Provided
A drop in temperatures allowed for more snow overnight at Coronet Peak. Managers hope there will be enough snow to open next week.
Ski slopes in central Otago have delayed the opening of their season as warm weather hampers snowmaking efforts.
Queenstown’s Coronet Peak was scheduled to open this Saturday, but the mild weather meant neither natural snow nor snow.
Ski area manager Nigel Kerr said a cold change overnight Thursday resulted in around 12 hours of snowmaking.
“Things look a lot better now, and we’ve got a good base down. “
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At least 24 additional hours of snowmaking were needed before the ski area could open, he said.
“There is winter weather forecast for the next day or two and until next week.
“We are now in the winter cycle. “
RNZ
A large crowd was already waiting for the ski area to open on June 12, 2020, including Ben Yorston, first in line for the eighth consecutive year.
He expected Coronet Peak and the nearby Remarkables ski area to open next week, in time for the Australian school holidays, which begin on June 26.
It was not uncommon for the ski area not to open on its first scheduled opening day, he said.
“We weren’t open at this time last year. Anything in June is a bonus.
Closer to WÄnaka, the Cardrona alpine ski resort had planned to open for skiing on June 12, but only opened for tours and dining.
A rescheduled ski opening for Friday was also delayed due to “a week of tropical weather,” according to its Facebook page.
Danny Warley / Supplied
Snowmaking in progress at Cardrona Alpine Resort on Friday morning.
“Unfortunately we don’t have enough snow to open on Friday, but it looks like we’ll be able to get the snow cannons running over the weekend.
“I hope we can produce enough snow to open the learner trail on Monday June 21,†he said.
Mount Hutt, near Christchurch, opened with a record number of skiers on June 11 after receiving early season snow in late May.
ÅŒhau Snow Fields said that he received 20cm of fresh snow at the top of the field, his snowmaking system “was doing very well”. It is due to open on July 3.
