After delayed openings and unseasonably warm temperatures, the “Down Under” season has finally started to gain strength. Recent storms have allowed for enhanced snowmaking and with Mother Nature cooperating, the power skiing up high hasn’t been bad either. Snow Park, which delayed its opening is slated to fire up the lifts on Saturday, 28 June for the 2008

All areas of the park and many features, rails and jumps are expected to be available, and the terrain park only ski area will also light up the night, starting on July 1, with night skiing, which is new for the area. The area also will be offering accommodation specials during the school holidays, a 15% price reduction on luxury apartment or ensuite room bookings. Conditions apply, but it’s a chance to save some coin if you are heading down there. See www.snowparknz.com for full details.

Other resorts are also benefiting from the onset of winter. Mt. Hutt received 25 cm of new snow, allowing the resort to open The Towers sector of the resort. The resort currently has a base of 50cm. And fifteen centimeters also fell at Coronet Peak.