'Stars align' for Queenstown ski field's early opening

Skiers and snowboarders have got lucky with a last minute decision to open Coronet Peak today, two weeks earlier than expected.

Ski area manager Nigel Kerr said the "stars aligned" to bring together snow, weather and the staff required in order to open for just one day for the Queenstown ski field.

"We're supposed to open on 16 June, which obviously we will, but May has brought quite a lot of really good base-building snow, and really good snow-making temperatures.

"We thought we should try and keep the faith - particularly with our seasons pass holders and try and get a day in, pre when we're scheduled to open."

Mr Kerr said a decision was made on Tuesday and pass holders were emailed that night.

"They had four days' notice. It was just, if you're here, this is going to be on Saturday so come on up and so not unexpectedly most of our skiers and boarders up here are seasons pass holders."

About 2500 people had come up for the day with about 40 staff to operate the area - borrowed from the ski-field next door.

"We don't have any staff, they don't start until [next Monday] so it's been a real cobbled together effort.

"Fortunately for us we were able to borrow 40 staff from the Remarkables which is our sister ski area, opening next week over the other side of the valley."

He said the only two lifts closed were Greengates and Rocky Gully T-bar, but that still left 460 vertical metres to play on.

"There's certainly enough for that first ski-run and to find out that you're not really that ski fit."

The Remarkables ski field would also open earlier than expected because of good conditions.

Ski area manager Ross Lawrence said they would pull out all the stops to open by Thursday, instead of the planned next Saturday.

"With the great snow cover we have on site we will be looking to open with all aspects of our operation," he said.