South Island, New Zealand
Awakino
Awakino: 430m vertical, 3 rope tows, 60% advanced terrain. NZ$60 day pass. Volunteer-run club field in Canterbury's St Marys Range.
Season 2026
Opens
4 July 2026
Closes
27 Sept 2026
Days open
85
Annual snow
3m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Awakino operates between 1,450 and 1,880 metres elevation across 100 hectares of skiable terrain in the St Marys Range. The field offers 22 runs with 430 metres of vertical drop, distributed as 10% beginner, 30% intermediate and 60% advanced terrain across 5 kilometres of slopes. Run by the Waitaki Ski Club since the late 1940s, the field receives approximately 2.5 metres of annual snowfall, with easterly exposure sheltering it from prevailing westerly systems whilst capturing southerly dumps. Adult day passes cost NZ$60, amongst the lowest in New Zealand.
Glacier Basin forms the advanced skiing heart of the field, featuring steep gullies and rock towers accessed from the ridge tows. Named runs include Arthur's Run and the old access tow gully, which provide ski access to the lodge below the main field. Intermediate terrain spreads across varied aspects, whilst learner slopes occupy the gentler base area serviced by a dedicated 70-metre rope tow. The north-facing valley orientation provides multiple aspects within a compact area, allowing riders to find variable snow conditions across a single session.
This volunteer-operated club field typically sees fewer than 20 skiers on a busy day, operating weekends and select long weekends from July through October. The historic 40-bunk lodge sits at 1,100 metres on the access road, 300 metres below base facilities, featuring coal burners, generated electricity, hot showers and an outdoor spa. No mobile coverage reaches the lodge. The 1980s Kassbohrer groomer fires up occasionally, but most terrain remains ungroomed. A WWII Nissan hangar serves as the base building, with a functioning red telephone box nearby.
Awakino operates independently without pass affiliations, requiring direct booking through the Waitaki Ski Club. Extensive ski touring extends onto the surrounding St Marys Range, with Te Kohurau peak at 2,010 metres accessible via skins or snowmobile for NZ$10 vehicle access. The field suits intermediate to advanced riders seeking uncrowded powder, backcountry access and authentic club skiing, though weekend-only operations and volunteer staffing demand flexible planning. Members contribute work hours in exchange for skiing access, maintaining the field's no-budget, self-reliant ethos established over seven decades.
430m
Vertical
22
Runs
124 acres
Skiable
3m
Annual snow
The Terrain
22 runs across 124 acres skiable
Awakino spreads 22 runs across 124 acres skiable of terrain. It leans advanced at 60%, with 2 beginner runs to find your feet and 13 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
22
runs
22 runs across 4 grades
Beginner2 runs · 10%
Intermediate7 runs · 30%
Advanced13 runs · 60%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Awakino
The 2026 season operates from 4 July through 27 September, with the field typically open most weekends when snow conditions and volunteer availability align. Total season length spans approximately 12 weeks, though midweek and long weekend openings occur when conditions permit and advance bookings justify operations. The volunteer-run model means operational dates respond to group bookings rather than fixed daily schedules, requiring advance coordination through the club. Historical records show most weekend operations running July through October in typical seasons.
The St Marys Range receives most snowfall from southerly and south-easterly systems moving up the coast, with the field's easterly exposure capturing these storms whilst remaining sheltered during westerly flow. Annual snowfall averages 2.5 metres at the 1,600-metre mid-mountain elevation. Awakino remains known for deep wind-blown powder that accumulates in gullies and basins, often staying untracked for days due to minimal visitor numbers. The field prioritises natural snow over grooming, with the vintage Kassbohrer fired up only occasionally for key runs.
July and August deliver peak snowfall and most consistent base depths, with mid-winter southerly dumps producing the chalky powder conditions the field's devotees seek. Early season skiing from late June depends on elevation and aspect, whilst September brings spring corn as temperatures rise. Week four of May historically records the snowiest period with typically 2.4 snowy days and 16 centimetres of accumulation. The relatively isolated eastern position means weather forecasts and avalanche information remain limited compared to commercial fields, requiring backcountry awareness from all visitors.
No night skiing, terrain parks or formal events programme operates at Awakino. Occasional ski lessons run by arrangement at NZ$60 per hour for up to two people, subject to instructor availability. The draw remains weekend lodge stays combining skiing with the communal experience of coal-fired meals, spa sessions overlooking the Waitaki Valley, and morning skin tracks into fresh powder. Advance booking proves essential, as operations depend on sufficient numbers to justify volunteer staffing and field opening.
Season 2026
4 July 2026
Opens
27 Sept 2026
Closes
85
Days open
3 m
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Awakino, and where to stay
The field sits high in the St Marys Range within the Waitaki District of Canterbury, South Island, though geographically positioned in North Otago near the Canterbury-Otago boundary. The base lodge occupies 1,100 metres elevation with the skiing area extending to 1,880 metres across an easterly-facing bowl. The St Marys Range forms part of the broader Oteake Conservation Park, with tussock-covered slopes giving way to rocky alpine tops. Views extend across the Waitaki Valley and Hakataramea Valley, with Aoraki Mount Cook visible on clear days.
Kurow township, 16 kilometres east in the Waitaki Valley, provides the nearest services and road access departure point. Oamaru sits 45 kilometres east via State Highway 83, offering more comprehensive services including supermarkets and accommodation. The Waitaki Ski Club, founded in 1938, originally operated near Dansey's Pass before relocating to Awakino after World War II when New Zealand Post facilities became available. The region's farming heritage persists, with the access road traversing active high-country stations where gates must be left as found.
Access follows State Highway 82 or 83 to Kurow, then Manse Road to Cattle Valley Road, turning left onto Awakino Skifield Road. The 4WD-only route climbs through farmland, crossing the Awakino River at a ford before hairpin switchbacks ascend to the lower carpark suitable for 2WD vehicles. The final 2 kilometres to the lodge demands 4WD, often requiring chains in winter conditions. The steep section known as the Awakino Test challenges vehicle capability, with club members available to shuttle visitors from the lower carpark by arrangement. Total drive time from the lower carpark to lodge spans 30 minutes walking or 10 minutes by 4WD.
Christchurch Airport lies 272 kilometres north, requiring 3.5 hours driving via State Highway 1 and State Highway 82 through Timaru and Oamaru. Queenstown Airport sits 216 kilometres southwest with 2.5 hours driving via State Highway 8 through Omarama and the Lindis Pass. Dunedin Airport provides a third option 142 kilometres south. Richard Pearse Airport at Timaru operates 98 kilometres north with limited domestic services. No regular public transport serves Kurow or the Waitaki Valley, making private vehicle essential for field access.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Awakino, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Awakino's ski season?
Awakino's season typically runs from July 4 to September 27, roughly 85 days, weather and conditions permitting.
How much skiable terrain does Awakino have?
Awakino has about 124 acres skiable across 22 runs.
How many lifts does Awakino have?
Awakino operates 3 lifts in total.
How much snow does Awakino get?
Awakino averages around 98 inches (8.2 feet) of snowfall per season.
Where can I buy Awakino lift tickets?
Lift tickets for Awakino can be purchased directly from the resort online, or in person at the ticket office. See the full pricing breakdown on the lift tickets page.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.
4 Sept 2026
Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
Tremblant has confirmed a major expansion of its Quebec ski area, with a new Timber Summit sector adding 62 acres of terrain, eight trails and a high-speed quad chairlift for winter 2027/28. It's part of a CAD 42.5 million investment that also includes a new beginner learning zone at Versant Soleil opening this coming season. The project has grown considerably since it was first announced back in 2020, when it carried a far smaller budget and an opening date that never eventuated.
2 Sept 2026
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.
1 Sept 2026
Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
Thredbo Alpine Resort has confirmed plans to replace its 37-year-old Gunbarrel quad chairlift with a new six-seat Doppelmayr D-Line, targeting winter 2028. The AUD 35 million project will keep travel time roughly the same but lift capacity from 2,800 to 3,000 skiers per hour. It's part of a broader investment push that also includes doubled snowmaking capacity at Friday Flat for 2027, with the ageing Kosciuszko Express now flagged as the resort's next major lift replacement after Gunbarrel.
31 Aug 2026
Aerial Tram Collides With Crane at Alpe d'Huez: 23 Injured
An aerial tram carrying around fifty passengers struck the boom of a construction crane on the route to Pic Blanc at Alpe d'Huez on Wednesday morning, injuring 23 people, three seriously. The cabin tipped on impact before the operator reversed it to right the car. Most of the injured were treated on site, with five taken to hospital in Grenoble, including a pregnant woman assessed as a precaution.
28 Aug 2026
Why Glaciers Are Collapsing - And What Happens When They Do
A deadly flood on the Nepal-China border, a decade-old tragedy on Italy's Marmolada, and an unstable glacier right now above a village near Zermatt - three very different mountain ranges, the same underlying story. Warming ice is destabilising terrain that was considered settled for generations, and the results range from catastrophic floods to slow-motion monitoring situations that could go either way.
27 Aug 2026
Pitztal Glacier Set to Reopen for the 2026/27 Ski Season on 26 September
Tyrol's highest ski area is gearing up to open a full month ahead of most of the Alps. The Pitztal Glacier is scheduled to start its 2026/27 season on Saturday 26 September, running through to 2 May 2027, with the lower-altitude Rifflsee area following in December. High-altitude terrain up to 3,440 metres gives the glacier a head start on snow, though as always, the actual opening extent will depend on how September's weather plays out. Early online ski pass bookings can save up to 30%.
26 Aug 2026
Unstable Glacier Above Randa Puts Zermatt-Area Village on Alert
A hanging glacier above the Swiss village of Randa, just south of Zermatt, has been shedding large chunks of ice for weeks, with authorities warning more break-offs are likely. A danger zone has been closed off since June, though officials say the village's 479 residents aren't at risk. It's a familiar pattern for this glacier - it's done this before, in 1819, 1972 and 1973 - but a reminder of how closely Alpine authorities now watch terrain once considered stable.
26 Aug 2026