The central plateau is shaping up to be a winter wonderland these school holidays

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, which runs both the Turoa and Whakapapa skifields, is urging people to book early, as spots fill up fast.

Chief Executive Jono Dean says the recent cold snap really got the ball rolling.

He says they experienced about 20 centimetres at each field and that's allowed the season to get going.