"There's a lot of snow that fell but it's now settled, and there's more in gullies and less on ridges," Ms Dowsett said.
"So once we get the snow, we then have to spend a lot of time pushing it around, spreading it out, and putting it where we want it."
The job had been made easier by more than $3 million of new machinery on Mt Ruapehu, including five groomers capable of pushing masses of snow and eight snow guns able to top up hard-packed trails on a cold morning with 20cm to 30cm of fresh powder. Mt Ruapehu's operators have budgeted for around 385,000 visitors this season, with a typical busy day seeing up to 5000 people on Turoa's slopes and 6000 at Whakapapa.
The impending influx meant snow-clearing and snow-making efforts had become a night and day operation, she said.
"Basically, we work a good 10- to 12-hour day now in getting ready and getting operational - it's all hands to the wheel."
She described the mood among her team as "stress, excitement, anxiety, anticipation - all rolled into one".
And as for the season's weather outlook, her gut feeling was good.
"It's definitely starting off in the right direction."
Record early season dumps also graced the opening weeks at South Island fields Mt Hutt, The Remarkables and Coronet Peak this month, and treated Manganui Ski Area at Mt Taranaki to a 15cm base.
The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Science's winter climate outlook forecasted slightly above average temperatures across the country. But above-average precipitation, with cold snaps, meant there was little worry for skiers.
Snow Business
385,000 Visitors expected on the ski areas of Mt Ruapehu this season, opening on Saturday.
6000 Turnout at Whakapapa ski area on a typical busy day.
700 Attendants trained by full-time staff to work on the slopes this winter.
$3m Investment by Mt Ruapehu operators on new machinery to improve skiing conditions.
