9 Jul 2016

Ski fields lacking enough snow to fully open

9:53 am on 9 July 2016

Ski field operators across the country are praying for snow as the school holidays get under way today.

Remarkables ski field

The Remarkables ski field in Queenstown has good snow coverage across most of its trails. Photo: Supplied

Normally their busiest time of the year, fields including Whakapapa and Turoa in the North Island and Treble Cone and Porters in the South are only able to open their beginner areas today.

Queenstown's Coronet Peak has not had any natural snow but thanks to snow makers was able to open for the first time in two weeks.

The head of the company operating the Whakapapa and Turoa ski areas Dave Mazey said he and his 650 staff were keen to see more of the white stuff soon.

He was hoping a front due next week would bring the 30 centimetres of snow the mountain needs to open up fully.

Canterbury's Mount Hutt, the Remarkables in Queenstown and Wanaka's Cardrona all have good snow coverage across most of their trails.

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