Ohau Snowfields, New Zealand, Report: Chalk Slash and Sun Tan

Report from 21 thru 24 July

Ohau Snowfields, within the majesty of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, is basking under a blissful week of positively brilliant conditions.

Full sun, sporadic cloud, and a mere whisper of wind have been making for memorable skiing and snowboarding.

Brisk day temperatures—and nights colder still—keep the consistency of the Ohau snowpack in reasonably good nick. And it helps that visiting crowds have vanished with the clouds since the beginning of the new school term.

As ever at Ohau, the ‘goods’ get better the higher the altitude. The ski area’s notorious ‘Ridge’ is still firing—even after shedding serious weight recently. The power play here is to scope a ripe line, tough out the short climb, and immerse into what will likely be the carves-of-the-day.

And a signature treat to skiing, Ohau Snowfields has been on display all week, a sense of solitude.

A fantastic ski day at Ohau is made all the time, thanks simply to the ‘feel’ of privacy wrapped up in a day of shredding. 

Naturally, there is a flip side to all this sunshine. Feather-light clouds mean zero snow for the last while. And the snow sports populace is hanging out for a top-up.

That said, the current fine spell at Ohau Snowfields indeed continues to be enjoyed to the fullest.