An unprecedented early season snowfall, the return of tourists and relatively calm weather have combined for the perfect opening day to Queenstown's ski season.
About 2500 riders have hit the slopes on Coronet Peak today and at nearby Cardrona, McDougall's and Whitestar are open.
For locals and businesses this has been a ski season three years in the making.
The first ski season with open borders to provide assurance to tourists since 2019, and as a result the mood at Coronet Peak was jubilant.
NZSki chief executive Paul Anderson said he was feeling similarly celebratory.
"This crowd has really got the vibe - there's a lot of amp in the crowd. We're just so happy to get the mountain open, it's looking incredible. The team out here have done an amazing job of getting the mountain ready," he said, this morning.
When the lifts started spinning just before 9am, dozens had queued in the hopes of being first on the slopes.
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Among them was Christchurch teenager Noelani Ritchie.
The 16-year-old was first in line - last night.
"I came here last night about 7pm and I slept for about two hours. I stayed here all night and I got this," she said, gesturing to her 'First on the chair' t-shirt.
"I'm so happy."
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
School kids and veterans alike got in on the fun.
Even a snow sports superstar made an appearance.
Olympian Alice Robinson said it was her first opening day in a few years, but conditions were too good to miss.
"It's definitely the best start to winter that I can remember and I've lived her my whole life, so it's pretty awesome. It's great to see people out and about ... and it's a pretty great way to kick off the winter," she said.
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Coronet Peak ski area manager Nigel Kerr said he was stoked with opening day turnout and conditions - as too much snow had threatened to push back their plans.
"We had the road, which was a huge issue, and then the avalanche control on the mountain as, particularly over the weekend, the whole mountain was slipping and sliding and doing all sorts of weird and wonderful things. So there were certainly some concerns, but a lot of hard work and here we are reaping the benefit."
Everything had come together and made for a massive opening day with 2500 riders, more than doubling usual opening day expectations.
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Local enthusiasm had driven the massive turnout, Kerr said.
"Why would you live in Queenstown in the winter if you're not getting out on to the mountains?" he asked.
"This is all our locals. This is our bread and butter. So it's great to see them up here. It's great to see them enthused."
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
