Awakino skifield, near Kurow, reopened for a Labour Weekend encore yesterday, thanks to "unprecedented" levels of spring snow.
Volunteers at the skifield have been busy preparing the field for the long weekend.
Waitaki Ski Club secretary David Campbell said volunteers had "pulled out all the stops" to allow for one last weekend of skiing.
Mr Campbell said "substantial" snowfall last week and further snow this week had "refreshed" the skifield, and volunteers had cleared 2m snowdrifts from the access road.
Such snowdrifts were "unprecedented" this late in the season, he said.
"Despite officially closing on Sunday, October 7, a return to more winter-like conditions and some interest from keen skiers, with only one other skifield in the South Island left to ski, has prompted the ski club to open for one last weekend this season.
"Two weeks ago it was looking like being all over for the short and sweet 2012 season.
However, it now looks better than it did in July." A total of 10cm of snow fell last Saturday, on top of an 8cm fall the week before.
Ski club captain John Hamilton said the skifield had "a good covering for the time of year".
Mr Hamilton said the last time he could recall skiing at Awakino on Labour Day was 25 years ago.
