New Zealand ski area Hamner Springs has announced it plans to open tomorrow after a significant autumn snowfall. So far there are no details of the plans other than a social media post stating:
"Yes we are going to open tomorrow. More details to come later."
Ski areas across the country have reported several mid-autumn snowfalls in recent weeks, but the latest over the past few days have delivered heavier accumulations than usual for this early in the year to higher slopes, with drifts several metres deep.
Ski areas in Australia and The Andes have also reported their first falls of the year earlier this month.
The southern hemisphere's ski season really gets going in early June with most areas opening by early July. A growing number of resorts have all-weather snowmaking machines that enable them to open some limited terrain in June if they like. One of these, Australia's Corin Forest, has already created a snow play area, but is so far only offering sledging on it.
Hamner Springs is one of New Zealand's non-profit club fields and runs three surface lifts.