The start of the 2018 ski season seems set to prove wrong the old adage ''snow in May doesn't stay''.
NZ Ski's Coronet Peak skifield announced yesterday it would open on Saturday - just for the day - more than two weeks ahead of its official opening date of June 16.
That announcement follows Cardrona Alpine Resort's decision to open for the weekend, and then close again until June 16.
Coronet Peak ski area manager Nigel Kerr said yesterday early snow on top of warm ground did not usually last.
But this year, because of a series of good early falls and cold temperatures, it seemed likely the 40cm at the Coronet Peak base building, and the 80cm at the top of the mountain, would remain for the winter.
''I think it's staying quite well and things are looking pretty good.''
Mr Kerr said the idea of opening on Saturday had been discussed since early last week.
''A lot of it came down to the fine weather this week. Without that, we would never have been even contemplating it.''
Coronet Peak has only 20 staff on the payroll at this stage, he said, but had brought in another 30 from the Remarkables Skifield to help run the mountain for the day.
He expected most skiers would be season pass holders, although the field was open to anyone.
Mr Kerr said he still had quite a list of jobs to get completed before the field officially opened for the season.
''There's a lot of work now to get a mountain safe and operable.
''It's a challenge.''
