Six weeks after the season’s first snow dusted slopes in New Zealand, followed by a dump on May 1, Mother Nature has delivered again, allowing some resorts to begin snowmaking. Opening days are just a couple of weeks away, with Mt. Hutt planning to open on May 31, its earliest opening in 16 years.
Õhau Snow Fields received four inches of snow (10 centimeters) yesterday and has begun snowmaking ahead of its scheduled opening day on June 21.
Coronet Peak didn’t receive any fresh snow but has fired up its snow guns and confirmed a June 14 opening date.
Cardrona and The Remarkables aim to have lifts spinning on June 14, while Treble Cone is scheduled to open on June 27.
New Zealand’s ski season typically runs from mid-June to early October. The snowfall comes as New Zealand transitions into late autumn, with average daytime temperatures around 14°C in May. These early snowfalls are not unusual for the region but often serve as a barometer for the upcoming season’s potential. Last year, similar patterns led to strong early-season conditions, though meteorologists caution that variable weather remains the norm in the Southern Alps.
Elsewhere in the Southern Hemisphere, ski areas in Chile, Argentina, and Australia have all received their first snow and are preparing for their impending opening days.
