MT RUAPEHU, 1 JUNE 2018: Crowds of snow lovers headed up Mt Ruapehu today in perfect conditions for some free skiing and snowboarding.

Mt Ruapehu decided to welcome winter early, opening Happy Valley for free skiing today from 11am - 2 pm and skiiers and snowboarders filled the slopes.

Mt Ruapehu Marketing Manager Matt McIvor says that while lots of locals headed up the mountain to ski and snowboard, quite a few out of towners have taken an early long weekend to ski both today and opening day tomorrow.

"The feedback has been awesome. We’re absolutely stoked to see so many people loving their first taste of the early snow this season. There was around 500 people up here before 1pm, and the numbers just kept on increasing into the afternoon," Matt says.

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