South Island ski season kicks off with bang

An overnight snowfall, cold temperatures and blue skies made for a fantastic season opening at Queenstown’s Coronet Peak ski area on Saturday.
Around 200-odd hardy skiers and boarders lined up for the official start of the season at the ski area’s Coronet express quad, with the first having arrived at 4.30am in a snowstorm.
Meanwhile, Canterbury’s Mt Hutt ski area celebrated the launch of its 2012 season with smiles all round.
Skiers and snowboarders gave it 10 out of 10 for on-trail snow conditions.