The Remarkables ski area in Queenstown opened this weekend to a welcome fall of 15-20cm fresh snow and around 1200 guests.

With snowmaking continued building up a good base on key trails, 'it just couldn't have been better," according to area manager Hamish McCrostie.

The new 90m 'Magic Carpet' in the beginners area, which also doubles as a conveyor belt for people to access the base lodge building from the car park, was also a huge hit.

The Remarkables now has an average snow base of 60cm and trails open from this weekend included the beginner areas, Magic Carpet lift and handle tow, the Alta Double Chair accessing the Alta Green novice trail, and Sugar Bowl Quad chair leading to the Casterway, TNT, and Water Race trails.

On Saturday night Coronet Peak ski area received 10 to 15cm of new snow on the upper part of the mountain and three to five cm at the base, giving it an average 30-50cm base. Canterbury's Mt Hutt has also received 20cm of new snow in the past 24 hours and now has an average 50cm base on trail.

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