The ski season opened in style, with people queuing through the night to be the first on the chair lifts this morning.
Queenstown's Coronet Peak enjoyed fantastic conditions. Photo: Supplied
Coronet Peak near Queenstown and Canterbury's Mount Hutt ski fields both opened this morning.
Mount Hutt was due to open yesterday but had to delay its opening due to strong winds.
Mount Hutt ski area manager James McKenzie said there were over 400 people out enjoying the slopes today, which are covered in 30 to 40cm of snow.
"The trails are looking great. We hope with better weather tomorrow we will be able to get people further up the mountain."
He said chairlift 6 was closed today due to the wind, but with conditions set to improve tomorrow, bigger crowds were expected.
Four Queenstown locals were the first on the snow, and in the lift. Photo: Supplied
At Coronet Peak, four Queenstown locals spent the night outside the ski field in a bid to be the first on the snow.
16-year-old Finn Duffy said it was definitely worth queuing for.
"We built a makeshift fire to keep warm. It is definitely worth it - there is a nice dusting up here."
Coronet Peak ski area manager Ross Copland said it was great to be open for another season.
"We're expecting to see lots of Australian visitors this year, as Queenstown airport is seeing increased traffic of up to 59 scheduled flights a week in peak season."
He said about 1,600 skiers and snowboarders were on the mountain to help celebrate the start of the New Zealand ski season.
