New Zealand’s 2026 Ski Season Starts Friday
The southern hemisphere's 2026 ski season looks set to begin far earlier than expected, with New Zealand club field Hanmer Springs confirming it intends to open tomorrow following an unusually heavy autumn snowfall.
New Zealand’s 2026 ski season looks set to begin far earlier than expected, with club field Hanmer Springs confirming it intends to open tomorrow, Friday 24 April, following an unusually heavy autumn snowfall.
The announcement, made via social media, explained: “Autumn Skiing – not sure what to say about this….. Could be a little agricultural, sporty, or even a bit spicy. Just the way we like it. We have got around 20-30cm over the last few days, lower down, more higher up, the shirt front tow will be open on Friday the 24th. Plenty of snow about for some tussock jumping skiing & riding, tobogganing and some good old-fashioned fun in the snow.”
Ski areas nationwide have reported several mid‑autumn snowfalls in recent weeks, but the latest system has delivered notably deeper accumulations on higher terrain, with drifts several metres deep. Mt Hutt is pictured below yesterday.
Early‑season snow has also been reported this month in Australia and across the Andes.
The southern hemisphere’s ski season typically ramps up in early June, with most resorts open by early July. A growing number now use all‑weather snowmaking systems to offer limited terrain from late May or June. Australia’s Corin Forest has already produced snow for a play area, currently open only for sledging.
In New Zealand, Coronet Peak says it is close to completing installation of a TechnoAlpin Snow Factory capable of producing 200 m³ of snow per day, enabling beginner terrain and snow play areas to open from late May. A similar system is already in use at Whakapapa on Mt Ruapehu.
