New Zealand's small Manganui Ski Area has opened the 2023 ski season early after heavy snowfall across the country's ski slopes.
The club operated ski field is believed to be the first in the southern hemisphere to open for the 2023 season, more than a month ahead of its expected opening date.
Up to 40cm, of snowfall was reported across New Zealand's ski slopes on Thursday, with Coronet Peak posting one of the biggest accumulations.
Manganui has four drag lifts serving a 420m vertical but no snowmaking and opens whenever the snow is good. Last winter it missed a lot of the season due to poor snow, but opened in November, a month aftermost southern hemisphere ski areas have ended their seasons, thanks to late spring snow.