New Zealand Weekend Forecast, Friday June 26th – Saturday Gets the Green Light for Opening Day After Cold & Fresh Snow
Mountainwatch | The Grasshopper
Published early Friday, 26th June 2026
The Southern Lakes scored a tidy 10-15cm of fresh snow late Wednesday and early Thursday. The place is looking much whiter, and the ski fields have been making snow like mad Tahr billies in a rut.
Mt Hutt had received 5cm of snow from the initial round on Wednesday night, but it started snowing again around midday Thursday as the second, stronger, and colder southerly arrived. We’re expecting bigger totals in Friday morning’s report, so be sure to check that when it comes out. Mt Ruapehu will also have fresh snow to report.
With the improvement in conditions, The Remarkables, Cardrona and Mt Hutt have locked in this Saturday to open at last. The Southern Lakes will now have a run of fine weather and good snow-making conditions.
The tail end of the storm, with see northern Canterbury receiving another 5-15+cm today, Friday, and a little extra dusting for Mt Hutt and the Craigieburn ski fields. It’ll stay clagged in with cloud on Saturday, but it’ll be nice and fine from Sunday.
Friday 26th June
A nice, fine day for the Southern Lakes as a cold southeast breeze eases. Apart from a wee break in the afternoon, the snow guns will get a lot of work done.
In Canterbury, light snow showers and flurries will continue into the afternoon for Mt Hutt and Craigieburn Range ski fields, where it’ll be clagged in with cloud. Snowfall will keep going strong in the north, benefiting the My Lyford and Hanmer Springs ski fields, before backing off in the evening. The snow guns will also get a good run here as strong, cold southerlies abate and turn southeast.
On Mt Ruapehu, snowfall will turn wet briefly before clearing in the afternoon as temps warm. Strong southerlies also abate and turn southeast.
Saturday 27th June
Perfect weather for Opening Day in the Southern Lakes, with clear sunny skies and a light southeast breeze. Great snow-making conditions continue morning and night.
Opening Day at Mt Hutt will be damp and humid with low visibility as east-to-southeast winds push cloud in at ski-field height throughout Canterbury. There’ll be some light leftover snowfall in northern Canterbury until the afternoon.
Strong southeasterlies on Mt Ruapehu will bring showers of rain, which will fall as snow up top.
Sunday 28th June
A mostly fine start for South Island ski fields, but southerly winds will see cloud increase in the afternoon. It should be cold enough for making snow at most ski fields, morning and night.
Southeast winds persist on Mt Ruapehu, with a few light rain showers falling as snow up top. A colder airmass arrives overnight, so the snow gun will be able to fire up.
Monday 29th June
Another mint, clear day for the Southern Lakes with little to no wind and good snow-making conditions morning and night.
Cloud in Canterbury clears in the morning or afternoon, and there’ll be light south-to-southeast breezes. The snow guns should get a run overnight.
Another day of southeasterly winds for Mt Ruapehu with partly cloudy skies.
Tuesday 30th June
South Island ski fields will have a clear sunny day as north breezes develop.
It’ll also be clear and sunny for Mt Ruapehu as the easterly breeze dies out at last.
Extended Forecast
The weather becomes unsettled again later next week, likely starting with a strong northwest rainband moving up the South Island during Friday, the 3rd, and Saturday, the 4th of July. Cold air is expected to start arriving from Sunday, the 5th or Monday, the 6th, with models indicating good potential for a decent snowfall and a prolonged cold period. It’ll be just the boost we need to open up more terrain and get the season humming.
That’s all from me today, folks. I’m sending out NZ forecasts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday throughout the season. Have a great weekend, and I’ll see you back here on Monday.
Grasshopper
