Mt Hutt ski field is gearing up for another epic season after a busy summer of planning and preparation.

The chair lifts are set to roll from 9am on June 14 for the start of the popular ski mecca's 51st season.

Ski area manager James McKenzie they had a small amount of snow at the start of the week but it was still too warm to "push the button" on the snow-making machines.

The snow-making team was already on the mountain undergoing training.

McKenzie said they needed a good three or four days of cold weather to make enough snow before opening day.

There's a new advanced trail for the experienced powderhounds heading down off Virgin Mile, while novice punters will have extra terrain to practice on with the extension of the beginners' slope.

McKenzie said new kiosks had been installed to print tickets for online sales to reduce the time skiers spent in queues.

Streamlined upgrades also extend to the cafes with a new QR scan order service that would allow people to order their food and drinks from their tables.

Other improvements for the 2024 season include an upgraded generator with an automatic switch-on in the event of a power failure and a new high-tech snow grooming machine that reads the snow depth.

McKenzie said this would help the snow groomers shift snow to areas where it wasmore useful and would provide a more consistent quality ski experience.

Parking and access are also being streamlined this year.

McKenzie said hardcore skiers had been getting up and ridiculous hours to get to Mt Hutt early to get a good parking spot or a prime spot in the chair lift queues - and there were a few initiatives to reduce the need to do that and the carbon footprint.

A new carpool system will run on days the ski field expects to be exceptionally busy - think bluebird days after a snow dump. On those days priority will be given to full vehicles - two people for a two-door car and four people for a four-door vehicle.

Notice of Car Pool Priority Days would be posted on Mt Hutt's website at least 48 hours in advance, McKenzie said.

The access road would open at 6.30amandfull vehicles will be given a priority sticker at the information booth which will allow them to park at the base parking.

Cars without a priority sticker could drive up to the drop-off zone at the top car park to drop off passengers but the driver would need to park at the Rakaia Saddle or Zed Creek parks and catch a free shuttle up to Mt Hutt.

McKenzie said the carpool system would funnel full cars to the upper car park and reduce the number of people needing a shuttle from the lower car parks. The savings from this had been put towards a 50% subsidy for the shuttle services.

One bookable shuttle will leave Christchurch at 7am and Rolleston at 7.30amand costs only $30 for a return trip.

A second bookable shuttle will run from the bottom car park. McKenzie said the costs for that were still being finalised but he expected it to cost around $10.

What's on at Mt Hutt in June

Friday, June 14: Opening Day with a first-on-chair celebration

Friday, June 21: Locals Day. People who live in the Ashburton District will be able to enjoy a chance on the slopes for only $50 including gear hire. All the income from the local tickets will go toward upgrades for Mount Hutt College's climbing wall.

Friday, June 28: Matariki Celebration with an early morning soak in the Ōpuke Pools followed by a dawn karakia on the mountain and a few ski laps as the sun comes up

• Sharon Davis