Snow Report 30 July 2015 - Australia & New Zealand

We have just a few days to go and then we're into August. The good news is that all the ski resorts and skifields across Australia and New Zealand are open, and conditions are rocking - they're pretty good!

AUSTRALIA

A snowy weekend and some little top-ups of snow during this week have seen some of the best conditions on the slopes of the season so far. A bit of snow is forecast for tonight and more on the weekend.

Mt Buller 30.07.15 [Source: Mt Buller webcam]

Mt Buller

33cm from the recent storm. Mt Buller now has 15 lifts running, with Bull Run opening on Tuesday for skiing down Standard. Grimus, Southside, Federation and Boggy Creek lifts are yet to open. Snow depth: 56cm

Mt Hotham

37cm from the weekend snowfalls. Sunday saw the opening of the upper Blue Ribbon runs along with Lower Playground, Pipeline, Off The Edge and the Wall of Death. Monday saw Gotcha open and Wednesday saw Keogh's and The Orchard open. Snow depth: 83cm

Falls Creek

Falls recorded 42cm in snowfalls. Lakeside Poma opened Monday along with bits of The Maze. International opened later in the week meaning all lifts at Falls are now running. Snow depth: 86cm

Falls Creek 29.07.15 [Source: Falls Creek FB page]

Perisher

Perisher reported a whopping 70cm from the snowy storm cycle. The four resort areas are all open and 45 lifts are running.

Thredbo

All ski lifts are now running at Thredbo after 46cm fell in the recent storm.


NEW ZEALAND

Rain, wind, sun and some snow over the weekend with the northwesterly airflow. A bit of everything! Then a decent snowfall arrived in the middle of the week. A few top-ups are likely again this weekend, although the freezing level is quite high. Next week is looking promising for a return to more wintery conditions.

North Canterbury and Nelson

Rainbow - Snow depth 30/48cm
Hanmer Springs is still closed awaiting new snow - Snow depth 40cm
Mt Lyford received 15cm on Wednesday - Snow depth 50cm

Canterbury

Mt Hutt received 12cm on Wednesday - Snow depth 75/105cm
Porters - Snow depth 100/120cm

Mt Hutt 30.07.15 [Source: Mt Hutt FB page]

The Mackenzie

Ohau - Snow depth 60/100cm
Roundhill - Snow depth 50cm
Mt Dobson got 7cm midweek - Snow depth 60cm

Wanaka

Treble Cone - Snow depth 91cm (top of the Home Basin)

Cardrona - Snow depth 70cm

Queenstown

Coronet Peak - Snow depth 75/175cm

The Remarkables - Snow depth 100/150cm

Snow Report 23 July 2015 - Australia & New Zealand

We are now into the peak of the ski season in both Australia and New Zealand. With no school holidays on and more lifts open its a great time to go skiing.

AUSTRALIA

It was fine and sunny through the weekend until Tuesday. Then, a little rain arrived on Wednesday as well as some strong winds. The forecast has some very good snowfalls arriving from Friday night and continuing through into Monday. Early next week we could have closer to 1 metre of snow on the ground.

Falls Creek 23.07.15 [Source: Falls Creek FB page]

Mt Buller

Mt Buller now has eight lifts running but there is still plenty of terrain yet to open. It needs a good snowfall to get things really going. Snow depth: 31cm

Mt Hotham

Rain and a little snow over the past few days has softened the snowpack. It will take another 40cm or so to open The Orchard. Snow depth: 52cm

Falls Creek

Falls received 4cm overnight and has great cover for intermediate skiing across Sun Valley. More snow needed for the advanced areas to open fully. Snow depth: 46cm

Perisher

12cm snow overnight with 40 lifts operating means Perisher certainly has the most extensive terrain open in Australia.

Thredbo

5cm overnight with the resort recommending the groomed runs for the best skiing.

Porters 23.07.15 [Source: Porters webcam]

NEW ZEALAND

Cold and snowy on the weekend with up to 15cm at some skifields. It has become fine during the week with some nice sunny days.

It looks like being mainly fine but perhaps a little unsettled this weekend, with unusually warm temperatures. Some snow would be welcome next week.

North Canterbury and Nelson

Conditions are marginal in the north.
Rainbow is warm today with good conditions on the groomed runs - Snow depth 38/60cm
Hanmer Springs has been closed this week - Snow depth 40cm
Mt Lyford received 30cm on Saturday to get things going - Snow depth 50cm

Canterbury

Mt Hutt received 17cm on Saturday - Snow depth 80/130cm
Porters has its signature Big Mama run open and good cover up high - Snow depth 100/120cm

Treble Cone 23.07.15 [Source TC webcam]

The Mackenzie

Cover is ok but not amazing in the Mackenzie.
Ohau looks like it could do with a good dump  - Snow depth 53/95cm
Roundhill - Snow depth 50cm
Mt Dobson - Snow depth 60cm

Wanaka

Treble Cone is looking great in terms of coverage - Snow depth 83cm (top of the Home Basin)

Cardrona has warm sunny conditions today - Snow depth 80cm

Queenstown

Coronet Peak - Snow depth 75/175cm

The Remarkables - Snow depth 100/150cm

Snow Report 16 July 2015 - Australia & New Zealand

Australia has now got its act together for season 2015 as a large snowfall covered the Victorian and NSW resorts. In New Zealand it was mainly fine but with high-quality winter snow around Queenstown and Wanaka.

AUSTRALIA

Rain, sleet and snow on Friday gave way to colder temperatures on Saturday and some good falls around the Alps. Most skifields across Australia received half a metre or more, allowing lots more lifts and terrain to open and the season to really get started. At long last!

There are a few light snow showers lingering tomorrow with fine weather forecast for the weekend. Another snowfall is needed to back up this delayed start to the season.

Falls Creek 16.07.15 [Source: Falls Creek FB page]

Mt Buller

A total of 38cm from the storm. 0cm into Saturday. 10cm into Sunday. 8cm into Monday. 7cm into Tuesday allowed the opening of the Kofler's T-bar. 11cm into Wednesday allowed the opening of 2 more lifts - Summit and Howqua. 2cm into Thursday means Mt Buller now has nine lifts running. Snow depth: 35cm

Mt Hotham

Total of 55cm from the storm. 12cm into Saturday. 13cm into Sunday not enough to open more terrain on the weekend. 13cm into Monday allowing more terrain to open in Heavenly Valley. 4cm into Tuesday allowed The Summit lift to open and Imagine to be groomed for the first time. 9cm into Wednesday. 4cm into Thursday. This time last year, Mt Hotham topped 125cm snow depth. Snow depth: 55cm

Falls Creek

Falls received 51cm from the storm. 14cm into Saturday. 13cm into Sunday allowed Falls to open Eagle and Scott Chair on the weekend. 6cm into Monday and Ruined Castle opened. 4cm into Tuesday. 11cm into Wednesday, and 3cm into Thursday opened Summit Chair for the first time this year. Snow depth: 53cm

Perisher 15.07.15 [Source: Perisher webcam]

Perisher

A total of 59cm from the storm. 11cm into Saturday, 25cm into Sunday. 10cm into Monday. 7cm into Tuesday. 2cm into Wednesday. 4cm into Thursday. Perisher now has 31 lifts operating (23 last week) for 41 groomed runs.

Thredbo

Thredbo scored 63cm from the storm. 2cm into Saturday, 22cm into Sunday. 25cm into Monday. 10cm into Tuesday. 2cm into Wednesday. 2cm into Thursday. Ten lifts are running at Thredbo this weekend.


NEW ZEALAND

A fine and sunny weekend with severe frosts in the Southern Lakes. Rain midweek and strong winds closed some skifields in Canterbury. In the Southern Lakes there were warm winds with rain at the base with a touch of snow higher up.

We are expecting some snowfalls today, varying according to location, then another fall on the weekend to return the slopes to the fantastic winter conditions.

North Canterbury and Nelson

Ohau 15.07.15 [Source: Ohau FB page]

Rainbow - Snow depth 35/60cm
Hanmer Springs - Snow depth 40cm
Mt Lyford- Snow depth 50cm

Canterbury

Mt Hutt - Snow depth 70/125cm
Porters - Snow depth 100/120cm

The Mackenzie

Ohau  - Snow depth 53/95cm
Roundhill - Snow depth 50cm
Mt Dobson - Snow depth 60cm

Wanaka

Treble Cone - Snow depth 88cm (top of the Home Basin)
Cardrona - Snow depth 70/230cm

Queenstown

Coronet Peak - Snow depth 75/175cm
The Remarkables - Snow depth 95/140cm

Snow Report 9 July 2015 - Australia & New Zealand

There were some good falls of snow over the weekend in New Zealand. In Australia, it tried but was mainly cloudy. A large snowfall across the Victorian and NSW great dividing range is widely anticipated through this weekend.

AUSTRALIA

Still no snow of note in Australia and the resorts are operating as much as they can on snowmaking. This looks set to change, however, with perhaps 50cm falling at most resorts this weekend. Enough to get much more terrain open and the first significant fall of the season so far. And there may be even more snow falling next week.

Mt Buller

Mt Buller has five lifts open. Intermediate skiing is on Little Buller Spur and Wombat. Snow depth: 5cm natural, 40cm on snowmaking runs

Mt Hotham

Mt Hotham is operating the Big D beginners area, the Village Loop, Sun Run, and Summit Trainer. Heavenly Valley for Milky Way and Snake Gully only opened during the week. Snow depth: 7cm natural, 73cm on snowmaking runs

Falls Creek

Falls Creek has the Main St, Drovers, Wombats and Mousetrap areas operating. Snow depth: 4cm natural, 56cm on snowmaking runs

Perisher

Perisher has 23 lifts operating for 29 groomed runs.

Thredbo

Nine lifts are running at Thredbo this weekend.


NEW ZEALAND

There were some good snowfalls on the South Island on Sunday through Monday. Cold southerlies have dominated the weather since, bringing some calmer weather to the Southern Lakes with a few snow flurries, and lots of snow to Canterbury more recently.

The weekend looks like being fine and sunny all over. A perfect time to enjoy the great conditions!

Rainbow 08.07.15 [Source: Rainbow FB page]

North Canterbury and Nelson

Rainbow - Snow depth 30/60cm
Hanmer Springs is hoping to open on the 11th July 2015
Mt Lyford has 50cm across the mountain enabling it to open on Saturday 11th July 2015

Canterbury

Mt Hutt received 10cm overnight - Snow depth 65/135cm
Porters received 20cm overnight - Snow depth 100/120cm

The Mackenzie

The Remarkables 06.07.15 [Source: Remarks FB page]

Ohau  - Snow depth 50/100cm
Roundhill - Snow depth 50cm
Mt Dobson - Snow depth 60cm

Wanaka

Treble Cone - Snow depth 105cm (top of the Home Basin)
Cardrona - Snow depth 40/260cm

Queenstown

Coronet Peak - Snow depth 85/185cm
The Remarkables - Snow depth 95/140cm

Snow Report 4 July 2015 - Australia & New Zealand

A little snow is on the way in Australia as we move into midwinter July and the school holidays. In New Zealand. the smaller skifields are now all open to visitors taking advantage of the great conditions on the South Island.

AUSTRALIA

It has been a very slow start to the season in Australia, much as it was for New Zealand last year. The good news is that a little snow should arrive and persist over the next few days.

Mt Buller

Mt Buller has five lifts open, including Skyline T-bar which opened today. Intermediate skiing is on Little Buller Spur and Wombat Snow depth: 0cm natural, 38cm on snowmaking runs

Mt Hotham

Blue Cow Perisher 04.07.15 Source: Perisher website

Mt Hotham is operating the Big D beginners area, the Village Loop, Sun Run, and Summit Trainer. Snow depth: 8cm natural, 20cm on snowmaking runs

Falls Creek

Falls Creek has the Towers lift operating for intermediate runs, and also opened Drover's Dream chair today for the first time. Snow depth: 9cm natural, 48cm on snowmaking runs

Perisher

Perisher has 22 lifts operating for 27 groomed runs.

Thredbo

Nine lifts are running at Thredbo this weekend, and the Supertrail made its season debut off Snowgums Chairlift.

Cardrona 25.06.15

NEW ZEALAND

We flew into Queenstown on the 23rd June to take advantage of some of the best early season conditions in years.

It was bitterly, record-breakingly cold on the South Island. This meant that snow was still evident at low altitudes away from the lakes, in Arrowtown, low down in the Cardrona Valley, and on the Crown Range.

Only Coronet Peak and Cardrona were open for skiing and boarding when we arrived with The Remarkables being delayed and Treble Cone scheduled for later in the week.

We did the easy drive up to Coronet Peak on the 24th, and the drive over to Cardrona on the 25th June.

Coronet Peak from The Remarkables 27.06.15

Coronet had all lifts running and some good off-piste above mid-mountain. Cardrona was glorious in the sunshine with all lifts operating, even Valley View.

The roads were treacherous for several days as light rain froze on the roads causing black ice on all the highways and even on roads in Queenstown. There were many tales of flipped cars around the region.

Instead of heading to Treble Cone across the Crown Range we decided to play it safe at Coronet Peak again. It was warmer and the runs softened, then the wind picked up late in the day. There was good skiing on the groomed runs.

On Saturday we were fortunate enough to be at The Remarkables for opening day, along with sparking wine welcome. This was also the official opening of the wonderful new base building which deserves the accolades it is getting. A great spot to enjoy a hot chocolate and lunch.

The Remarkables from top Curvey Basin Express 27.06.15

This was also our first time trying out the Curvey Basin Express chairlift that was opened last year. It certainly adds a good selection of on and off-piste lifted terrain and makes The Remarkables skifield feel much bigger.

Even the Homeward Runs were open on opening day, with the bus taking us back from a challenging and tiring ski down in the heavy, tracked powder.

Wind arrived on Sunday and persisted into Monday when all resorts apart from Treble Cone were closed.

After a fall of snow, the sunshine returned on Tuesday when we returned to Cardrona. Despite the wind, there was some great runs and the Captains Basin was great in the sun.

Remarkables base building 01.07.15

We spent our last day at The Remarkables again in great conditions - the highlight being a last run on Homeward in softening conditions.

We hope to be back again later in the season.

Latest conditions:

Wanaka

Treble Cone - Snow depth 97cm (top of the Home Basin)
Cardrona - Snow depth 75/100cm

Queenstown

Coronet Peak - Snow depth 60/155cm
The Remarkables - Snow depth 85/120cm

North Canterbury and Nelson

The Remarkables and Homeward 02.07.15

Rainbow received 25cm fresh snow on 3rd July - Snow depth 25/55cm
Hanmer Springs delayed opening to 8th July 2015
Mt Lyford delayed opening to 8th July 2015

Canterbury

Mt Hutt - Snow depth 60/130cm
Porters - Snow depth 100/120cm

The Mackenzie

Ohau  - Snow depth 50/100cm
Roundhill - Snow depth 50cm
Mt Dobson - Snow depth 60cm