It is as it has always been for this time of year but for Queenstown and Wanaka, so much of this ski season will be uncomfortably different. Previously, winter weather forecasts, predicted snow levels and the ever-improving depth of the skifields’ snow base suggested how busy the Lakes District might get. Every year, it seemed the increasingly-popular skifields set new records; the volume, variety and spending of the visitors they brought into the region almost always established new benchmarks for the following years. It was heartening to learn the likes of Cardrona Snow Farm on Saturday enjoyed what might have been the biggest opening day in the cross-country skifield’s 31-year history. The need for leisure, adventure and time with family and friends is as it was before the pandemic.

Source: Otago Daily Times June 25, 2020 16:30 UTC