Queenstown's skifields have resorted to controlled explosions to ensure the safety of skiers and snowboarders after the Remarkables and Coronet Peak received more than 30cm of snow at the weekend.
Remarkables ski area manager Ross Lawrence said avalanche control work was carried out at the Sugar Bowl and Shadow Basin on Sunday and again on Monday.
"Our patrol staff blasted a couple of sizeable avalanches loose at both areas as a safety precaution, and we put the Shadow Basin chairlift on hold for an hour Sunday morning, while the explosives were used," he said.
"The main thing is to ensure the entire ski area is safe. There is still some great fresh snow to be found, and we have been really busy Monday and Tuesday," Mr Lawrence said.
With heavy snow falling throughout the day on Saturday, thousand of skiers and boarders turned up to Coronet Peak on Sunday eager to get a taste of fresh snow.
However, with the limited visibility, some lifts were closed while others were running on low speed, causing long queues.
"Even with so many people up here wanting to enjoy the snow, we still have our safety parameters to adhere to.
Fortunately, the weather cleared during the day, so we could move people up the slopes faster," Coronet Peak ski area manager Hamish McCrostie said.
On Saturday night, the Remarkables and Coronet Peak received between 33cm and 45cm of snow.
The Remarkables received a further 2cm on Monday.
The base at the Remarkables is now 80cm on the lower slopes and 95cm at the top, while Coronet has 80cm at the base building and up to 110cm on the upper slopes.
"We have absolutely awesome snow conditions right now. This is as good as it gets up here on the slopes," Mr McCrostie said.
NZSki chief executive James Coddington said the excellent conditions were likely to remain for at least a week.
"This is an impressive dump of snow and more is predicted later in the week for the Remarkables. Right now, there is fantastic skiing and riding across both mountains."
The forecast from MetService shows a fine and frosty day today, with rain or snow possible from tomorrow until Sunday.
