SC ski areas set to open
Tekapo’s Roundhill ski area and the Ohau Snow Fields are set to open this weekend, kick-starting the ski season in South Canterbury.
‘‘We need a bit more snow to open everything, so we are doing a partial opening on Saturday, but all the beginner stuff and some of the intermediate stuff will be open,’’ Roundhill general manager Tim Douglass said.
‘‘We got about 35cm or so last weekend that’s been compacted down a bit on the trails where the groomers been so it’s a good base but it would be good to get a bit more.’’
He said last he checked there was more snow forecast for early next week.
This year, the company celebrates its 20th season since reopening in 2001 and will mark the occasion on the last Saturday in August.
‘‘It went on the backburner because of Covid-19 so we are still in the planning stages now that we are able to do group things again.
‘‘It will be good to see some familiar faces from over the years.’’
Douglass said everything has been promising so far in terms of season pass sales and there were 40 staff on site for training ahead of the opening.
‘‘Everyone is really excited to get going.’’
They plan to open every day that the weather and snow conditions allow until September 13 but will be assessing demand and scaling appropriately after the school holidays.
Ohau Snow Fields also received about 35cm snowfall last week and, according to MetService, another 11cm is predicted between today and Sunday.
Staff were undergoing training this week ahead of tomorrow’s opening, and the season is set to run until October 4, weather permitting.