Lake Wanaka, New Zealand – New Zealand’s ski resort operators can’t seem to catch a break in the weather as unseasonably warm air and a lack of natural snowfall continues to place the country’s 2011 ski and snowboard season on hold.

There is still no lift-served skiing available this season in New Zealand. Treble Cone ski resort near Lake Wanaka is the latest to postpone its opening, originally scheduled for this Wednesday and now delayed indefinitely until snowfall or snowmaking temperatures arrive.

“Despite the lack of snow, over 170 staff underwent a full season training program last week and with all mountain and snowmaking staff on standby,” ski area officials said Tuesday in a prepared statement. “Treble Cone is ready to open at the earliest opportunity.”

Over the weekend, Mt. Ruapehu Alpine Lifts spokesperson Catherine Slogrove announced that the North Island’s Turoa Ski Area would not open this Saturday, June 25th as had been originally planned.

“Mild temperatures in May and early June have prompted Mt. Ruapehu to delay the opening of Turoa Ski Area by a week to July 2, 2011,” Slogrove said. “Mt. Ruapehu staff will now assess the snowfall towards the end of the month and confirm the opening date based on the conditions.”

While there is snow cover on the upper slopes of Turoa and Whakapapa, it is insufficient to open facilities and snow making opportunities have been restricted by the warm weather.

Slogrove added, “However, the weather is expected to turn in the next few days. General Manager of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, Dave Mazey, anticipates that the cold front due later this will week will bring snow and colder temperatures which will allow snowmaking to begin. We expect the cold system forecast for this week will mean the end of this mild spell of weather and a return to normal winter patterns.”

Elsewhere on New Zealand’s South Island, Ohau has delayed its opening day from June 25 to July 1. Coronet Peak and Snow Park NZ both remain on hold.

The lack of snow in New Zealand may prompt some Australians to stay at home to ski this winter, especially with a decent start to the Australian ski season this year.  Over the past 24 hours Perisher has received a half meter of new snow and it’s still coming down at press time. The resort’s snowmaking team has been hard at work with 167 snow guns running to take advantage of the cold air and is adding its Happy Valley terrain to the open list today, with more areas of the resort expected to come on line shortly.