Lament the lack

The Press reports on the lack of snow

Canterbury ski fields are struggling with one of the worst starts to a ski season.

Staff are languishing and bookings have been cancelled due to the lack of snow.

Despite being two-thirds of the way through winter, none of the smaller Canterbury club fields are open and the two main commercial fields, Mount Hutt and Porters Ski Area, are getting by on artificial snow.

Compounding the problem, the three days of warm nor'west conditions at the end of last week "defrosted" what little base the Craigieburn range club fields had, and opening-day projections are being moved further into August.

The situation could change, however, if heavy rain forecast for today falls as snow in the ski areas.

Queenstown and North Island ski fields are reported to be having a reasonable season and Australia is having one of its best seasons.....

For the full report see http://www.stuff.co.nz/4146237a34.html