south island

Snow Falls in the Capitol of New Zealand for the First Time in Well Over a Decade

On Tuesday, August 4, snow fell in New Zealand’s capital city of Wellington for the first time since 2011. A huge mass of cold air, brought directly from the ice sheets of Antarctica, caused temperatures to plummet around the country, with readings on the South Island as low as -9°C(16°F). The “polar blast” event perfectly coincided with a well-timed shower […]
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Kien Warren |
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What are New Zealand’s Club Ski Fields?

temple basin

In the heart of the Southern Alps, New Zealand’s “club fields” stand apart from the high-profile ski resorts that dominate international tourism. Operated by local ski clubs rather than corporations, these small, community-run areas offer a stripped-down, cooperative approach to skiing that has earned them a cult following among skiers and snowboarders. Unlike commercial resorts such as Coronet Peak or […]
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Martin Kuprianowicz |
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South Island, New Zealand; All Play And No Work

Report from 12 July, 2026 Snow dancing has delivered much needed results to high alpine zones of New Zealand’s b.e.a.utiful Southern Alps. While ski areas throughout the central southern range received heavyset powder snow ranging 1-2 feet, upper neve zones benefitted by double that accumulation. The long-awaited top up has laid the proverbial white carpet for iconic glacier skiing within […]
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Paulie |
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Southern Alps, South Island, New Zealand; Caving-In To Night

By: P.M. ‘Paulie’ Fadden, February 2026 Nothing’s ever happening until everything’s happening at once.  Life is like that, missions too. And this one is no exception. Idle pieces of a vague puzzle had been on the drawing board for awhile; a glacier, highly skilled humans (not me) and an enticing overnight among New Zealand’s brooding Southern Alps. Some assembly required. […]
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Paulie |
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Ohau Snowfields, New Zealand Report: Fresh Foot Fiesta At Closing

Report from 26-27 September, 2025 Sing it to the rafters, never count New Zealand out. Ohau Snowfields and Mackenzie Southern Alps, generally, rollicked amongst more than a foot of fresh powder snow—to conclude their commercial operations for the season. The extended forecast had painted the picture. Mother Nature delivered. Locals rocked up in giddy droves to ride the proverbial wave. […]
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Paulie |
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Ohau Snowfields, New Zealand, Report: Wild, Wet & Wonderful

Report from 11 & 12 July 2025 A full spectrum of precipitation is sweeping across Ohau Snowfields and the Southern Alps of New Zealand. It’s been ski days ranging from freshies to slushies with full-blown tempest in-between. And Ohau’s slopes—and this rugged stretch of the Southern Alps—are reveling in every slashing, wind-whipped moment. The communal opinion shared by Ohau rippers is […]
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Paulie |
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South Island, New Zealand, Report: Ohau Season Opener Oh-So-Good

Report from 21-22 June, 2025 The ‘hoots’ and ‘hollers’ you’ve been hearing on the breeze are because Ohau Snowfields, New Zealand, is open for skiing and snowboarding. The weekend just past offered up all that is classic and good about shredding the Southern Alps of New Zealand, and Ohau especially. Saturday was picture-perfect under full sun, with little to no wind, and […]
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Paulie |
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Mt. Hutt, New Zealand, Announces Early Season Start After Rare May Snowfall, Marking First May Opening in 16 Years

Mt. Hutt, one of New Zealand’s premier ski destinations, is set to open early for the 2025 season following an extraordinary 1.2-meter (4-foot) snowfall during the first week of May. This marks the resort’s earliest opening in 16 years, with weekend operations commencing on May 31, including the King’s Birthday public holiday on June 2. Full seven-day operations will begin […]
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Kiwi Brains |
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South Island, New Zealand – A Compass, A Track, And A Puzzle Named ‘TWALK’

April, 2025 Soon, on an autumn date in late April when pre-dawn cold is really flexing its devilish charm, a rogue throng will be massing in an otherwise empty carpark. Comprising students to retirees to ultra-running human cannonballs, the mass will form ranks as a free brigade of outdoor frolickers–or terminal optimists–convened at the University of Canterbury to undertake one […]
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Paulie |
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Cardrona Alpine Resort, New Zealand, Report: Hits, Hijinks, and All Ages Fun Rolled Into One

Report from August 23, 2023 A mainstay of New Zealand mountain culture, Cardrona Alpine Resort, outside sun-kissed Wanaka blends seamlessly the full spectrum of an experience on snow. From beginner lessons to family picnics, hiking lines, or hot laps before work, Cardrona (Cardy’s to its friends) offers razzle-dazzle to suit any interest. From its starburst start in 1980, the dynamic […]
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Paulie |
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