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Good news for snow bunnies ... New Zealand's largest skiing and snowboarding areas will this weekend have their earliest opening since 1992.
Turoa and Whakapapa skifields on Mt Ruapehu have had good snow conditions over the past week, with cold temperatures and low humidity.
So tomorrow, they will open the Alpine Meadow and Happy Valley lower slopes.
Mt Ruapehu marketing manager Mike Smith said snowmaking and good natural snowfalls were building the bases on the upper slopes.
"Early indications are very positive for the season, and it is fantastic to be opening earlier than in previous years.
"One or two good natural snowfalls on the upper slopes will allow groomers to start making trails and more lifts to open over the next couple of weeks."
The Tukino ski field on the eastern side of Mt Ruapehu is not expected to open until July 25.
The only other New Zealand slopes open are Coronet Peak, near Queenstown, and Mt Lyford in Canterbury.
Snowmaking added to Coronet Peak's 60cm snow base last week, giving the resort its best early-season cover in years.
