NZ Weekly Weather Blog – Progress at Last

June 27th, 2011


Stoked to be skiing finally

Matt White

Well another week has passed and I can finally give you all some good news.. it’s not epic news but things are looking up for us snow-deprived kiwis, Mt Hutt opened today with limited terrain and Turoa is set to open tomorrow.

We still are seriously lacking snow but its good to see the snowmaking temperatures low enough to get a good coat of manmade on the trails in time for the big dump… gotta stay positive, you Aussies wont get all the pow pow this season! And positivity is definitely high around Wanaka and Queenstown, we may not have enough snow to open yet but the towns are alive with people all very eager to get up and amongst it. The local ski fields have been keeping their employees fed and entertained with inter-mountain sports events, there has been an airbag and dry slope set up for the really keen, and even an attempt to get a town snow-dance happening. The Queesntown winter festival has been hurting a little this week with a few of their events being cancelled due to not enough snow.. Its such an odd start to the season, according to weather experts it hasn’t been this warm in May or June for over 70 years… maybe this wee poem I heard the other day can remind us all that its early days yet.. ‘snow in May never stays, snow in June.. still too soon’, so if that’s anything to go by the big dump should be right around the corner!!

Weather Outlook for this week
In the North Island its looking good for cold temperatures and some natural snow, with snow forecast right through until Saturday, this should help Turoa expand their skiable terrain and give Whakapapa a good base to open on.
For the South Island it is looking a bit lighter on the natural snow front in the Cantebury region, with a mixture of snow flurries and sunshine seeing the week through. As we make our way further down south to the Southern lakes district the natural snow tapers off even more but we can expect cold temperatures for snow-making.. if all goes well Coronet Peak will be open soon!


Looking good up Turoa for tomorrow

Here’s an update on the Ski Field regions…..
Nth Island
Turoa – set to open on the 28th with Limited terrain open until more snow is accumulated. Currently they have a base of 45cm
Whakapapa – Opening as planned on July 2nd
Tukino- July 9

South Island
Cantebury
Mt Hutt – OPEN!! Limited terrain available at the moment, with the learners area and half of broadway open and snowmaking continues, they have a base at present of 20-40cm in the open terrain areas.
Porter Heights – TBC.. still on hold due to lack of snow.
Temple Basin, Cragieburn, Broken River, Mt Cheeseman – all still plan to open between 2nd and 9th July

Mackenzie District
Fox Peak, Mt Dobson, Roundhill and Ohau – are hoping to be open by the 9th of July also

Southern Lakes
Treble Cone- Still on hold, needs a lot more snow to open… have been snowmaking but need some natural also
Cardrona – Also on hold, no date set on opening yet… Snowmaking in progress
Snow Park – is on hold with a 12cm base.. If the weather stays cold expect to see these guys opening soon!
Snow Farm – On hold until they get more snow…
Coronet Peak – Itching to open, If the weather stays cold enough they may be able to open within a week due to an awesome snowmaking system they have.
The Remarkables – Still needs a bit more snow coverage..

Phew… hopefully this time next week I will be waxing my board and getting ready to shred! Lets hope this cold weather patch continues and mother nature delivers some powder too.. until next time.. pray for snow!!


Maybe if the whole of Wanaka was in this snow dance we would have snow on the hills now

The Remarkables forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Treble Cone forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Snow Farm 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.