The opening weekend for the North Island ski season got off to a roaring start this weekend, with 12,000 people visiting Whakapapa alone on the first two days.
Whakapapa's Happy Valley learner slopes were at capacity by lunchtime Saturday.
"It's been a brilliant Matariki weekend, we couldn't have hoped for better, an amazing kickoff for us here at Whakapapa," said Steve Manunui, Whakapapa Skifield's operations manager.
Beginner skiers, sledders and sightseers from Wellington, Hamilton, Auckland and even Australia relished the chance to visit for opening weekend, with clear weather and a light base on the lower slopes.
"The vibe is hugely positive, it's just been fantastic, lots of happy faces," said Jess Till, Pure Turoa marketing manager.
"It's been a rough few years, so everyone is really excited to be here and you can feel that right down to Ohakune and Raetihi."
Turoa and Whakapapa ski fields have had a tumultuous few years with the COVID-19 pandemic and poor snowfall forcing their former owner Ruapehu Alpine Lifts into voluntary administration in 2022.
Turoa has opened its first season under new owner Pure Turoa, backed by local developer Cam Robertson and Greg Hickman.
"We actually have a storm coming up this week which we are quite excited about for a bit more snowfall."
On both Turoa and Whakapapa, the ability to ski the upper mountain is on track for mid-July.
"We're about where we project to be with the snow. We've opened up down here on the lower slopes with man-made snow and we've also had a couple of really good early storms up higher on the mountain. That's a great start, it helps fill in the gullies and what have you," said Steve Manunui, of Whakapapa.
For die-hard skiers, life passes remain controversially null and void following the split of the two ski fields, but Pure Turoa hopes renovations will help tempt some people back.
"Everything will be smoother this season. The Movenpick and the Parklane Chairlifts have had massive upgrades, the Alpine cafeteria and restaurant and bar upstairs look new. Getting your rentals and passes will just be smoother - it's all been reconfigured," said Till.
Whakapapa Ski field is currently being run by receivers Calibre Partners but management insist it's business as usual.
Four parties including former Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) boss Dave Mazey of Whakapapa Holdings Ltd, are interested in the ski field.
"We had interested parties and investors come through about a month ago, there was some due diligence that is now sitting with the receivers, so we are anxiously sitting here to work out where that leads us," Manunui told Newshub.
He said it'll make no difference to skiers this season, for whom "we are intent on creating a great product this 2024 season".
Newshub understands a decision by the receivers Calibre Partners on who will take over Whakapapa is imminent.
