Queenstown's skifield representatives say the season is firing on all cylinders, with thousands of thrilled guests, full employment of hundreds of staff and satisfactory snow levels.
Coronet Peak had 95cm of snow at the top and 60cm on the lower mountain this week.
A constant topping up of 5cm of snow, augmented by the snow-making machines, was paying off, assistant ski manager Nick Edwards said.
"The season gets better every year and this one has a really good feeling about it among guests and staff."
There had been fewer than 20 closed days since the launch of the season on June 7, mostly due to a 10-day patch of warm weather in June, he said.
"We're having a great season, good coverage and everything's open, and that happened really early on.
"It's been a funny season in terms of the snow levels, in that we're not getting the big dumps but the good thing about Coronet Peak is we don't need it.
"The investment in the snow guns made a difference and we've been using them whenever the conditions are right, at least two or three times per week."
Staffing numbers were around the 300 mark, a few more than last year to operate the new and larger base building.
Starter packs, involving equipment rental, lift pass and lessons, were proving especially popular as new skiers and riders came on board.
"We've put a lot of time and money into the mountain. The snow's been excellent, the snow guns are performing and the base building has worked really well."
Mr Edwards said Coronet Peak historically closed in early October but the date depended on conditions.
"We want to say a big thank you to everyone who has come up and enjoyed the snow. It's good to see so many people having fun, and feedback from clients and friends, who've been skiing here for 50 years or more, has been outstanding."
When The Remarkables started its season on June 30, snow was a little light on the trails but it had settled to more than a metre on the top and 60cm lower down by last weekend.
Weather had closed the ski field for two days so far, compared to four days last season.
About 230 staff were rostered on, with 140 working on a given day.
Ski area manager Ross Lawrence said everyone was enjoying the field although it was proving to be an average season in terms of guest numbers and product sales.
The youth action market was bolstered by the opening of The Stash last month, which was attracting national and international exposure, he said.
"We're enjoying the snow, always looking for more. Skiing and riding is all good."
Meanwhile, Mt Hutt Ski Area staff were running out of superlatives to describe the season they were having, assistant ski area manager James McKenzie said.
"We had a chap from Mt Whistler skiing on the south face and he said it was the best he'd done in 25 years. He did 80 turns in ankle-deep powder."
Mt Hutt Ski Area is averaging 2.3m powder depth across the trails and about 50,000 guests had skied or boarded so far.
However, blizzards had caused a higher than usual number of closed days - 12 this season compared to 18 for the whole 2007 season.
"We're having bigger days when we're open but more closed days than last year," Mr McKenzie said.
There were about 250 staff on roster and more than 150 working on weekends.
Employees were keeping busy digging snow out of the base building and keeping the access road, walls, deck and roof clear.
The ski field's latest big snowfall day was July 31, when 1m fell.
About 2m fell in the week before and there was another 15cm on Sunday and Monday.
