New Zealand Ski Resorts Opening Again

Image Credit: Mt Hutt Ski Resort It’s official, the New Zealand govt has announced that as of tomorrow majority of the country will move to Level 2 restrictions and with this change ski resorts are able to open and operate again. After being plunged into lockdown in mid-August the whole country has been in lockdown for 20 days and ski resorts on both islands were forced to stop operations overnight.Whilst Auckland will remain at Level 4 the remainder of the country will now shift to Level 2 and based on the social media accounts; we can tell that all the mountain resorts + riders are keen to get back on snow.It’s great to see the ski resorts opening again as prior to this announcement the only place you could ride in the southern hemisphere was in South America. Australia continues to remain in lockdown which is forcing all of Australia’s ski resorts to remain closed. We have pulled together the latest updates from all the major resorts across New Zealand to see what will be happening tomorrow morning and beyond.TuroaMoving to Level 2 will allow for visitors and riders to come back to the resort. Chairlifts will begin spinning tomorrow morning and there is an aim to open as much of Turoa ski field as possible. During lockdown there has been a few storm fronts which have the mountain looking primo! There are some rules that will apply to anyone visiting Turoa ski field and we have summed them up below:If you feel unwell, stay home and rest upFace coverings are required for all guest 12 and over. Across the whole ski resort at all timesEveryone must check in (scan or sign in). This applies to the ski area and facilities across the mountain. Look out for the QR codesSocial distancing is required (normally easy on a ski field)Turoa ski field capacity is 2,250 visitors at one timeNo need to book parking, once capacity is reached it will be one in one outBe kind and be patient when on the mountain – if everyone works together then the resort can remain open for the rest of the seasonNot only will be the Turoa chairlifts be turning again but the mountain is expecting 45cm of fresh snow before the weekend. Did someone say powder turns on a volcano? Turoa Ski Field Current ConditionsUpper Mountain Snow Base: 180cm / 70”3-day Fresh snow forecast: 45cm / 18” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tūroa Ski Area (@turoaskiarea) Turoa Ski Area Quick FactsElevation Top 2,322mElevation Bottom 1,600mVertical Drop 722mSkiable Terrain 500ha (1,235 acres)Beginner 11%Intermediate 32%Advanced 36%Advanced 21%Snow Making 50 HectaresWant to learn more about Turoa, see the weather forecast or the snow cams? Visit our Turoa ski field page. WhakapapaMuch like Turoa, Whakapapa ski field will open to the public tomorrow morning. The chairlifts will start turning in the morning and it’s likely that the terrain will gradually open throughout the day as visitors get onto the mountain. Whakapapa ski field saw a number of storms roll past the mountain during lockdown so there is plenty of snow covering the resort and we hope to see nearly 100% of terrain open up before the weekend. There are some rules that will apply to anyone visiting Whakapapa ski field and we have summed them up below:If you feel unwell, stay home and rest upFace coverings are required for all guest 12 and over. Across the whole ski resort at all timesEveryone must check in (scan or sign in). This applies to the ski area and facilities across the mountain. Look out for the QR codesSocial distancing is required (normally easy on a ski field)Whakapapa ski field capacity is 3,050 visitors at one timeNo need to book parking, once capacity is reached it will be one in one outBe kind and be patient when on the mountain – if everyone works together then the resort can remain open for the rest of the seasonWhakapapa Ski Field Current ConditionsUpper Mountain Snow Base: 149cm / 58”3-day Fresh snow forecast: 51cm / 20” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Whakapapa Ski Area (@whakapapaskiarea) Whakapapa Ski Area Quick FactsElevation Top 2,300mElevation Bottom 1,630mVertical Drop 670mSkiable Terrain 550ha (1,359 acres)Beginner 30%Intermediate 40%Advanced 20%Expert 5%Total Number of Trails 67Snow Making 100 Hectares Want to learn more about Whakapapa, see the weather forecast or the snow cams? Visit our Whakapapa ski field page. Mt HuttStanding silent above the Canterbury plains for the last 20 days Mt Hutt has been waiting. Many riders in the local area have been looking up at the glorious mountain waiting to be able to return to the ski slopes. The last 24 hours Mt Hutt has seen 9cm of fresh snow which will be wind-blown and would have filled in any of the gaps. There are some rules that will apply to anyone visiting Mt Hutt ski resort and we have summed them up below:Keep your distanceScan in on the Covid Tracer AppWear a mask or face covering on our ski buses, car park shuttles and while indoors (unless eating or drinking)Wear a mask or face covering while in queues and on the chairliftsPractice good hygieneStay home if you are unwellWash your hands and sneeze or cough into your elbowMt Hutt Current Conditions Upper Mountain Snow Base: 245cm / 96” 3-day Fresh snow forecast: 23cm / 9” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mt Hutt Ski Area (@mthuttnz) Mt Hutt Ski Area Quick FactsElevation Top 2,086mElevation Bottom 1,403mVertical Drop 683mSkiable Terrain 365 ha (902 acres)Longest Run 2kmBeginner 25%Intermediate 50%Advanced 25%Total Number of Trails 25Snow Making 42 hectaresTotal Number of Guns 79Want to learn more about Mt Hutt Resort, see the weather forecast or the snow cams? Visit our Mt Hutt Resort page. Treble ConeThere could be no better time for Treble Cone to open up again, a powerful system is starting late Tuesday night and will continue all the way through to the weekend with an estimated 74cm / 29” of new snow. This could in fact be the best week of the season as the chairlifts are spinning again, the powder will be endless and the yeow’s will be heard far and wide. Obviously, the operation will be a little different than at the start of the season due to the Level 2 restrictions however if this is what it takes to get back onto the snow for the rest of the spring season we can only imagine that many Treble Cone riders will do what’s required. There are some rules that will apply to anyone visiting Treble Cone ski resort and we have summed them up below:Face coverings must be worn in all indoor spaces, apart from while eating/drinking in our cafes.Cafe seating will be limited to dining guests only.Face coverings must also be worn on all mountain transport.We can fully load our lifts, but all lift users must wear face coverings over your mouth and nose from before you enter the lift line, and the whole way up the lift.If you are unwell, please stay at home.Wash your hands frequently, cough/sneeze into your elbow, and use hand sanitiser provided.Practise 2m physical distancing from others. Families and households don't need to physically distance.Our indoor spaces will be limited to 50 dining guests at a time, and will be run on a one-in / one-out basis.It could take extra time to get your lunch from our cafes/restaurants, and you won't be able to eat packed lunches indoors.We won't be able to store bags in our cafe areas during Level 2 – either ski/board with your bag, or leave your bag in your car.Ski from your car – use it for shelter, to rest and have a picnic... just like the old days!Every Cardrona/Treble Cone visitor must scan in using the Covid Tracer app on shuttle buses, at each cafe/restaurant, and for the mountain in general.All lessons and programmes are running as usual - please contact lessons@cardrona-treblecone.com if you have any questions.Treble Cone Current ConditionsUpper Mountain Snow Base: 101cm / 40” 3-day Fresh snow forecast: 74cm / 29” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Treble Cone Ski Area (@trebleconenz) Treble Cone Ski Area Quick FactsElevation Top 1,960mElevation Bottom 1,260mVertical Drop 700mSkiable Terrain 550ha (1,359 acres)Longest Run 4.3 kmBeginner 10%Intermediate 45%Advanced 30%Expert 15%Terrain Parks 2Snow Making 50 hectaresTotal Number of Guns 20Want to learn more about Treble Cone Ski Resort, see the weather forecast or the snow cams? Visit our Treble Cone Resort page. CardronaJust like sister resort Treble Cone, Cardrona will swing open the doors and get riders back on the mountain from 9am tomorrow morning. In the last 24 hours there has been 5cm of fresh snow to get things ready and the mountain ops team were able to head out into the resort earlier in the week. There is a high chance that most of the front side of Cardrona ski resort will open tomorrow with more of the mountain opening up later in the week.We can’t wait to see the team get Willows Basin up and running again as this is the newest chairlift at the resort and was only able to start turning just before lockdown started.Operations will likely get fully back into action by the weekend where an additional 41cm / 16” of snow is expected to fall across the resort. Here's an overview of our Level 2 protocols: Face coverings must be worn in all indoor spaces, apart from while eating/drinking in our cafes.Cafe seating will be limited to dining guests only.Face coverings must also be worn on all mountain transport.We can fully load our lifts, but all lift users must wear face coverings over your mouth and nose from before you enter the lift line, and the whole way up the lift.If you are unwell, please stay at home.Wash your hands frequently, cough/sneeze into your elbow, and use hand sanitiser provided.Practise 2m physical distancing from others. Families and households don't need to physically distance.Our indoor spaces will be limited to 50 dining guests at a time, and will be run on a one-in / one-out basis.It could take extra time to get your lunch from our cafes/restaurants, and you won't be able to eat packed lunches indoors.We won't be able to store bags in our cafe areas during Level 2 – either ski/board with your bag, or leave your bag in your car.Ski from your car – use it for shelter, to rest and have a picnic... just like the old days!Every Cardrona/Treble Cone visitor must scan in using the Covid Tracer app on shuttle buses, at each cafe/restaurant, and for the mountain in general.All lessons and programmes are running as usual - please contact lessons@cardrona-treblecone.com if you have any questions. Cardrona Current ConditionsUpper Mountain Snow Base: 65cm / 25” 3-day Fresh snow forecast: 41cm / 16” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cardrona Alpine Resort (@cardronanz) Cardrona Alpine Resort Quick FactsSummit elevation 1,860mBase elevation 1,260mVertical rise 600mBeginner runs 25%Intermediate runs 50%Advanced runs 20%Expert runs 5%Total number of runs 38Longest Run 4km / 2.5miTotal lifts 6Average Snowfall 3m / 9.5ftTerrain Parks 3Skiable Terrain 345 ha (852 acres) Want to learn more about Cardrona Mountain Resort, see the weather forecast or the snow cams? Visit our Cardrona Resort page. The RemarkablesIt’s the news the team at The Remarkables has been waiting for, as of Wednesday the region will move to Level 2 and the mountain will be able to welcome back visitors and riders. 4cm of fresh snow has fallen in the last 24 hours to get things going and from tomorrow morning chairlifts will begin turning.The powerful storm front is set to hit the region and will leave an estimated 65cm / 25” of fresh snow across the resort. This could end up being the weekend of the season as Saturday is set for bluebird conditions with a tonne of fresh snow. We would assume that the mountain will gradually open as the number of visitors will be limited and the resort needs to ensure everyone is adhering to the new rules set in place. There are some rules that will apply to anyone visiting The Remarkables ski resort and we have summed them up below:Keep your distanceScan in on the Covid Tracer AppWear a mask or face covering on our ski buses, car park shuttles and while indoors (unless eating or drinking)Wear a mask or face covering while in queues and on the chairliftsPractice good hygieneStay home if you are unwellWash your hands and sneeze or cough into your elbowThe Remarkables Current ConditionsUpper Mountain Snow Base: 95cm / 37”3-day Fresh snow forecast: 65cm / 25” View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Remarkables (@theremarkables) The Remarkables Quick FactsElevation Top 1,943mElevation Bottom 1,586mVertical Drop 357mSkiable Terrain 220ha (543 acres)Longest Run 1.5 kmBeginner 30%Intermediate 40%Advanced 30%Total Number of Trails 46Snow Making 29 HectaresTotal Number of Guns 32 Want to learn more about The Remarkables Mountain Resort, see the weather forecast or the snow cams? Visit our The Remarkables ski resort page. Coronet PeakOn the other side of Queenstown from The Remarkables, Coronet Peak has patiently been waiting for the green light to get things going again. Tomorrow morning the resort will start spinning those chairs and welcome back riders from across the country. Not only will Coronet Peak be open for riding tomorrow, but they will also be offering night riding at one of the best places to ski in the evening.The same cold front that is going to hit the other resorts will leave an estimated 66cm / 26” of fresh snow across Coronet Peak and we think the Queenstown locals will be able to hear the cheers coming from the riders hitting the powder stashes across the resort. There are some rules that will apply to anyone visiting Coronet Peak ski resort and we have summed them up below:Keep your distanceScan in on the Covid Tracer AppWear a mask or face covering on our ski buses, car park shuttles and while indoors (unless eating or drinking)Wear a mask or face covering while in queues and on the chairliftsPractice good hygieneStay home if you are unwellWash your hands and sneeze or cough into your elbow Coronet Peak Current Conditions Upper Mountain Snow Base: 80cm / 32”3-day Fresh snow forecast: 66cm /26” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Coronet Peak Ski Area (@coronetpeak) Coronet Peak Quick FactsElevation Top 1,649mElevation Bottom 1,187mVertical Drop 462mSkiable Terrain 280ha (692 acres)Longest Run 2.4kmBeginner 25%Intermediate 45%Advanced 30%Total Number of Trails 32Snow Making 81 hectares Want to learn more about Coronet Peak Mountain Resort, see the weather forecast or the snow cams? Visit our Coronet Peak Resort page. 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