Slow Start to The New Zealand Winter

Cardrona June 19. Credit: Cardrona Alpine Resort

Over the last seven days, various ski fields have opened around New Zealand. As it is early season, limited terrain is open with currently still minimal snow coverage. There was a large gap in cold weather systems bringing snow to New Zealand’s resorts between May and June which has caused a slower start. As the season moves forward from here, temperatures in the mountains will become consistently cold and with more frequent snowfall.

The three resorts currently open in the Otago Region are Coronet Peak, Remarkables, and Cardrona. Mount Hutt, based in the Canterbury Region, is the only other New Zealand resort open and has the highest range of snow with a base of 45 cm (17 inches). Cardrona’s base is 40 cm (15 in), while Coronet and Remarkables both sit at 30 cm (11 in).

Remarkables in high spirits for the start of winter. Credit: Remarkables Ski Area

For the next three days, Snow Forecast has predicted cold weather and snow to hit New Zealand’s ski resorts. The Otago region will be getting a total of 10 cm (3 in) snowfall. The Canterbury Region looks at 14 cm (5 in), while further North, the Nelson Lakes Area and Tongariro National Park are estimated to get 3 cm each ( 1 in).

Due to the lack of snow the NZ Avalanche Advisory has not begun forecasting alert levels for each region (aside from Mount Cook which is all year round). If going into the backcountry it is recommended to still check for any information, public observations, and take the regular precautions.

The next resort set to open will be Treble Cone (Otago Region) on June 29. Following Treble Cone, the rest of the New Zealand ski fields have opening dates scattered across July (weather permitting). Below are the scheduled opening dates.