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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Latest News
More from the SnowStash desk
Spain Moves to Ban Smoking at Ski Resorts Under New Tobacco Law
Spain's government has approved a draft tobacco law that would ban smoking across a wide range of outdoor spaces, including sports venues - a category Spanish winter sports media expect to cover ski resorts, potentially extending to slopes and lifts themselves. The rules would also apply to e-cigarettes and vaping devices, even nicotine-free ones. The bill still has to clear the Spanish parliament before any ban, signage, or fines can take effect.
South Tyrol Approves New 16-Person Ciampinoi Gondola in Val Gardena
South Tyrol has approved a full rebuild of the Ciampinoi cable car in Selva di Val Gardena, replacing the current 12-person gondola with a 16-person cabin and a new mountain-station restaurant. Capacity is capped at 3,200 people an hour rather than the 3,600 the operator wanted, and 250,000 euros must go toward compensatory measures. No construction or opening date has been set, though the upgrade is partly aimed at clearing bottlenecks before the 2031 Alpine Ski World Championships.
Resort Spotlight: Hoshino Tomamu - Corporate Japan's Mountain Playground Revisited
Hoshino Tomamu is the ski resort equivalent of a conference hotel that happens to have excellent powder. Built for corporate retreats and package tourists, it offers genuine Hokkaido snow on surprisingly limited terrain - 29 runs spread across 585 vertical metres.
La Thuile's New Cable Car Replaces Two Ageing Chairlifts
La Thuile is spending 38.7 million US dollars on a new 10-person cable car linking Les Suches to Chaz Dura, replacing the La Combe and Chaz Dura chairlifts after nearly forty years of service. Built by Leitner, the new cable car runs 1,950 metres to a top station at 2,576 metres, carrying up to 3,000 people an hour with a six-minute ride. It also improves the connection to La Rosiere in France via the Petit-Saint-Bernard Pass, and is on track to open for the 2026/27 season.
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.
Ski Portillo Cut Off After Storm Dumps More Than 4.5 Metres of Snow
Ski Portillo remains isolated after an extended storm buried the Chilean resort under more than 4.5 metres of snow, with both ground and air access suspended since Tuesday while crews monitor avalanche hazards and worsening weather. Resort officials say further snowfall is expected in the coming days and haven't set a timeline for reopening the mountain road. Once access resumes, the scale of the snowpack could set up a strong season at one of the Southern Hemisphere's most historic ski resorts.
Resort Spotlight: Lotte Arai - Japan's Corporate Ski Anomaly With 22 Metres of Annual Snowfall
Lotte Arai receives 22 metres of annual snowfall - exceptional even by Japanese standards - but its corporate ownership model and limited terrain create an unusual cost-benefit equation. Here's what the numbers actually mean on the ground.
Resort Spotlight: Banff Sunshine Village - Nine Metres of Snow and a Season That Runs Until May
Banff Sunshine Village sits at 1,660m base and receives 9.27m of snow annually. Inside Banff National Park, it offers a six-month season and terrain split that skews heavily advanced - though the crowds and lift infrastructure tell their own story.