News category
Latest in New Zealand
The Remarkables Adds Scarpa Bowl to Its Inbounds Terrain
The Remarkables is adding new inbounds terrain for winter, bringing the Scarpa Bowl - known locally as the Toilet Bowl - into its lift-accessed network after years as backcountry-only ground. The roughly 500 metre run is reached by bootpacking from the top of the Sugar Bowl chairlift, with a shuttle picking skiers up from the road at the bottom. It's a smaller, faster addition than the resort's planned Doolans expansion, though the new terrain hasn't opened yet due to a lack of snow this season.
Michael Fulton
Freeride World Tour Qualifier Heads Back to The Remarkables in August
The North Face Frontier, a Freeride World Tour Qualifier event, is returning to The Remarkables in Queenstown from 28 August to 3 September. The event pairs a two-star qualifier at Shadow Basin for newcomers with a four-star event on the Alta Chutes, one step below the professional level. Now in its 21st year, the competition has produced past FWT champions including New Zealanders Jess Hotter and Ben Richards, and comes as freeriding heads toward its Olympic debut at the 2030 Alps Games.
Michael Fulton
Why a Lift Ticket Costs $356 at Vail and €76 in Austria - And Almost Nobody Pays the American Price
A lift ticket at Vail hit $356 US this season. In Austria, a day at Kitzbühel still costs around €76. At Perisher, which Vail bought in 2015, the window rate has roughly doubled against inflation in a decade - while just across the Tasman, where Vail owns nothing, prices stayed put. Same sport, same snow, wildly different outcomes depending on who owns the lift. We went through the SEC filings, the court records and the pass math to work out why. Full breakdown below, video included.
Michael Fulton
Cardrona and Treble Cone Launch App with New Zealand's First Phone-Based Ski Pass
Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone have launched a new app that includes New Zealand's first phone-based lift pass - no RFID card required. Skiers can now walk from the car park to the lift gates with just their phone. The Mountains App also brings live snow reports, trail maps, webcams, run tracking, and seasonal leaderboard challenges.
Michael Fulton
New Zealand Snow Report: A Season-Starting Shot of Snow Arrives
New Zealand just got a reminder that winter means business. Coronet Peak, Mt Lyford, Mt Dobson, Mt Hutt, the Remarkables, and Treble Cone all picked up 11-12cm in the last 24 hours, with Cardrona adding 5cm. The commercial resorts are still finalising their opening dates, but snowfall like this has a way of accelerating those conversations. More snow is in the 14-day forecast - here's the full picture.
Michael Fulton
The Remarkables Could Become New Zealand's Largest Ski Area With NZD 150 Million Doolans Basin Expansion
NZSki has formally applied to expand The Remarkables into the Doolans Basin - a NZD 150 million-plus (USD 88.5 million) proposal that would grow the resort from 449 to 711 hectares and make it the largest single ski area in New Zealand. A 2.7km gondola, doubled visitor capacity, and four summers of construction. Here's what's on the table.
Michael Fulton
Coronet Peak Opens for the 2026 Season on 29 May, Leading New Zealand's Winter Kickoff
Coronet Peak has opened for the 2026 ski season on 29 May, making it the first major ski resort to come online in the Southern Hemisphere this year. The early start is powered by the resort's Snow Factory snowmaking system, with limited terrain and beginner-focused operations running through to 12 June before full mountain hours begin.
Michael Fulton
Two New Zealand Ski Areas Target May Openings Using Snow Factory Technology
Coronet Peak and Whakapapa are both planning late-May openings using Snow Factory machines that produce snow regardless of ambient temperature. The technology allows limited terrain access before traditional season starts, though whether sledging operations and beginner carpets constitute actual ski area openings is debatable.
Michael Fulton
Rainbow Ski Area Moves to Weekend-Only Operations After Failed Season
New Zealand's Rainbow Ski Area is scaling back to weekend operations with volunteer support after receiving just 29 cm of natural snow in 2025. The club field recorded a total season loss following unprecedented low snowfall in Nelson Lakes National Park.
Michael Fulton
New Zealand's 2026 Ski Season Opens Early as Hanmer Springs Surprises with April Turns
New Zealand's 2026 ski season has kicked off weeks ahead of schedule, with Hanmer Springs Ski Area confirming it will open its lifts on Friday 24 April following an unusually heavy autumn snowfall. The announcement came via a characteristically low-key social media post from the volunteer-run club field, which has a quiet habit of beating the rest of the country to opening day.
Michael Fulton
South Island New Zealand Storm to Deliver 50-80 cm Through Thursday
Canterbury ski areas are tracking up to 80 cm through Thursday morning as a multi-day storm system moves through New Zealand's South Island. Mt. Hutt and Porters sit in the bullseye, while the North Island faces stronger wind than snow and Queenstown-area resorts remain on the periphery.
Michael Fulton
Avalanche Incident at Treble Cone Highlights Backcountry Risks
A recent avalanche in New Zealand's Treble Cone backcountry serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by off-piste skiers, especially during periods of unstable conditions.
Michael Fulton
Temple Basin Ski Area Wont Open for 2025 Amid Snow Shortage
New Zealand's Temple Basin ski area announces closure for the 2025 winter season due to insufficient snowfall, highlighting broader challenges facing Kiwi ski resorts this year.
Michael Fulton
Perisher Reaches Full Operations as Australian Resorts Lead Southern Hemisphere
Australian ski resorts are experiencing their best conditions in years, with Perisher hitting 100% operational capacity. Meanwhile, other Southern Hemisphere destinations face mixed fortunes as the 2025 season progresses.
Michael Fulton
Cardrona's Soho Basin Opening Delayed Due to Weather
Cardrona Alpine Resort postpones the opening of its new Soho Basin expansion due to unseasonable weather. The 150-hectare addition promises new terrain for intermediate and advanced skiers.
Michael Fulton
New Zealand Ski Resorts Expect Up to 15 Inches of Snow
South Island ski areas are set for a significant snowfall, with up to 15 inches expected in some regions. The weather system will bring varying amounts of snow across different resorts, impacting skiing conditions throughout New Zealand.
Michael Fulton
Nico Porteous: From Olympic Champion to Freeski Filmmaker
New Zealand's Olympic freeski champion Nico Porteous transitions from competitive halfpipe to filming and event production, marking a new chapter in his skiing career.
Michael Fulton
Cardrona Alpine Resort Unveils Expanded Trail Map for 2025 Season
Cardrona Alpine Resort in New Zealand is set to become the largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere with its 2025 expansion, featuring new terrain and lifts.
Michael Fulton
Whakapapa Ski Area Prepares for Busy 2025 Snow Season
Whakapapa Ski Area is set to open for the 2025 snow season with new equipment and a full staff. The management team is prepared for a busy season with improved snow-making capabilities and a range of activities for all skill levels.
Michael Fulton
Mt. Hutt's Opening Day Rescheduled Due to Heavy Snowfall Forecast
Mt. Hutt ski resort in New Zealand has adjusted its opening day back to June 13 due to an unexpectedly large snowfall forecast, promising excellent early-season conditions for skiers and riders.
Michael Fulton
New Zealand Ski Resorts Anticipate Major Snowfall: Up to 4 Feet Expected
New Zealand's ski resorts are preparing for a significant early-season snowfall, with forecasts predicting up to 4 feet of snow across the Southern Alps this week.
Michael Fulton
Mt Hutt Opens Early for 2025 Ski Season After Major Snowfall
Mt Hutt in New Zealand has announced an early opening for the 2025 ski season, starting from May 31, following a significant snowstorm that delivered 120cm of snow to the resort.
Michael Fulton
Record May Snowfall at Mt. Hutt Ski Resort
Mt. Hutt in New Zealand's Canterbury region has received an unprecedented 1.2 metres of snow in early May, potentially leading to an early season opening.
Michael Fulton
Tūroa Ski Area Announces 2025 Winter Season Opening Plans
Tūroa Ski Area on Mt. Ruapehu, New Zealand, has revealed its opening plans for the 2025 winter season, including new pass options and early bird rates for season passes.
Michael Fulton
Whakapapa Ski Field Reopens: New Operator Takes Helm
Whakapapa ski field on Mt. Ruapehu, New Zealand, is set to reopen under new management after years of financial uncertainty. Whakapapa Holdings Limited has secured a 10-year concession to operate the popular North Island ski destination.
Michael Fulton
New Zealand Ski Resorts Welcome Early Snow in Autumn
Several New Zealand ski resorts have received their first snowfall of the season in mid-autumn, signalling the approaching winter and building anticipation for the upcoming ski season.
Michael Fulton
Cardrona Expands with New 6-Seater Chairlift and T-Bar
Cardrona Alpine Resort is set to enhance its offerings with a new 6-seater detachable chairlift in Soho Basin and a T-bar for the terrain park, both scheduled to open for the 2025 winter season.
Michael Fulton
Cardrona Alpine Resort Partners with Chinese Ski Region to Boost Global Snow Sports
New Zealand's largest ski resort, Cardrona Alpine Resort, has signed a collaboration agreement with China's Chongli District Ice and Snow Association, aiming to enhance ski tourism and winter sports participation worldwide.
Michael Fulton
New Zealand's Superpass: Access 10 Ski Resorts on One Ticket
NZ Ski introduces Superpass, offering skiers and riders access to 10 mountains across New Zealand. This flexible pass allows for customised ski trips and includes perks at 60 off-slope venues.
Michael Fulton
Mt Ruapehu Winter Season Saved By New Zealand Govt
Get ready for an exciting winter season at Mt Ruapehu in New Zealand! After facing uncertainty, the ski area has received a crucial loan of up to NZD 5 million from the New Zealand Government, saving hundreds of jobs and ensuring a successful season. Day passes, sightseeing, and sledding passes are available now, with season passes on sale soon. With fresh snowfall and the opening coinciding with the school holidays, it's the perfect time to hit the slopes. As temperatures drop, more lifts and terrain will progressively open throughout July and August. Don't miss out on the thrilling adventures awaiting at Mt Ruapehu!
Michael Fulton
Latest News
More from the SnowStash desk
Utah Ski Resorts 2026-27: What’s New at Alta, Deer Valley, Powder Mountain and More
Utah is still building flat out. For 2026-27, Powder Mountain opens a steep new Skytrac chair into more than 1,000 acres of advanced terrain, Deer Valley adds 200 acres on Hail Peak, Sundance gets a new quad and Park City adds a gondola from its new parking structure. Snowmaking is expanding almost everywhere, Eagle Point stays closed after the Cottonwood Fire, and the 2034 Games are setting the pace. Here’s what’s new, resort by resort.
13 Oct 2026
Vermont Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: Few Dates Set, Killington Waits on the Cold
Vermont's season is slow to take shape. Stratton is tentatively targeting 18 November and Sugarbush 21 November, while Pico has Friday 11 December on the calendar. Killington never sets a date and opens when the snowmaking allows, and Vail Resorts has yet to name days for Stowe, Okemo and Mount Snow. The forecasts disagree about snow, and the main El Niño worry for the Green Mountains is warmth.
9 Oct 2026
Crans-Montana 2027 World Championships President Resigns Ahead of Fraud Hearing
Less than four months out from the Crans-Montana 2027 World Championships, the man running the organising committee has stepped down. Claude-Alain Schmidhalter resigned as Swiss-Ski vice president and OC president after being indicted over a business dispute unrelated to skiing. He denies the allegations and faces court on October 27. Interim leaders are in place for the February 1-14 event.
9 Oct 2026
Kelly Canyon, Idaho, Adds Snowmaking, a Bigger Terrain Park and More Parking for 2026-27
Kelly Canyon had a rough 2025-26, and the Idaho resort has spent the summer making sure it doesn’t repeat. Snowmaking now reaches the top of Goldrush, the terrain park is doubling in size with a stereo system, lights and a snack shack, and the car park is getting bigger. Grooming is stepping up too. Target opening is December 4, conditions permitting.
9 Oct 2026
Valle Nevado Extends Season to November 8 After 108 cm in 48 Hours
Winter was meant to be winding down in Chile. Then Valle Nevado took 108 cm in 48 hours in early October, and the resort has pushed its closing date out to November 8 - its latest in 38 years of operation. That makes 143 days of skiing since opening day on June 19, with 690 cm banked for the season. Only part of the mountain is running while the storm settles, so check the mountain report before you plan a trip.
9 Oct 2026
Alps Snow Forecast: Cold Front Brings Thursday Snow to the High Alps
The Alps look a lot more like winter today, for a day or so. A cold front is moving west to east, dropping up to 35 cm on high glaciers and peaks, with snow levels falling to around 1,500-1,800 m at times. Don’t plan a trip around it: mid-elevation snow will be thin and wet, every area is closed bar a limited Sölden glacier opening tomorrow, and warmer weather returns by Monday.
8 Oct 2026
California Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: Mammoth Leads, Tahoe Follows
Mammoth Mountain is first up in California, targeting Friday 13 November after a dusting of September snow. Heavenly and Northstar follow on 20 November, Palisades Tahoe on Wednesday 25 November and Sugar Bowl on 27 November, with Kirkwood on 4 December and June Mountain on 19 December. Plenty of smaller areas have no date yet. A super El Niño favours the Sierra, but a warmer storm track is the catch.
7 Oct 2026
Colorado Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: A-Basin and Keystone Race to Be First
Arapahoe Basin, Keystone and Winter Park are all chasing an October start, though none has a firm date yet. The first dated openers are Breckenridge and Copper on Friday 6 November, then Vail on 13 November, with most of the rest bunched around US Thanksgiving. Hesperus did not open at all last season. A super El Niño offers hope but no guarantee, and forecasters say the southern mountains have the better odds.
5 Oct 2026