Light snowfalls have delayed the opening of the Awakino skifield above Kurow, losing the Waitaki Ski Club school holiday patronage.
Club captain John Hamilton said cold and dry conditions meant delaying opening a further two weeks until the end of this month.
"Early-season snowfalls have been light and the wind has redistributed snow across the slopes.
This has meant that the skifield is unable to open for the winter school holidays and has lost bookings as a result," he said yesterday.
Despite the early-season setbacks, the ski club had made good progress on upgrading the main tow and improving its safety system. Everything was ready to go once the snow arrived.
Mr Hamilton said bookings for August were solid.
"We hope to get some skiing in this season."
The club was aiming for a Saturday, July 28, opening in the hope it would get enough snow by then.
The opening date will be confirmed on the club's internet website (skiawakino.com).
