New Zealand skifields have had their best season ever, with a record 1.5 million visits to the slopes around the country.
A combination of good conditions and more Australians -- reportedly here spending their $1100 tax payout meant to help stimulate their own economy -- saw last year's record of 1.4m visits easily topped.
Australians made up 32 percent of skifield visits, up from 30 percent last year.
Increased government spending on tourism promotion in Australia helped draw them across, Ski Areas Association of New Zealand executive director Miles Davidson told NZPA.
The country's 15 commercial and 11 club fields were delighted the 1.5m mark had been broken, he said.
"They haven't just scraped through, they have smashed it."
The season wasn't any longer than normal, but it got off to a good start with cold weather early, all ski areas open and all terrain and all lifts open, Mr Davidson said.
The industry needed cold weather early, which got people thinking about snow sports and the domestic season kick-started.
Colder temperatures meant more snow and it also made snow making easier.
"The industry has invested a lot of money in snow making since 1990 and that investment is gearing the industry to deliver," he said.
