Natural snowfalls throughout May and June have dropped a 60cm base on the lower mountain with 90cm at the top, a great result according to The Remarkables Ski Area Manager Ross Lawrence.

“We’re very, very happy with the snow coverage we have here and we can’t wait to share this with our guests on Saturday,” he said.

“We haven’t seen opening conditions like this since 2010, and that turned out to be an amazing season. In fact I would go as far as saying this is going to be an epic start and season here at The Remarkables.

“It will be fantastic to get everything up and running -- as well as Alta and Sugar Bowl access we’re stoked to tell everyone that Shadow Basin chairlift will also be firing on opening day, not only accessing runs in that basin but enabling the keenest skiers and boarders to head on over to Homeward Run with a shuttle service back to the base area.”

Consistent snowfalls have enabled staff to work on five features for the beginner’s terrain park on Castaway trail in Sugar Bowl, while in the TRIC Big Park the intermediate line will boast eight to ten features.

“With the snow we’ve had already and up to half a metre more snow in the immediate forecast, I am confident that it’s going to be as good off-piste as it is on-piste,” said Mr Lawrence.

“People are just going to be yahooing all over the mountain.”

It will be all systems go at the base building with everything open from the Snow shop to guest services, rental, the crèche, Snowsports School and the Remarkables Café. Right alongside the learners area, the Tube Park will be up and running too in its new location.

The enticing smell of bacon butties will waft from the Ice Bar at the top of Alta lift which will also be operating from day one.

Queenstown’s award-winning Amisfield Winery will greet the earliest risers with obligatory celebratory bubbles as they head onto the slopes.

For the second year running, four youngsters from nearby Remarkables Primary School will be helping out those who are up the mountain for first tracks – from Year 2 student Holly McRae to Tama Dix (Year 3), Alicia Webster (Year 4) and Reuben Thompson (Year 8).

They’ll be on hand to greet those queuing, ride with Spike and Shred on the ‘First Chair’, work with guest services and lifties and ‘assist’ mascots Spike and Shred around the base facilities.

The students won an RPS competition to help out on the day.

“We have a great relationship with Remarkables Primary School and really enjoy having their students up here, from the five-year-olds to the older ones who are fast becoming stalwarts of the mountain,” said Mr Lawrence.

Kids 10 and under receive a free day pass at The Remarkables any day of the season. For more information go to www.nzski.com