The Mackenzie Country skifield between Lake Tekapo and Fairlie had a 90cm snow base yesterday, after two recent large snowfalls and 2cm of new snow on Tuesday.
The staff were preparing trails yesterday and would be training today, skifield owner and manager Peter Foote said yesterday.
The snow base has been described as the strongest for many years, allowing the skifield to open three weeks ahead of schedule.
"The team is absolutely buzzing and can't wait to get the show on the road," he said.
Mt Dobson Ski Area will be open just at weekends until July 4, then seven days a week until October.
Mr Foote is employing eight staff on the mountain this year, plus two administrators.
The ski school is contracted out and employs four instructors.
Mr Foote said the 30th celebration was a special milestone.
He and his late wife Shirley founded the ski area in 1979 and their three sons had all put in a tremendous amount of work.
Mr Foote (66) said despite being eligible to collect the pension for a year, he has no intention of retiring just yet.
Mt Dobson Ski Area is on the 2089m Dobson Peak, between Lake Tekapo and Fairlie, and is not to be confused with the 2271m Mt Dobson in the Aoraki Mt Cook National Park. There is 400ha of skiable terrain.
Mt Dobson events
Club Fun Events Day: Sunday, August 9
Interfield Race (with Otago and Mid-Canterbury): Sunday, August 16
Aoraki Secondary School Championships: Monday, August 17 (August 18 if closed)
South Island Secondary School championships: Saturday, September 12
See www.dobson.co.nz.