New Zealand Ski Season Wrap 2026: A Slow Start, Stronger Finish
Southern Lakes video wrap above shot and edited by Fergus Duncan (@theoddkiwi)
Mountainwatch | Reggae Elliss
It was a season that tested the patience of local skiers and snowboarders, but after a very slow start New Zealand’s 2026 winter eventually got going although it was one that had its up ands downs. Across both the North and South Islands, the season brought a frustrating start, periods of improved snow coverage, some fun powder days and a late-season finish that helped make up for the early struggles.
On the South Island, Cardrona was the last resort standing, finally closing its lifts on October 18th after a late dump of fresh snow provided a fitting finale. Tūroa is still open on the North Island, set to close this Sunday, October 25th.
Prior to the season climate drivers were pointing to a developing El Niño that was expected to strengthen as the season progressed. An El Nino is a bit of a mixed bag for New Zealand, the Grasshopper surmising in his initial NZ season outlook that it would have “a noticeable impact on the NZ snow season. Forecasts are not favouring the North Island with the promotion of a south-westerly airflow mainly helping areas of the South Island, particularly the southwest, with above average precipitation.”
The chances of the snow bearing south-westerly airflow would become more likely as the season progressed, the back half of this winter was testament to this.
The season got off to a sluggish start, with a lack of storms and unseasonably warm conditions forcing resorts to rely on snowmaking in marginal temperatures. Several major ski areas pushed back their opening plans, while those that managed to open were initially limited to a small amount of terrain. The North Island’s Whakapapa and Tūroa also faced the challenge of securing sufficient early-season snow, with conditions across the country highlighting just how difficult a warm start can be.
July brought some welcome relief, with a significant early-month storm delivering fresh snow across parts of the South Island. Canterbury benefited from substantial falls, while the Queenstown and Wānaka ski areas also received useful top-ups. The North Island’s ski fields experienced their own mix of winter weather, but milder temps and conditions remained variable across the country. Above average temperatures led to fluctuating snow levels at times and rain affected some areas, adding to the challenges of what proving to be an inconsistent winter.
As the season progressed, improved snow coverage allowed South Island resorts to open more terrain and both Southern Lakes and Canterbury both enjoyed periods of good conditions. As for fresh snow, it was matter of patience and, but there were a few standout powder days. There were plenty of opportunities for those who like ripping turns on the groomers while terrain parks were up and running at several resorts by late July.
On the North Island, Whakapapa and Tūroa experienced the ups and downs of a season in which consistent winter conditions were often hard to come by.
Spring brought further snowfall, with several storms helping maintain coverage across the South Island through September and into October. However, strong winds occasionally disrupted lift operations and scheduled openings. Some resorts wrapped up in late September or early October, while others continued operating into the school holidays.
Cardrona ultimately extended its season to October 18, with fresh snow last week setting up a good closing weekend. Tūroa has put in a big effort to keep lifts spinning, a storm last Friday providing a good top up going into the final week of the season.
Overall, New Zealand’s 2026 ski season had a bit of everything – a slow start, a gradual improvement through winter and a late-season boost that maintained the cover until the end. Neither island enjoyed an entirely smooth ride, but as with every season there were windows of good conditions and some memorable days along the way.
