The school holidays are off to a busy start, at tourism hotspots around the country

Tens of thousands of holidaymakers are descending on popular winter destinations.

They're expected to make up for the loss of Australian tourists, caused by the pause in quarantine-free travel from New South Wales and Queensland.

NZ Ski chief executive Paul Anderson says Mt Hutt, the Remarkables and Coronet skifields have all seen a rush over the weekend.

He says it's been great to see a buzzing vibe in Queenstown and Methven.