Visitors and locals in Queenstown were delighted to wake up to the resort blanketed in a fresh layer of snow this morning - the result of a Southerly blast whipping its way up the South Island.
Hardy skiers and snowboarders were quickly fitting chains to get to the slopes as the weather cleared and sun peeked through revealing 15 centimetres of fresh powder at each Coronet Peak and The Remarkables.
Destination Queenstown CEO Tony Everitt said the snow will be appreciated by many around town.
“The timing of the snowfall couldn’t be better with winter celebrations set to kick off this weekend. This arrival of snow has set up the ski areas for the coming school holidays with Coronet Peak and The Remarkables already open for business and Cardona Alpine Resort, Treble Cone and Snow Park scheduled to open within the coming week."
Mr Everitt said it was a great time to visit the region.
“The beauty of Queenstown is that you don’t have to be a snow sports fanatic to enjoy the winter season, there’s a huge range of activities on offer on and off the mountain.
“And of course our annual celebration of winter, the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival, opens this Friday 25 June and runs through to Sunday July 4, with a jam-packed programme of events.”
Queenstown Snow Photos
Check out these photos that Experience Queenstown editor, Mat Weir, took earlier today:
