Cardrona opening with light cover

Cardrona skifield will open this weekend but there will be no skiing or snowboarding for at least another week until there is enough snow.

General manager Bridget Legnavsky said although the snow base was 15cm, it was not deep enough for grooming or snow sports action.

However, the skifield would still open as scheduled this weekend for sightseeing, meals, shopping and hiking, she said.

The mountain would be closed between Monday and Thursday next week while staff prepared for lower temperatures and snow-making.

"One of the things we do know is that the snow will come," Ms Legnavsky said.

It was hoped the mountain would open for skiing and snowboarding next week.

Cardrona communications media executive Jen Houltham said temperatures looked much colder from early next week.

"We should be able to get a decent amount of snowmaking done to open for skiing and snowboarding next Friday,"she said.

Wanaka’s other skifield, Treble Cone, is scheduled to open on June 25.

marjorie.cook@odt.co.nz