Weather is bad news for skifield operators

Coronet Peak skifield. Photo / Supplied

This week's balmy temperatures mean bad news for Lakes District skifield operators.

Queenstown meteorologist David Crowe said Queenstown's Wednesday maximum of 15.3 degrees Celsius made it the warmest July day since the 16.2C high recorded on July 12, 2003.

The all-time July high for Queenstown was 17.2C in 1958. Wanaka on Wednesday reached 14.8C, with a 7C minimum, and yesterday the

maximum for both Wanaka and Queenstown was 14C.

Mr Crowe said there was no sign of rain in the forecast until at least next Wednesday.

The unseasonal weather forced Coronet Peak skifield yesterday to put its night skiing on hold this weekend.

Coronet Peak ski area manager Hamish McCrostie said the priority was the daytime skiing operations and this meant grooming the field after dark.