Mt Ruapehu may go ahead with its scheduled opening on Saturday but facilities could be limited.
The Central North Island's skifields have not enjoyed the same heavy dumpings of snow experienced in the South Island over the past week. But Ruapehu Alpine Lifts is still looking at opening Turoa and Whakapapa skifields for the start of the winter ski season on Saturday, although not all facilities will be operating.
Both skifields still need another good snowstorm to top up the upper fields.
Meanwhile, snowmakers are hard at work on the lower parts of the fields, building up a snow base.
Although the snow was looking good after a snowstorm last week, heavy rain last weekend washed away some snow, leaving the snow base on the fields at between 20-23cm.