Mt Hutt aiming for first May opening since 2009
Canterbury's Mt Hutt ski field is planning to open two weeks early - if weather conditions remain favourable.
More than one metre of snow fell on the slopes in early May, providing enough cover to open on King's Birthday weekend on May 31.
Mt Hutt ski manager James McKenzie told Midday Report the ski field had not opened in autumn for years.
"We haven't seen this for about 16 years. 2009 was our first May opening since this side of the millennium, so it's pretty exciting," he said.
McKenzie said a snowcat vehicle was already doing "quite a bit of a dig-out" to clear a fence buried in snow in preparation for the opening.
"It's all buried under snow and we have to sort of have to lift that netting fence up so that we can get operational," he said.
Clearing snow on Mt Hutt. Photo: Supplied
While snow had melted off lower parts of the mountain because of a north-westerly wind, there was still a good base of snow on the upper mountain, where about 50 to 80 centimetres of snow remained, McKenzie said.
"Looking at what we've got on the ground now, it is a fantastic start to the 2025 winter season for a southern ski field. So, we're just keeping our fingers crossed that it holds in there," he said.
Mt Hutt was originally scheduled to open on June 13.
Otago skifields Cardrona and Coronet Peak are scheduled to open on June 14.
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Canapés from executive chef Ryan Moore's kitchen were circulating, and below ground, a raw oyster bar greeted guests in The Residences' Barrel Room, with guided tours through the private cellars. Ryan Moore, David Nash, Milan and Paul Brajkovich at Discovering the Cellar at The College Hill Wine Room. Photo / Hope Patterson The secure cellars are temperature and humidity-controlled and offer members a full concierge service and 24/7 access to their collections, with the ability to drink their own wines in the Wine Room's restaurant with no corkage. Wine aficionados in attendance included Scarborough Group director, Ulrik Olsen, and wife Aisling; Ray White New Zealand CEO Daniel Coulson and wife Maddy of respected Ponsonby advertising firm Magnum; and Centuria NZ head of investor relations and communications, Matthew Butt. Ulrik and Aisling Olsen. Photo / Hope Patterson Daniel and Maddy Coulson. Photo / Hope Patterson Sophie Kember and Kate Lines. 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