Photo POWDER Report – The Snow Storm that Changed NZ Overnight

Even the chairlifts were snowed in at Mt Hutt Image:: Mt Hutt

Snow Journal

As the skies clear slightly New Zealand’s skiefields are able to take stock of the epic polar freeze storm of the past couple of days.

“We have come though the other side of the storm with over 1.2 meters of new snow at the base area. The crew are presently working on the mountain and the road to get access and assess when we can reopen.”
Craigieburn

While there’s been enough of a break in the weather for the resorts to get outside, clear some snow and take some photos, this storm is by no means over. “Three solid days of snow and there’s still plenty of juice left in this system,” says The Grasshopper. It might be clearing around the Southern Lakes, allowing punters there to get into the fresh, but this southerly will continue to pump in cold air and moisture to Canterbury and the North Island through today and Thursday before easing back on Friday.

The weekend is looking magnificant for the South Island under a big ridge of high pressure. It looks like blue skies all the way. It might take a bit longer on Saturday for winds and snow flurries to ease on the Central Plateau of the North Island.

That high pressure is going to stick around for a while, so if you can get away from work, I can’t think of a better time to take leave than early next week,”

Local Rodger Barker had this to say:

The vibe in Ohakune is amping, yesterdays riding was the best to be had in many a moon with many a lemming heading towards a cliff for the ritual of throwing themselves off the ledge and into the fluffy white bliss that has fallen from the sky, the snow is still falling and this could shape up to be the best season in over two decades. The international 32 team is on their way into town and will be in for a treat as Mt Ruapehu holds the best terrain in Australasia in a pow pow snow fall and right now the pow pow just wont stop falling, the likes of JP walker will be in the zone and making the most of the king mountain’s terrain.

No wonder there’s no access to many of the resorts Image:: Mt Hutt

The Remarkables was open on Wednesday. Some nice powder down low Image:: The Remarkables

The road up to Ruapehu Tuesday morning was nothing short of spectacular Image:: Ruapehu

The Bluebird powder day seemed like a once in a lifetime opportunity Image:: Ruapehu

The fresh tracks at The Remarkables looking superb

Look how soft Coronet Peak’s groomed trails looks Image:: Coronet Peak

Some one up at Snow Park needing assistance

No where could escape the wind effected snow Image:: Mt Hutt

The Remarkables forecasts,
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Cardrona forecasts,
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Turoa forecasts,
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Coronet Peak forecasts,
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Whakapapa forecasts,
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Mount Hutt forecasts,
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