A recent dusting of snow on Mt Ruapehu has signalled winter is on its way, and 2017 is set to be a bumper ski season with new snowmakers opening the ski fields a month earlier than usual.
This season there will be double the snowmaking on Whakapapa lower mountain, all weather snowmaking technology on Happy Valley and more snowmaking at Turoa.
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) which operates the skifields said this was thanks to a $4 million investment in new snow making technology, and would see the ski season open earlier than ever before at Happy Valley on June 3, Queen's Birthday long weekend.
RAL said another big 2017 season highlight was the re-launch of night skiing on Happy Valley and Whakapapa lower mountain until 9pm on Friday and Saturday nights.
Workers were also transforming the iconic Happy Valley ski area into a new "snow park" concept complete with carpet style surface lifts, new access elevators and a dedicated snow play area for non-skiers.