Marlborough's skifields should be open in time for the school holidays thanks to the wintry blast that has frozen a lot of the South Island.

Mt Lyford skifield owner Doug Simpson said today that snow conditions were good, and it looked as if the season would shape up well.

There was plenty of snow with between 20 and 30cm between the village and rope tow. Field management had decided against opening this weekend as a strong southwest wind had stripped a lot of the upper slopes, he said.

But Mt Lyford would probably open on June 24, which was the originally planned date, Mr Simpson said. The field's new half pipe, for snowboarders and trick skiers would be ready for the season opening.

Martin Hay, the chairman of Beyond Rainbow Mountain Sports, the not-for-profit society that runs the Rainbow ski area near St Arnaud, said bad weather at the beginning of this week brought 10cm of snow, and more was expected this week.

A large generator would arrive at the field this week, and with a snow maker working, the field hoped to be open for July 1, the first day of the school holidays, he said.

There were a few personnel changes at Rainbow this year, with the departure of manager Simon Clark, who has gone farming near Timaru.

This season the new area manager will be St Arnaud resident Pat Gelling, who has worked at Mt Hutt and promoted snow groomers in New Zealand. Karl Taylor will be operations manager and Michaela Johansson will be administration supervisor.

The Rainbow field will have a new electric platter lift this season. Grooming has doubled the size of the intermediate skiing and snowboarding area. The terrain park has a number of new rails and equipment for snowboarders.

Also new at Rainbow this year is a 4WD Toyota Hilux, donated for the season by Nelson's Bowater Toyota.

Mr Hay said the vehicle was exactly what was needed for a public alpine road.

"It will enable us to properly manage traffic and help vehicles in difficulty on the road, even in the toughest conditions," he said.

Mr Hay said there were many generous donations from local businesses this year, which were essential to keep the ski area alive and well, as well as safe and professionally run.

Rainbow spokesman Hamish Neill said it was incredibly expensive running a skifield. Costs ranged between $100,000 and $300,000 depending on the season.

"The assumption is that to run a skifield you must be flush. Not at all; it's an incredibly expensive exercise to maintain the road. Our income stream is only 10 weeks of the year."

Mr Neill said there was no doubt the field would continue to operate, but it was only through the generosity and efforts of local businesses.


SOURCE: By DAVE WILLIAMS