NZ Weekly Weather Blog – NZ Winter has Begun!

July 4th, 2011

Matt White

Well… things are starting to pick up over here in NZ, since I last wrote there have been a few more fields open up across the country, bringing the grand total open to eight for now… And by the looks of things to come we may have some snow on the way as of tomorrow!!

The air has cooled down significantly over the week with some heavy frosts and perfect snowmaking temperatures. I ventured up to SnowPark on Friday/Saturday and they have done an incredible job with the amount of man made snow they have created already. Just goes to show how valuable a good snowmaking system is in a dry winter! Fields such as Treble Cone and Cardrona could definitely do with a hand from Mother Nature with some natural snow, I would imagine they will be able to open after this storm comes through.


Snow Park opening week edit

Looking at the weather for this week…
Nth Island – Tomorrow will begin with rain, but the freezing level will lower overnight providing much needed snow. Gale force winds will hammer the mountain from all directions over the week so look to the gullies and bowls for some windblown goodness!

Sth Island – Canterbury- Snow forecast all week amidst moderate to strong NW winds, this should help load the club fields in the Arthurs Pass region and allow them to open.
Mackenzie Country- Similar weather to that of Canterbury.. could be some good powder to be had at Ohau
Southern Lakes- Much needed snow to fall over the week, moderate North West winds shifting to strong Northerlies later in the week. A freezing level as low as 900m is expected so dress warm!

Now lets look at who’s open…..

Nth Island

Whakapapa – Open! with 45cm on Happy Valley and more runs to open up after this week’s snowfall…
Turoa – Open with 60cm on Giant Chair, Alpine Meadows, Movenpick Chair and Parklane Chair.

Sth Island

Mt Lyford – Open, 45cm on Cloudy, Paradise and Learners tows… chains required!!
Mt Hutt – Open with an average depth of 30cm on Morning Glory, Broadway, Highway 72 and the learners slope.. chains for all 2WD vehicles.
Ohau – Open with 22cm of manmade on Craigs Way, Top Flat, Boulevard and Learners run. No snow off these trails..
Snow Park – Open, 30cm of manmade snow on the MainLine, Box run and Learners run.. Snowmaking expanding the hills terrain every night.
Coronet Peak – Open, Approximately 15cm man made on M1, Millions, Lower Wall St, Big Easy, 3B and beginner trails.
The Remarkables – Open, around 30cm man made on trail, TNT/Gotham trail, Alta Green trail and learners trail are all open.

Looking ahead… we should see more ski fields open this week with the fresh snow forecast, fields that are already open should expand their operations to more trails.. and we should all crack a bottle of champers and celebrate the late (but finally here) winter!! See you all next week.. try not to huck yourself too much yet.. its early days still!

Snow Park open at last. Image:: Matt White

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.