File photo. Photo: Facebook via Mt Hutt / Nicole Hawke
The South Island ski season is officially kicking off with Mt Hutt opening its lifts today.
The Canterbury ski field was celebrating its 50th anniversary this winter and marked the occasion with events and a competition to win a 50-year season pass.
Mt Hutt was meant to open on Friday, but that was delayed to give snowmakers more time to build their trails.
NZSki chief executive Paul Anderson said it was a big year for the ski field and there were high hopes for a good season.
He said he was expecting a decent turnout from New Zealanders and strong demand from Australians.
"So over four days in August, 24th to the 27th, there's a whole string of events, starting off with a kick-off party in Methven on the 24th with Dragon playing down there," he said
" Dragon's going to be playing up on the mountain as well, and all kinds of crazy Mt Hutt events."
The events include an endurance challenge where competitors must access the lift every hour for 50 hours.