The New Zealand ski industry has passed a major milestone this winter, with more than 1.5 million people taking to the slopes across the country.
A total of 1,536,000 people have donned boards and skis during the five month winter season, which closes this weekend.
The figure is more than 100,000 up on last year's record.
Ski Areas Association executive director, Miles Davidson, says numbers have been climbing for a number of years.
He says the industry has invested in good lift systems, snow making and improved marketing both domestically and in Australia.
Mr Davidson says an $1100 handout given to Australian taxpayers by their government has also seen a big rise in visitors from across the Tasman.
