Usually, Ruapehu's ski season starts in early July.
However, thanks to a new 1.5 million dollar giant slushy snow making machine, the central North Island ski field is considering its options.
"Around extending the season, possibly some snow play through to our summer sightseeing product, and we certainly think an even earlier open next year," says Operations Manager Steve Manunui.
Steve Manunui is running the machine.
He says as it is new technology, it's all about trial and error.
"If this all comes to fruition, with some snow through to the christmas holidays, then have a little break in the middle, then not long after that we will start snowmaking again," says Mr Manunui.
Operating in temperatures of up to 24 degrees, the machine pipes 200 cubic meters of frozen snow per day into piles, which are then spread out.
"The magic number for the snow factory is 24 degrees. That's when mother nature will melt it, at the same rate that you are making it," says Mr Manunui.
Making snow isn't cheap, it's not just the cost of purchasing the machine, it is also the cost of running it.
"It cost us about 1.5 million dollars, and the huge cost, or the main cost around operating that is power. It uses around 340 kilowatts, which is a little bit. It would run a few houses a day." says Mr Manunui.
But so far the investment has been worth it.
"We opened Happy Valley a full month before we did last year, and it was our biggest weekend in terms of visitor numbers across the last decade," says Marketing manager Matt McIvor.
Is artificial snow the way of the future?
Kiwis might only have to wait till next season to find out.
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