KEY POINTS:
Snow-making machines are running 24 hours a day to prepare the slopes of Mt Ruapehu for skiers and snowboarders.
The Happy Valley beginners' area at Whakapapa opens today, following the opening of Turoa's Alpine Meadow learners' slopes on Sunday.
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts marketing manager Mike Smith said other areas higher on the mountain were likely to begin opening early next week.
"We've had extremely good snow-making conditions over the last few days and have almost 90 snow guns operating continuously," he said.
"There's a good storm cycle on the way which will also bring some good natural snowfalls."
Mr Smith said lifts would open progressively as snow cover increased.
"Everything is looking very good for the start of the school holidays at the end of the month."
As of yesterday, Whakapapa had a 20cm base and Turoa a 40cm base.
Fifty-five snow guns were operating at Whakapapa and 35 at Turoa to take advantage of cool, clear conditions that were good for making snow.
A west-southwesterly front was expected to bring snow from tonight, pulling cold air and moisture from the south Tasman Sea across the mountain.
About 5000 people celebrated the start of winter at the annual Ruapehu Mountain Mardi Gras in Ohakune on Saturday, and 300 braved bitter southeasterlies to view new facilities at Turoa and attend the opening of Alpine Meadow on Sunday.
In the South Island, skifields have also begun to open.
Mt Hutt, near Christchurch, has a 26cm base and skiing on groomed trails, while Coronet Peak, near Queenstown, has 30cm of snow on the upper mountain and several chairlifts open.
The Remarkables field plans to open Saturday, and Wanaka skifields Cardrona and Treble Cone are due to open Friday and Tuesday, respectively.
