Ski field staff waiting on the weather while snow fails to fall

The snow woes have continued for Queenstown's ski fields, with no natural snow falling this week and temperatures still too warm to make any, but good news may be on the horizon.

Coronet Peak ski area manager Hamish McCrostie said yesterday it was "pretty bare" on Coronet Peak, which had so far only managed to be open for five days since June 7.

The ski field had been closed since last Friday due to heavy rain and mild weather, which depleted the natural snow base of 60cm which fell in May.

Mr McCrostie said while temperatures in the valleys in the resort had been cold during the latter part of this week, with frosts once again greeting residents in the morning, an inversion layer had kept air at the mountain too warm for snow-making.

However, he was hopeful a front likely to bring snow would hit on Sunday evening, possibly continuing on Monday and Tuesday.

"Well just see how that pans out. It will just depend on the cold temperatures.

"All we need is the cold temperatures [but] it would be nice to get some natural snow."

Meanwhile, Mr McCrostie said the Coronet Peak staff - who had been stood down while the ski field was out of action - were in "good heart".

The "non-core" staff were told of the decision earlier this week, which meant a "significant number" were essentially on leave without pay.

The staff had enjoyed daily barbecue lunches, a day trip to Milford Sound and a boat cruise, a bowling tournament and yesterday headed to The Big Picture at Cromwell "for a wine", he said.

"They're all in good heart, we're keeping them together and doing what we can."

The Remarkables had been scheduled to open today, but as yet there was no firm opening date scheduled.

Ski area manager Ross Lawrence said everything was "prep'ed and ready to go" as soon as the snow fell or the temperatures dropped.

"It's been amazing leaving Queenstown in the morning and going up the hill, you get up so far and it's warmer on the mountain than it is in town.

"The only positive that we can see in the short term is that [the snow] is coming."

While Mr Lawrence said he would "love" to predict an opening date, it was a case of wait and see.

"We really just have to keep an eye on it - within a 24-hour period we could be up and running, but we don't know how much snow's coming until it's been."

Staff at the Remarkables had just finished a week-long training and induction period and were also prepared and ready to go, but like their Coronet Peak counterparts, were also "on hold".

They too were having daily barbecues and activities to keep spirits high, hoping by the end of next week they would be in full swing on the mountain.