Cardrona is the latest skifield in the South Island to open and a longer season than last year is expected.
Coronet Peak and the Remarkables opened last weekend, and Treble Cone is on track to open next weekend.
Cardrona's opening coincides with the beginning of the Queenstown winter festival on Friday evening.
The skifield is open two weeks earlier than last year and is scheduled to be open for an extra week at the end of the season, in early October.
