NZ ski season is (finally) on as snow storm delivers

It all started so well when, earlier this year, freak snow opened up New Zealand ski resorts months before the official ski season. In March, Mt Hutt received a very unexpected 30cm of snow and decided to spin the lift for a one-off summer ski day.

Then in May, still a good month or two before peak season, Manganui in New Zealand’s North Island was the first ski area to open in the Southern Hemisphere after early snowfall.

Since then, however, it’s been touch and go with high temperatures and little snow.

Last week up to 80cm fell on New Zealand ski slopes, but ski resort closures followed after rain on lower slopes badly affected snowpack.

It’s been a yoyo winter, to say the least. But finally it seems like winter has got going, with an August storm delivering the goods. Although it’s hardly plain sailing just yet (with resorts – Mt Hutt, Cardrona – closed to handle to load), winter is looking up.

Take a look as New Zealand resorts enjoy the late arrival of winter and get skiing: