NZSki chief executive James Coddington said "the word" got out into the Australian market yesterday and that would lead to a surge in bookings. However, he expected the trend towards later bookings would continue.
"People are booking much, much later and closer to their arrival times, so they are being more reactive to where the snow is.
"This big snowfall ... people can see for themselves on facebook, webcams et cetera. So they are making decisions to come out next week. It's that quick."
Mr Coddington said NZSki was experiencing "significant" growth from Australia.
Any thoughts of an early season "snow drought" like last year's in the Southern Lakes region have been thoroughly buried over the past few days, much to the relief of those who rely on the ski industry for income.
Yesterday morning, Treble Cone staff struggled up the access road to 35cm of new snow at the base - confirming it will be ready to open tomorrow - in time for the school holidays which begin at the weekend.
Treble Cone marketing manager Nigel Kerr said yesterday the field had one of the worst ever starts to a season last year, while this year was "pretty normal".
"Delayed openings are very difficult for staff and customers alike.
"So now, in fairness, staff morale is high, everyone is focused on the season ahead and very positive."
And while last year it was June 30 before Coronet Peak opened, on man-made snow, in the last 48 hours it and the Remarkables, had received 50cm of natural snow on top of a man-made base.
Wanaka Chamber of Commerce president Leigh Stock, noting the light snow on the ground in Wanaka yesterday morning, said this time last year "we were still doing snow dances in the sun".
"This year we've obviously got cold ground temperatures.
"We've got snow on the hills ... so you would have to say we are in a lot better position as far as ability to attract our customers."
Mr Stock, who is general manager of Edgewater Resort, said it was still early days to see an impact on accommodation bookings.
"When you get a year like we did last year, people tend to be a little bit nervous early on, so when we get through this weather pattern and get some more settled conditions then people will really start coming into town in stronger numbers.
"But certainly, we are in a lot better position than we were last year."
Chairwoman of the hotel sector of the Tourism Industry Association, Penny Clark said there was a general positive feeling this year.
"There's nothing like waking up in the morning to see snow flakes coming down."
She said the weather was a huge contrast with last year's but it was still too early to tell how the arrival of snow was affecting the region's businesses.
