Next 3 days weather summary:Light rain (total 5.0mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Freeze-thaw conditions (max 3°C on Wed night, min -1°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 weather summary:Light rain (total 9.0mm) at first, then becoming colder with a dusting of snow on Sat night. Freeze-thaw conditions (max 4°C on Fri morning, min -1°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the SSE by Sat night). | |||||||||||||||||
Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | |||||||||||||
AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | |
 |  |  | |  |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | |
light snow | some clouds | some clouds | some clouds | cloudy | cloudy | cloudy | light snow | light rain | light rain | light rain | light rain | cloudy | light rain | cloudy | light snow | light snow | light snow | |
km/h | ||||||||||||||||||
Snow map |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||
 cm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — |
max °C | -1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
min °C | -1 | 0 | -1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | -1 |
chill °C | -6 | -4 | -1 | -3 | -2 | -5 | -5 | -4 | -3 | -1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | -2 | -7 |
Humid % | 97 | 89 | 77 | 70 | 79 | 79 | 85 | 100 | 99 | 99 | 93 | 86 | 70 | 80 | 81 | 93 | 97 | 90 |
Freeze m | 1400 | 1600 | 1650 | 1600 | 1950 | 1650 | 1700 | 1900 | 2150 | 2150 | 2200 | 2150 | 2300 | 2350 | 2250 | 2100 | 1900 | 1550 |
 | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — |
 | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — |
SnowProGo pro and carve into:
Avalanche information: New Zealand Avalanche Advisory
Latest snow reports near Rainbow:
Recent light rain reported from St Arnaud at 629 metres elevation 8 kms N of Rainbow but it is forecast cold enough for snow at the ski area from Rainbow
| Top snow depth: | — |
|---|---|
| Bottom snow depth: | — |
| Fresh snowfall depth: | 14 cm |
| Last snowfall: | 9 Aug 2026 |
| Snow Alerts | Create Alert |
0.8 | Bluebird Powder days Fresh snow, mostly sunny, light wind. |
|---|---|
1.0 | Powder days Fresh snow, limited sun, any wind. |
1.5 | Bluebird days Average snow, mostly sunny, light wind. |
The above table gives the weather forecast for Rainbow at the specific elevation of 1650 m. Our sophisticated weather models allow us to provide snow forecasts for the top, middle and bottom ski stations of Rainbow. 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 3.5 Based on 10 votes and 4 reviews
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.
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.
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