SNOW & SNOWMAKING for NZ at Last

Mt. Ruapehu on Thursday Afternoon Image:: Mt. Ruapehu

New Zealand’s North Island snow resorts are experiencing their first big snowstorm of the winter and conditions at the South Island snowfields are finally allowing the resorts to make snow after a disappointing start to winter that has seen several resorts delay their opening day due to lack of snow.

Mt Ruapehu, the North Island’s major ski area, comprising Whakapapa and Turoa ski resorts received around 10cm of snow on Friday, with a little over 30cm expected on Saturday, which is great news for the two resorts, Turoa had been forced to delay the opening of the 2011 winter season, originally scheduled for 25 June, both resorts will now open 2 July. Turoa’s Movenpick chairlift will open for sightseeing and snowplay from Saturday 25 June.

Snow has yet to hit the South Island, but after a frustrating few weeks of warm weather the resorts are now able to fire up the snow guns. Snow Park NZ posted photos of their snowmaking guns sending out great sprays of snow early Friday morning. Treble Cone has been making snow solidly throughout Thursday night and into Friday and Mt Hutt is looking almost like a ski resort following a small natural snowfall and a large snowmaking effort.

No New Zealand snow resort is open as yet, with some, such as Snow Park and Coronet Peak, delayed since 13 June and despite the flurry of snowmaking in the past few days most resorts are a long way from having a decent snow cover. New Zealand’s snow season typically gains momentum at the end of June and early July, however this has been a very difficult start to the winter with far warmer than normal temperatures.

In the Snow Season Outlook – New Zealand, Mountainwatch’s meteorologist, The Grasshopper, suggested New Zealand may face a poor winter, due to a dying La Nina weather pattern.

“The National Institute of Water and the Atmosphere (NIWA) is predicting a triple threat for ski resorts,” He said.
• “More frequent northerly and north-westerly winds.
• Above average temperatures
• Below average rainfall for South Island resorts.”

On the positive side, he did suggest snow would arrive late June. Which won’t come soon enough for those waiting for the New Zealand season to begin!

For a list of the latest resort opening dates, and some tips on waiting out the dry spell, read Matt White’s NZ Weekly Weather Blog.

Snow Park early Friday morning pumping the guns Image:: Snow Park

Mt Hutt got a few cm of snow overnight Image:: Mt Hutt

Whakapapa Pinnacles Friday afternoon Image:: Whakapapa cam

Turoa Midfield Friday afternoon Image:: Turoa cam

Snow Park forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Turoa forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Whakapapa forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.