New Zealand’s Mount Cheeseman Calls Time on 2026 Season After Rain Destroys Lower-Mountain Snow

Mount Cheeseman, New Zealand, has called an end to its 2026 ski season after persistent mild northwest weather and rain stripped the lower mountain of the snow needed to operate. The Canterbury club ski hill announced the decision today, saying the latest rainfall had depleted the lower mountain to the point where there is no longer enough snow for a learners’ area, lift-loading area, or the lower T-bar line. With no snow available on the mountain to rebuild those areas, Cheeseman said it would now require a substantial snowfall to return to operation.

• Related: Mount Cheeseman, New Zealand, Set to Open Thursday, but Incoming Storm Could Disrupt Opening Weekend

Although some snow is forecast for later this weekend and early next week, the club said uncertainty around the forecast, combined with the financial risks of continuing to operate, led it to close for the season. “We realistically now need a substantial snowfall to bring things back to life,” the Cheeseman Crew said in its announcement. “Whilst there is some potential snow forecast perhaps later in the weekend / early next week there is too much uncertainty moving forward for both the Club & the staff team and we need to secure the wins we’ve had over the past few weeks and not erode finances.”

The decision marks the end of the 2026 season for the first New Zealand ski area.

While Cheeseman described 2026 as “another short one,” the club ski field emphasized that the season was considerably more positive than 2025. The club went on to thank the skiers and snowboarders who visited during the recent operating period, along with the small staff crew, contractors, club members and volunteers who helped keep the mountain running. “A massive thanks to everyone that visited and supported Cheeseman throughout the past few weeks, we really appreciate it,” the club said. It also praised its staff and volunteers for putting their “heart & soul” into delivering a safe and enjoyable operation despite the challenging conditions.

Unlike larger commercial resorts, club fields such as Cheeseman operate with relatively small teams and limited resources, making extended periods of marginal snow particularly difficult to absorb financially. In Cheeseman’s case, reopening after the latest weather would require enough snow not merely to improve skiing conditions but to rebuild the infrastructure needed to safely operate the lower mountain. Cardrona, meanwhile, announced that it had extended its season to October 18, however, it is important to note that Cardrona is located in Otago, not Canterbury, and experienced different weather patterns. While persistent northwest rain stripped Cheeseman’s lower mountain of snow, Cardrona benefited from a strong run of late-season snowfall in its own region.