NZ Weekly Weather Blog – Getting the Goods!

June 11th, 2011


Cardrona on the weekend, what a difference a week makes! Image:: Cardrona

Snow Journal | Matt White

Hi everyone, well it has been quite an exciting week here in NZ, we have been getting nailed by what you could call ‘the perfect storm’… it has been snowing since Thursday and still more to come – forecast up until at least this Thursday…

The problem most ski areas face now is too much snow, in comparison to last week’s lack of snow!! It may be a few weeks late but it has definitely arrived now.. fields that have been unable to open till now will be fully open once the storm passes in what looks to be an epic winter ahead! Treble Cone has had a difficult few weeks trying desperately to open, from Wanaka you could only see a tiny skiff of snow on the Triple Treat run.

Now the official word is that the car park is buried in 1.2m of snow and they are expecting at least another 50cm in the next 48 hours! Avalanche control is being undertaken across the country but until it stops dumping the risk will be high so you may see some fields not open until they can make it safe.

(Right)TC looking EPIC! Image:: Treble Cone

Looking at the weather this week…

NTH ISLAND:
Snow forecast for National Park region and Manganui Ski Area right through until Thursday/Friday with possible showers followed by some much desired sunshine.

STH ISLAND:
Very similar to that of Nth Island, Snow throughout the Southern Alps until Thursday with clear skies forecast for the weekend just in time for the school holidays.
Temple Basin now boasting 1.5m fresh! Image:: Temple Basin
Where to go once the storm clears… If I was you I would be keeping an eye on the club fields in Arthur’s Pass and also Treble Cone and Ohau further south.. They have had the best snowfalls so far, meaning they will be the hot spots for all you fresh powder lovers. Not to say everywhere else wont be good though.. theres plenty of freshies for everyone just take your pick! One thing to remember however is that all backcountry areas will be highly unstable for a while to come. It may look epic out there but it wont be epic when you end up in a slide… no one needs to be a hero this early in the season.

In terms of who’s opening when, its a tough one to predict at the moment… roads need to be cleared, avalanche control needs to be done. and in some instances tows have to be dug out.. we have been patient till now so a few more days wont hurt. Anyone who has lived in a ski town before will know all too well that the bar is the place to be whilst waiting out the storm… go meet some new skiing buddies and celebrate the start of an epic winter to come! Enjoy the powder and I shall see you all next week.

The Remarkables forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Treble Cone forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Snow Park forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Cardrona forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Turoa forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Coronet Peak forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Whakapapa forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Mount Hutt forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.