Ruapehu ski season to start two weeks early

Good weather following the weekend's heavy snowfall has meant an early start to Mt Ruapehu's ski season.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, operator of the ski field, announced today it would be opening Turoa's Alpine Meadow beginners' slope on Saturday, two weeks earlier than planned.

Good weather following the weekend's snowfall had ensured perfect snowmaking conditions on both sides of Mt Ruapehu, marketing manager Mike Smith said.

It would be the earliest Turoa had opened, Mr Smith said.

Turoa would open upper mountain lifts on June 20.

Mr Smith said Whakapapa was on schedule to open on June 27, despite a deliberately lit fire in February that caused more than $10 million worth of damage.

The fire destroyed the ski field's Knoll Ridge Chalet, which housed a cafe and shops, a workshop and a chairlift building.

A temporary building is being put up for this year's ski season.

- NZPA