Warm weather in North Otago has led to a delayed season opening for one skifield operator and left another looking hopefully to the skies.
The Awakino skifield has been hardest hit, and has delayed its opening day.
Although there was 30cm to 100cm of snow on the slopes at the start of June, Waitaki Ski Club secretary David Campbell said warm weather and rain had "severely diminished" snow levels that a month ago had been well ahead of last year. Now there were only "patches" of snow.
Mr Campbell said the skifield, had planned to open in early June, but would now have to consider opening on August 4 "at the earliest".
"It was sort of starting to look promising then the warm weather stuffed it up for everyone.
Everything is ready to go ... bar the white stuff."
Staff at the Ohau Snowfields were more upbeat.
Lake Ohau Lodge assistant manager Jock Neilson said although he was "well aware" of the situation, the snowfield was still in good shape.
"The base is holding pretty good. There was enough man-made snow to allow us to keep trucking along. We're open, there's still blue skies and the sun is shining, so we will continue.
"I think for the next week that it will be cold enough and sunny enough for everyone to be happy. But, definitely, we're looking forward to that next snowfall."
