Visiting Rainbow
Helpful resort information to assist planning your trip to Rainbow.
- Season opens—
- Season closes—
- Accommodation—
- Restaurants | Bars2 | 1
- Nearest Airport Nelson
- Nearest Train Station Blenheim
- Tourist Office Website
- Tourist Office Phone+6435211861
Rainbow Features
The terrain at Rainbow includes::
- Halfpipes—
- Terrain Parks1
- X-Country—
- Ski Hire—
What's it like at Rainbow resort?
Rainbow is located close to the Nelson Lakes National Park, just 2 hours drive from Nelson or Blenheim. Overlooking Nelson Lakes National Park with its extensive beech forest and beautiful Lake Rotoiti, the views from the top of the chairlift at Rainbow are spectacular. The wide, uncrowded slopes and well groomed trails provide superb terrain for beginners and intermediates while advanced skiers can challenge themselves in the high powder runs and chutes. Rainbow's season usually extends from the start of July to mid October and the south to south easterly aspect ensures excellent snow quality throughout the season. Rainbow is accessed from State Highway 63, between Blenheim and St Arnaud (40 min drive), where a range of accommodation can be found.
Latest photos from Rainbow. View all photos at the Rainbow gallery page.
Photo credit: James Lazor
Photo credit: James Lazor
Photo credit: James Lazor
Photo credit: James Lazor
Photo credit: James Lazor
Photo credit: James Lazor
Photo credit: James Lazor
Photo credit: James Lazor
Explore Rainbow Location Map
Interactive Rainbow trail map and piste map. View the piste and trails as well as the surrounding terrain and mountain contours for backcountry action. Find and compare nearby resorts by clicking on the resort markers.

Rainbow Live Weather
Resort | Snow Depth | Temp. (°C) | Wind (km/h) | Weather | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Top Lift: | 5 | |||||
Bottom Lift: | 4 | |||||
When's the snowiest month to visit Rainbow?
Visitor Reviews of Rainbow
Curly Todd from New Zealand writes:
One of New Zealand’s best Ski areas with terrain to cater to any ones ability. Rainbow has that real club laid back feel with staff and skiers/snowboarders alike having such a friendly accommodating attitude which is truly infectious. Rainbow hosts several events with the highlight for me being the Atomic Rainbow Masters held every year late August. This event consist of two events GS then SL, with the incredible unselfish organization being completed by the St Arnaud Ski Racing Foundation which makes my annual trip to Rainbow and the Rainbow Masters unmissable.
Resorts close to Rainbow
Discover ski resorts near Rainbow. Click below to view there ski resort guides.
Hanmer Springs Ski Area
Last snow: 3.7 cm Wed 22 MarLifts: 3
Trails: 17
64 km awayMount Lyford
Last snow: 3.7 cm Wed 22 MarLifts: 6
Trails: —
67 km awayTemple Basin
Last snow: 7.7 cm Tue 21 MarLifts: 4
Trails: 22
157 km awayCraigieburn
Last snow: 3.0 cm Tue 21 MarLifts: 3
Trails: 25
167 km awayBroken River
Last snow: 3.0 cm Tue 21 MarLifts: 5
Trails: —
170 km away