With a lower snow base layer of 75cm, the Remarkables skifield opened for the 2013 season today.
As the first chair was boarded by NZSki mascots Spike and Shred and Remkarkables Primary School pupils Alicia Webster and Reuben Thompson, snow was falling.
NZSki's Remarkables ski area manager Ross Lawrence was thrilled with the snowy conditions.
"To be frank it's not often that we have such amazing snow and the coverage we've got from day one. I'm hearing lots of 'yahoos' as people get their first runs in and there's plenty of smiles, plenty of good times."
In Queenstown central the Winter Festival street parade - which this year included a unicorn and zombies as well as the staple school floats with waving children - entertained locals and visitors at noon.
Tomorrow's events include the Coronet Peak Skin to the Summit race at 7am and the Day on the Bay at noon featuring the much anticipated birdman competition where costumed contestants jump into Lake Wakatipu.
