Early snow has NZ ski industry buzzing
13 May 2009
Snow has been falling thick and fast in New Zealand in an unseasonably early arrival that spells good news for winter sports enthusiasts.
While one small North Island skifield - Manganui on Mt Taranaki - opened today (12.05.09), skifields in other parts of both islands are reporting good base cover and making plans for early opening and a bumper 2009 season.
The May snow falls are the earliest in decades for some regions according to local weather experts.
The timely falls are another boost for the New Zealand ski tourism industry which is already in a positive frame of mind after a record breaking 2008 season when excellent snow conditions attracted more visitors than ever before.
Early cold snap
As well as providing major snowfalls on the country’s major ski destinations, the unseasonable cold snap saw temperatures in some parts of New Zealand plummet to mid-winter levels while a major hail storm in the Bay of Plenty turned the coastal city of Tauranga into a spectacular winter wonderland.
The icy weather even prompted some snowboarders to test their skills on sand dunes at the region’s well known Mount Maunganui and Papamoa beaches.
North Island skifields
The North Island has beaten the south to an early opening with Mt Taranaki's Manganui skifield already operating its learner's slopes and T-bar for tobogganers, skiers and snowboarders.
Stratford Mountain Club safety services convener Todd Cations-Velvin said there was a 30 - 50cm base cover.
Yesterday Mount Taranaki, in the west of the North Island, and the nearby Pouakai Ranges were dressed in white, signalling the winter ahead.
In the central North Island, snow has been falling on the mountainous Central Plateau for most of the week and looks set to continue.
Turoa skifield has had 60cm of snow, while Whakapapa on the other side of Mt Ruapehu has had 40cm. Turoa is due to open on 20 June and Whakapapa a week later, and staff reckon the old saying that "snow in May will never stay" looks as though it may be proved wrong.
Canterbury skifields
In the South Island, Mt Hutt skifield has received more than 170cm of snow in the past 10 days taking the base level to 110cm - the best early snow in the area for decades.
Dave Wilson, Mt Hutt ski area manager, says it’s good news for skiers and snowboarders, as well as the industry.
"Methven is buzzing and it’s great news for local business. There’s nothing like getting great early snow to get the phones ringing hot with enquiries," Wilson said.
Mt Hutt staff said the planned opening date was 13 June but a decision about bringing that forward would be made after considering health, safety and logistical issues.
At Porters skifield, 40cm of snow fell in the car park and 1.5m at the top of the mountain. Staff said they hadn’t seen such conditions in May for 20 years and they were confident the snow would stay. The skifield is due to open on 26 June.
Queenstown skifields
Further south in Queenstown, Coronet Peak had 50cm of snow over seven days providing good base conditions for a scheduled season opening on 6 June.
Ski area manager Hamish McCrostie said: "We’re well and truly gearing up to open in less than four weeks and we’re thrilled with current conditions. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the forecast with a view to start snowmaking around the 25th of May."
Across the valley at The Remarkables, 55cm of snow has fallen in the past week. Ski area manager Ross Lawrence scaid the snow had formed a good base and was doing a great job in cooling down the ground surface.
"We had a few keen local freestyle skiers up here over the weekend hitting the rails in the fresh snow which was great to see," he said.
The Remarkables skifield is due to open on 13 June.
Central Otago skifields
Cardrona ski area staff were busy packing down a 40cm base at the top of the mountain after 15cm of snow fell in three days and left a 15cm to 20cm base on the lower slopes. Cardrona is due to open on 26 June.
Treble Cone has also received a good fall of about 15cm with a 30cm upper-mountain base.
Kingston Café and Bar owner Peter McEntyre said he had done a roaring trade last weekend when graders clearing the road between Kingston, Garston and Athol in Central Otago meant motorists stopped for hot soup to warm up.
"We've had tourists through, especially from Queensland, Australia who are very excited, wanting to buy chains, but there's no need," he said.
More information:
2009 New Zealand ski season
NZ winter skiing and snowboarding adventures
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