Ski report: big season ahead

Pack your skis and get ready for the snow.

The ski season is kicking off in many of the big fields around New Zealand this weekend with field operators picking good conditions.

Whakapapa The field opens tomorrow with a 60cm base on the upper mountain. Among the areas opening will be the Happy Valley beginners' slopes. The last fall was 15cm on June 11.

Turoa On the other side of Mt Ruapehu, Turoa also opens tomorrow with a 65cm base on the upper slopes. Weather for the weekend is expected to be fine and clear.

The Remarkables This South Island field opens Saturday with a 1m base. All the main trails in the Lata, Sugar Bowl and Shadow Basin areas are packed with snow.

Coronet Peak Coronet has already opened for business with a 60cm base on lower slopes and an 80cm one on upper areas. Organisers report good skiing and boarding conditions on groomed trails. The last snowfall was 5cm on Monday.

Cardrona Cardrona opens tomorrow with the field's organisers reporting the best cover for a decade. The base is 40cm on lower areas and 1m at the top of the field.

Mt Hutt The Mt Hutt field has already opened, with a base of 70cm. Good skiing and boarding is being offered on dry, wind-packed snow.

Treble Cone Treble Cone is due to open today. It has a 40cm base on lower levels, 1m at the top of six-seater chairlift and 1.5m at the top of Saddle Basin. The last fall was 50cm on June 1.