Ski fields around New Zealand can now say with certainty they will open this winter season. 

Industry executives have been working with the government in recent weeks to try to find a way to operate under alert level two requirements.

Negotiations have proved successful - ski fields have been granted an exemption to the alert level two 100-person limit.

Cardrona Alpine Resorts general manager Bridget Legnavsky has been at the negotiating table. 

“It’s been challenging to navigate a new environment, but we all have one goal this year and that’s to open safely for our guests,” Bridget said. 

“We have been working hard to demonstrate to the government that we can implement safe procedures across our ski areas at alert level two.”

Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone general manager Bridget Legnavsky.

Bridget said the company had kept hold of all of its permanent staff across Cardrona and Treble Cone, either through the wage subsidy or continuing working, and they started prepping the mountain for the season earlier this month despite then having no assurances opening would be allowed.

Under the new exemption, skifields will have no specific limit on the number of people on the slopes at any given time - but there are still a series of guidelines which must be met.

The guidelines require skifields to manage physical distancing, ensure contact tracing is in place and to increase cleaning and sanitation requirements.  

Skifield restaurants and hospitality facilities will be subject to hospitality requirements.

Fifty to sixty per cent of Cardrona Alpine Resorts’ business is domestic, and 25 per cent is local, Bridget said. 

Bridget, alongside NZSki CEO Paul Anderson and Ruapehu Alpine Lifts CEO Jono Dean, are celebrating the win, and looking forward to the season. 

PHOTOS: Supplied