Next 3 days weather summary:Light rain (total 5.0mm) on Sun afternoon. Becoming colder with heavy fall of snow, heaviest during Mon morning. Freeze-thaw conditions (max 4°C on Sun morning, min -3°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the WNW on Sat afternoon, light winds from the NW by Mon night). | Days 4-6 weather summary:A dusting of new snow. Freeze-thaw conditions (max 4°C on Wed afternoon, min -4°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue afternoon, fresh winds from the WNW by Thu night). | |||||||||||||||||
Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | |||||||||||||
AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | |
 |  |  |  | |  |  |  |  | | | |  | | |  | |  | |
cloudy | some clouds | cloudy | light rain | light rain | heavy snow | heavy snow | light snow | some clouds | cloudy | cloudy | some clouds | clear | clear | some clouds | snow shwrs | some clouds | snow shwrs | |
km/h | ||||||||||||||||||
Snow map |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||
 cm | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 10 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
mm | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
max °C | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 0 | -3 | -3 | -2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | -2 |
min °C | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | -2 | -3 | -3 | -3 | -1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -4 |
chill °C | -4 | -6 | -6 | -1 | 0 | -5 | -7 | -7 | -8 | -4 | 0 | -2 | -2 | -1 | -5 | -3 | -6 | -9 |
Humid % | 53 | 80 | 76 | 92 | 82 | 99 | 98 | 97 | 83 | 84 | 96 | 88 | 65 | 69 | 39 | 73 | 51 | 90 |
Freeze m | 1900 | 1750 | 2200 | 2000 | 2400 | 1200 | 900 | 950 | 1100 | 1500 | 1450 | 1700 | 1900 | 2500 | 2900 | 1650 | 1550 | 800 |
 | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — |
 | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — |
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Avalanche information: New Zealand Avalanche Advisory
Latest snow reports near Mount Lyford:
| Top snow depth: | 65 cm |
|---|---|
| Bottom snow depth: | 20 cm |
| Fresh snowfall depth: | — |
| Last snowfall: | 31 Aug 2026 |
| Snow Alerts | Create Alert |
0.1 | Bluebird Powder days Fresh snow, mostly sunny, light wind. |
|---|---|
0.8 | Powder days Fresh snow, limited sun, any wind. |
0.3 | Bluebird days Average snow, mostly sunny, light wind. |
The above table gives the weather forecast for Mount Lyford at the specific elevation of 1400 m. Our sophisticated weather models allow us to provide snow forecasts for the top, middle and bottom ski stations of Mount Lyford. To access the weather forecasts for the other elevations, use the tab navigation above the table. For a wider view of the weather, check out the Weather Map of New Zealand.
Click here to read further information on freezing levels and how we forecast our temperatures.
Overall 3.4 Based on 11 votes and 4 reviews
Mt Lyford is a very worthwhile little resort. It is located on the edge of the Kaikouras about 40 minutes drive from the famous surf breaks. The location gives it a rather different climate to any other New Zealand reports and so it can have good seasons when other places are poor and vice versa. It is not terribly far from either Hanmer or Rainbow yet the weather at Mount Lyford is often very different. Easterly winds favour snowfall here but there is some exposure to southerly fronts too. Depending on the season, snow bases can range from 50cm to almost 5m. Mount Lyford is also unusual because there are many wooden chalets located above the winter snowline in the beech forest giving it a tranquil and Alpine feel. You can either hire a chalet here or stay in the ski-lodge down by the main road where there are rooms for all budgets. Alternatively, stay at popular Hanmer Springs or even at Kaikoura. The actual ski area is located several kms away and chains and/or 4WD are usually needed for access. Skiing is all above the trees which can cause problems if it is windy or if visibility is poor. Skiing facilities comprise of various drag lifts and a rope. They cover a modest area but as long as the lower lifts are running some longish runs are possible. It is nice terrain - not as challenging as say Broken River or Craigieburn, but good enough for most. Mid week tends to be very quiet here. The top rope tow gives access to a very nice off-piste area and ski touring options abound as long as it is safe to do so. The staff are friendly and there is a small Day Lodge for food and drinks or just a break. The views are incredible.
Rob from United Kingdom writes:
Mt Lyford is a very worthwhile little resort. It is located on the edge of the Kaikouras about 40 minutes drive from the famous surf breaks. The location gives it a rather different climate to any other New Zealand reports and so it can have good seasons when other places are poor and vice versa. It is not terribly far from either Hanmer or Rainbow yet the weather at Mount Lyford is often very different. Easterly winds favour snowfall here but there is some exposure to southerly fronts too. Depending on the season, snow bases can range from 50cm to almost 5m.
Mount Lyford is also unusual because there are many wooden chalets located above the winter snowline in the beech forest giving it a tranquil and Alpine feel. You can either hire a chalet here or stay in the ski-lodge down by the main road where there are rooms for all budgets. Alternatively, stay at popular Hanmer Springs or even at Kaikoura.
The actual ski area is located several kms away and chains and/or 4WD are usually needed for access. Skiing is all above the trees which can cause problems if it is windy or if visibility is poor.
Skiing facilities comprise of various drag lifts and a rope. They cover a modest area but as long as the lower lifts are running some longish runs are possible. It is nice terrain - not as challenging as say Broken River or Craigieburn, but good enough for most. Mid week tends to be very quiet here.
The top rope tow gives access to a very nice off-piste area and ski touring options abound as long as it is safe to do so. The staff are friendly and there is a small Day Lodge for food and drinks or just a break. The views are incredible.
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