Snowmaking effort until skifields open

What was a barren landscape on Coronet Peak a few days ago is starting to whiten as snowmaking at the ski area continues.

Manager Nigel Kerr says "all guns are blazing" to get the skifield open as soon as possible.

It was meant to open on Sunday, but that had been pushed back until some time next week, depending on progress.

The ski area’s extensive snowmaking system had been running since 8pm on Thursday, Mr Kerr said.

Mother Nature was expected to co-operate throughout the coming week, with continuing cold temperatures suitable for snowmaking, and natural snow forecast for midweek. Last year, Coronet Peak opened on June 25.

Sister skifield The Remarkables is scheduled to open on June 26.

On the other side of the Crown Range the snowmaking guns have been "going steadily" since Thursday night when temperatures at Cardrona Alpine Resort dropped below zero for the first time in weeks.

Spokeswoman Jen Houltham said they were making snow "as fast as they can".

The skifield has had to postpone opening its slopes to skiers and snowboarders twice due to a lack of snow on the ground. It hoped to open its learners slope on Monday.

Wanaka’s other skifield, Treble Cone, plans to open June 25.

- By Daniel Alvey and Kerrie Waterworth

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