Snow Farm general manager Jo Lynch said the cross-country ski area was still aiming for a June 20 opening.
The Remarkables Ski Area is also reported to be on track to open on June 16, with 8cm of natural snow resulting from Tuesday night's blast.
Mike Neilson of the Ohau Snow Fields, due to open June 23, said the area received 20cm overnight and "it's been steadily snowing away all day".
Elsewhere, Danseys Pass was closed yesterday because of snow, but the rest of the Central Otago roads were unaffected.
Naseby, St Bathans, Ranfurly and Poolburn received a light coating of snow, up to 6cm, on Tuesday night.
In Naseby there was still about 6cm of frozen snow in the village yesterday and the temperature outside at 4.30pm was 0.7deg.
It was too warm last weekend for the Maniototo Ice Rink and luge track at Naseby to open for the season, but winter sports enthusiasts hope yesterday's snowfall will boost the chance of those facilities opening soon.
No Clutha roads were closed despite snow and black ice prevalent in many areas, particularly on the Kaitangata Highway, Clutha Valley Rd, Owaka Highway, and other high areas.
Many schools around the district were closed as a precaution.
Black ice contributed to two crashes on State Highway 1 south of Milton before 8am yesterday. Senior Constable Steve Griffiths, of Milton, said police were called to the second crash about 8am, when a car hit a bridge despite travelling at low speed.
Police encountered a second car left in a paddock after crashing, while attending the scene.
No injuries were reported in either crash.
A thin layer of snow settled in Balclutha and Clinton, creating slippery roads although no crashes were reported to police. A heavy dusting of snow settled in patches around the Catlins.
Further north, Mt Hutt received 60cm-70cm of snow overnight before its proposed opening this Saturday.
