Blizzard conditions are forecast to deliver local ski resorts enough snow to finally open large swaths of terrain next week, but record ticket prices and an expected El Niño mean the outlook for the ski season is far from rosy.

After a disappointing start to the season, a storm last week has given resorts much-needed cover to open more runs this weekend, with the snow depth at Spencers Creek in Kosciuszko National Park measuring 58 centimetres.