Whakapapa and Tūroa ski fields' snow forecast for this weekend is shaping up nicely.

Operators are buoyed by the early season snow base which is developing across both fields.

The forecast is looking promising with more snow anticipated over the weekend and into the second week of the New Zealand School Holidays.

Chair lifts and terrain are progressively opening on both sides of the maunga.

Favourable snowmaking temperatures are forecast, and the Mt Ruapehu team is confident that the Rangatira Chair and the Rockgarden Trail will be open this weekend on the Whakapapa side, while Alpine Meadow, Park Lane, and Movenpick lifts are expected to open on Tūroa.

Guests planning to visit Mt Ruapehu's ski fields this weekend and over the coming months are strongly encouraged to save time and purchase their passes online prior to arrival.

Alternatively, guests can drop into any of Torpedo 7's 11 retail locations throughout the North Island to collect their passes from the dedicated click and collect facilities.

After a quick launch to the season announced on the eve of the school holidays, the team at Mt Ruapehu's ski fields has been excited by the early snowfall and thousands of sledding and snow play visitors.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Chief Executive Officer, Jono Dean, says, 'After a fast and furious start to the winter ski season, we're really encouraged by the response and support we have received from early snow play visitors to the maunga, as well as thousands of season pass purchasers.”

'With a further 25-50cm of snowfall expected this weekend, our 300-plus staff will be on-ground pushing snow, grooming, patrolling and firing up the snowmakers while the snow-Gods deliver the goods.

'It's shaping up to be a long season with around 120 days of snow action on the cards. Our opening run up was short notice to get people onto the mountain for the July school holidays, but there's another chance for families in September with the holidays falling smack bang in our optimal spring skiing period. Typically, at this time of year the maunga enjoys a consistent snow quality, with Tūroa ski field boasting New Zealand's the best snow conditions during September.

'Given the terrain nuances across both sides of the maunga, its standard practice for us to be progressively opening lifts throughout July and into August as snow conditions and weather allows, with guest safety paramount to this.”