New Zealand Ski Season kicks off with snow
New Zealand’s eTravelBlackboard report the best start to the New Zealand ski season for a long while, following a storm that plastered snow over the South Island mountains.
As more New Zealand ski areas open for the season, many are reporting the best start to the season in a decade. A series of cold southerly storms laden with snow have passed through ski areas over the past six weeks contributing to near perfect conditions for skiers and riders.
Mt Ruapehu opened its beginners’ area on Friday (16th June) and the ski area is looking to progressively open other facilities over the next few days. However opening efforts have been pleasantly hampered by more snow falls. A storm passed through yesterday but has cleared today. The Happy Valley area of Whakapapa is open – once staff dig their way to the lift areas!
Whakapapa advises there is a 90 cm base on the upper part of the mountain and Turoa ski area reports 120cm.
The South Island’s Mt Hutt ski area is reporting the best skiing and riding conditions in June for a decade. There is top to bottom skiing in the basin, including the lower Triple Chair area. The average base is 75cm.
