Mt. Ruapehu, New Zealand - Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL), operator of the two ski areas on New Zealand's Mt. Ruapehu, is celebrating a major milestone today with Turoa experiencing the deepest snow base ever recorded in New Zealand skiing history.

Turoa ski patrollers had an extra challenge measuring base depths on Tuesday. (photo: RAL)

The snow measuring stake at Turoa previously only stood at 380cm (150 inches) tall and therefore had to be extended to measure today’s record-setting 455cm (179-inch) snow base.

The Whakapapa side of the Mountain also has a fantastic base, with 350cm (138 inches) of snow, the deepest since 1995.

Mt. Ruapehu marketing manager, Mike Smith, says the fresh snow will provide fantastic skiing and snowboarding opportunities.

"The record-breaking snow base at Turoa and the great levels at Whakapapa will be paradise for skiers and boarders, and the good news is that with such large bases we expect to be able to extend the season and potentially keep going into November.”