New Zealand’s Prime Minister Helen Clark inaugurated the biggest ski lift in Australasia today.

She opened the six-seater High Noon Express at Turoa. However she wasn’t able to ride it because its cable had jumped off its framework last week under a massive build-up of ice.

Maintenance workers were not able to get the $13 million lift up and running in time for the opening ceremony but it is expected to open to the public this weekend.

The Prime Minister declared the new lift "super-dupa", and said: "It will bring a lot of smiles to skiers' faces."

Another 20cm of snow is expected to fall in the area this weekend.