Mt Hutt’s ski season opened on Saturday with a chilled out atmosphere following good snowmaking conditions, assistant ski area manager James Urquhart says.
The skifield was now gearing up for the school holiday period which starts this weekend.
The weather forecast looked like “a bit of a southerly flick” coming through on Monday or Tuesday next week and, if conditions allowed, the skifield would be making snow as often as they could, Urquhart said.
It would “line us up nicely for the school holidays”, he said.
He said opening day was “nice and mellow”, and a good start for staff keen to get to work on the mountain.
“The weekend was really nice and relaxed. People just cruised out and put their skis at the start of the line.
“I am hoping this is what things will be like for the season.”
Even with limited lifts on offer; the Nor’west Express, the Sunkid Conveyor and the magic carpet, Urquhart said “with all things considered it was actually pretty good skiing.
“I think everyone thought it was probably going to be quite firm and not that great, but we have had some good snowmaking conditions and that is what everybody was skiing on, which surprised and delighted everyone,” he said.
Urquhart said having Nor’west Express lift operating was a bonus as having a big lift going meant people could ski Highway 72 and Broadway trails.
Urquhart said opening weekend numbers were good, and the winter vibe carried on off the mountain.
“It was a nice feeling to see everyone walking around town in their ski pants again.
‘‘The last few weeks have been pretty warm.”
