Queenstown's ski season is finally off to a flyer.
Coronet Peak ski area manager Nigel Kerr says, compared to 2023, they’ve had a busier start — and this week’s winter storm is "exactly what the doctor ordered".
Coronet received about 40cm of snow on main runs, which they’ve been topping up with snowmaking.
Cooler temperatures predicted for the rest of this week mean the guns will keep firing, enabling it to be 100% open in time for the Kiwi school holidays, which start on Saturday.
Meantime, over at The Remarks, boss Steve Hall says the conditions are "tremendous" for this time of year.
That skifield received 50cm during this week’s polar blast, right on time for the school holiday influx.
He says the natural snow’s "perfect" because it’s dense, creating a good base for the rest of the season.
"With the snow arriving, people are extra-keen to head up the mountain."
Off the back of The Remarkables’ busiest season ever last year, Hall says visitors to the mountain already indicate it could be another record-breaker.
"Overall, the mountain has been busier than it was at this time last year, but the school holidays will be what tells if we get another record season or not."
Hall’s hoping to get The Remarks fully open by Saturday too, including the new Shadow Basin chairlift, officially opened by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon last Friday afternoon.
