Heavy snowfalls in the central North Island last week disrupted the travel plans of hundreds of people, but has left at least one man smiling.
Mount Ruapehu marketing manager Mike Smith has announced the ski season on one of the mountain's skifields would be extended until November 8.
Whakapapa wouldclose as scheduled on October 26, but Turoa will remain open and season passes remain valid, Mr Smith said.
More snow started falling on the mountain on Friday morning and kept falling during the following 24 hours, leaving behind perfect conditions, he said.
"This is going to be one of the best Octobers we've ever had at Mt Ruapehu after an unseasonably warm August and September - it's honestly like winter all over again."
He said on Friday Turoa had a snow base of 260cm and Whakapapa 160cm, which would "only get better".
"I think it's a bit of an anomaly, but its given us a top-up right down to the base area, so it means we wont be struggling to hold on to beginners areas and top to bottom skiing."
Mr Smith said the extended opening, combined with it's earlier than usual start, brought the season to a full five-month's and one day.
"I was up there yesterday, and conditions were great. It's almost back to winter again."
The season was extended into November last year, but this year would beat that record by a day, he said.
"It was a big dump of snow, and down low. I was driving up the mountain road yesterday and there are still a lot of broken branches from the weight of the snow last weekend, it was a big fall. I can't recall seeing that much snow, and that heavy."
Mr Smith said it had been a good season, and their early start had caught overseas tourists coming over at the tail end of summer never imagining they would be skiing, meaning they had to stock up on ski clothing and gear.
Ski passes will be reduced in price from today, and will be reduced further from Labour Weekend to under $50 for an adult day pass.
