Thanks to the cold snap that has swept New Zealand, conditions were described as “simply epic” as around 1500 skiers and boarders hit the snow from 9am this morning.

Snow was lightly falling throughout the morning to add to an upper base of 110cm and 75cm at the base building.

Children from Remarkables Primary School were among the first on the Alta lift and in line to received highly-coveted ‘First On The Lift’ T-shirts, where skiers and boarders were welcomed by ski field staff and celebrated with a glass of Amisfield Winery bubbles.

However just as many locals and ‘those in the know’ were queueing at the Shadow Basin chairlift to access chutes, steeps and the legendary Homeward run.

The Remarkables Ski Area Manager Ross Lawrence said local snow lovers and visitors in town for the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival had been “champing at the bit” to get up to the slopes as the buzz grew about conditions.

“To be frank it’s not often that we have such amazing snow and the coverage we’ve got from Day One. I’m hearing lots of ‘yahoos’ as people get their first runs in and there’s plenty of smiles, plenty of good times,” he said.

“The timing couldn’t have been better and even though it’s pretty cold up here people have dressed for the conditions. It’s snowing which is what winter is all about!

“For the first time in a few years, we’ve got Homeward Run, the terrain park and TRIC big park features open and operating all from Day One, so no surprise then that we’ve got lots of happy people up here.

“The season’s shaping up to be awesome. Bring it on.”

Remarkables Primary School students Holly McRae (Year 3), Alicia Webster (Year 4) and Reuben Thompson (Year 8) were on hand with mascots Spike and Shred to greet visitors throughout the morning.

All services at The Remarkables were up and running from this morning including the Snow Shop, guest services, rental, crèche, Snowsports School and the Remarkables Café. Right alongside the learners the Tube Park was also operating in its new location.

For more information and a full snow report head to www.theremarkables.co.nz