The lack of recent natural snow means snow cover on Queenstown and Wanaka skifields has started to thin as fields rely on snow-making to maintain cover on main runs.
Mr Crow said the airstream had turned milder and ended the recent run of hoar frosts in Queenstown and surrounds, but rain was on its way.
Yesterday he said: "It will be getting milder and wetter starting from tomorrow" as Queenstown potentially breaks into double-figure temperatures and, unfortunately for local skifields, rain was also a possibility at the lower levels.
"There won't be anything [snow] below 1800 metres. It certainly won't freshen up the bottom of the skifields.
"Temperatures are definitely rising, not that the skiers will like that."
Skiers could find consolation in the unpredictable nature of the weather and look forward to the rest of winter, he said.
"Winter is a long way from being finished. I can't look too far ahead ... anything can happen."
He suspected the end of the month might hold hope for fresh-powder enthusiasts.
Wanaka skifields are hoping a weather system approaching this weekend will deliver snow to cover the rocks and tussocks beginning to appear off-piste.
Cardrona and Treble Cone both reported their main trails were groomed and holding up well, thanks to snow-making.
Cardrona marketing manager Nadia Ellis said this had been assisted by consistently low temperatures which helped snow-makers produce "nice frost-dried snow".
However there was limited off-piste riding and skiing.
Treble Cone marketing co-ordinator Julia Atkinson said the cold conditions meant the snow had remained "really dry and chalky" on trails but elsewhere slopes were less well covered.
"We still consider it early season. This time last season, no-one even had snow."
Both skifields were busier this week than last, indicating people were booking skiing holidays later.
Surveys done at Cardrona showed skier numbers consistent with the start of last season.
Ms Ellis would not reveal what proportion of skiers were from Australia.
"I can't share with you any specific data. Suffice to say the car parks have been full, which is a very good sign."
Remarkables ski area manager Ross Lawrence said the field "could always do with a bit more snow" but for now he was enjoying the sunshine, as were his staff and visitors.
"It's fair to say we've only had one decent snowfall" which occurred over three days late in June and resulted in a 60cm boost.
Mr Lawrence was positive more snow would arrive, as winter was still fresh.
