Mt Hutt may open for one day in mid November after almost a metre of snow at the weekend.
The snow was part of a cold snap, which also saw heavy rain. The rain flooded the Ashburton River, washing out a colony of about 4000 tarāpuka/black billed gulls nesting near the State Highway 1 bridge.
Ski area manager James McKenzie said it was the biggest snowfall in at least about 20 years for October.
Now the ski area was considering opening for one day on a weekend, but this weekend or the following would not suit due to forecasts of wind. More snow was also forecast.
A decision would be made about November 11 on whether to open in mid November.
‘‘It’s not insurmountable, we are in the business of skiing and riding. If there’s opportunity to do it, we will do it,’’ McKenzie said.
Just one lift would operate, the Nor’west Express, and a nominal price would be charged, as the day would be a fundraiser.
Meanwhile, Forest & Bird Ashburton chair Edith Smith said it was disappointing to see only about 20 gulls at the SH1 river site this week.
About 4000, many on nests, had been there last week.
‘‘They may have found another site such as Rakitata (Rangitata) River mouth which happened after a similar flood a few years ago. The 3000 gulls renested there with a successful outcome,’’ Smith said.
