The dusting of snow on the mountains last week has focused attention on the upcoming ski season.
Remarkables Ski Area manager Ross Lawrence said the snow was "a good header into winter". Coronet Peak Ski Area manager Hamish McCrostie agreed, saying it "turns everyone's thoughts towards winter".
NZSki, which runs Coronet Peak and the Remarkables Ski Area, was preparing for the winter season and had announced some new amenities for the skifields.
Mr Lawrence said new trail tracks, performance rental equipment, a new snow groomer and buses to get people to the mountain were new features at the Remarkables area.
"We're looking forward to using all of that; it's going to be an exciting winter."
The new snow groomer was an exciting addition because "like a new car, it can do more things".
There were also minor additions to general maintenance and the food and beverage service, which were "small things in comparison".
Mr McCrostie said the Ice Bar at Coronet Peak had been enlarged because of its popularity, and the children's fun zone had been improved.
"It was introduced last year and it's been a real hit so we're just expanding that with some boxes, some low-level boxes for the kids to enjoy," Mr McCrostie said.
This year, visitors to the Remarkables, Coronet Peak and Mt Hutt will be able to pre-load money on to their Mypass card online and use it for any mountain purchases.
Because of demand, there are two new buses to transport people from central locations up to Coronet Peak and the Remarkables.
Mr Lawrence was waiting for "the one big ingredient" to complete the picture - the snow.
Coronet Peak is due to open on June 9 and the Remarkables a week later, on June 16, depending on snow conditions.
