There have been heavy snowfalls over the weekend in New Zealand with up to 50cm of snow reported and drifts up to a metre deep.
It's about six weeks until the first ski areas are due to open in the country for the 2018 ski season in the southern hemisphere, so the snow is too early for skiing, but is being taken as a good sign by ski areas in the country.
Cardrona Alpine Resort (pictured above yesterday) reported the biggest snowfalls with Coronet Peak saying they've had 40cm since Friday. The Remarkables reported up to 30cm (a foot) of fresh snow and Treble Cone the same.
The snowfall, which was largely confined to areas above 700m above sea level, was down to a slow-moving southeasterly however temperatures are now expected to rise over the week ahead so it's not yet clear how much will survive to start building basses for the season.
Cardrona, The Remarkables and Whakapapa (Mt Ruapehu), are scheduled to open for their 2018 seasons on June 9th with Coronet Peak and Turoa (Mt Ruapehu) due to follow seven days later.