New Sugar Bowl chairlift opening

It took longer and cost more than the original $16 million plan, but two years on, NZSki will finally open the Sugar Bowl chairlift on Saturday.

The project, at the Remarkables Ski Area, was hampered a few times, initially when approval from the Department of Conservation was sought and, more recently, when Covid-19 border restrictions shut out specialist workers.

"It’s been a super-extended period, from time of concept through to getting it handed over to us, but it’s very exciting," ski area manager Ross Lawrence said.

Skiers and snowboarders will be able to access 2.5km of new trail.

The six-seater lift takes passengers to the top slopes in a single 1.1km trip taking four minutes.

Mr Lawrence previously told Otago Daily Times the price tag had risen above $17 million, but would not say by how much.

The next major project would be to replace the Shadow Basin lift, he said.