Skiers given top-to-toe access at Turoa

Tom Campbell tests the fresh powder at Turoa. More than 2000 skiers flocked to opening day. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Hundreds of skiers took to the slopes during Turoa's opening weekend with the rare chance at this time of year to experience an almost full run of the mountain.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts marketing manager Mike Smith said although poor weather hampered skiers on Saturday, more than 2000 people flocked to Turoa for its opening weekend.

He said staff had worked hard to produce more snow and prepare trails to get the High Noon Express open, meaning skiers could access the upper and lower slopes on Sunday - a rarity so early in the ski season.

"It's unprecedented really for us to have the High Noon Express open and to have top-to-bottom skiing in the first weekend is pretty much unheard of," said Mr Smith. He said Whakapapa needed more snow on the upper slopes but was due to open this weekend.

Whakapapa's temporary cafeteria facilities, built after an arsonist burned down the three-storey Knoll Ridge Chalet and an equipment shed about 200m away in February, would be ready by the middle of next week.

MetService weather ambassador Bob McDavitt was expecting fine and settled weather at both skifields for the next few days and the possibility to add more snow to Turoa's 105cm base and Whakapapa's 50cm.

Conditions are likely to turn northeasterly from Thursday through to the weekend with rain possible on Friday.

Aucklanders can expect continued fine weather with light winds although it is likely to be frosty and fog is expected on Thursday.