Ski resorts in the Southern Alps are celebrating a surge of activity after a significant snowstorm last week blanketed the region, drawing thousands of eager skiers over the weekend.
The storm, which moved up from Southland, breathed new life into the Southern Alps’ skifields. Among the most grateful was Mt Olympus, a club skifield that seized the opportunity to open its slopes.
“Without that snowstorm, we’d still be closed,” said Thomas Stephens, spokesperson for Mt Olympus.
The Lake Coleridge skifield officially kicked off its season on Saturday, marking its first operational day. Despite initial uncertainty about whether they could open, Stephens noted that while many Australian visitors canceled their trips, those who braved the journey were rewarded with excellent conditions.
“It wasn’t our busiest opening, but we still had more than 30 guests staying at the lodge, with another 30 day-trippers coming in on both Saturday and Sunday,” Stephens added.
In contrast, Mt Hutt Ski Area saw a bustling weekend, with approximately 10,000 skiers hitting the slopes between Friday and Sunday. The fresh snowfall allowed Mt Hutt to fully open all of its runs, with pristine powder transforming the mountain into a skier’s paradise, according to manager James McKenzie.
“It’s been a fantastic turnaround. We’ve gone from zero to hero,” McKenzie said. “Mt Hutt’s been able to offer a world-class experience.”
McKenzie also highlighted the positive feedback from visitors regarding the ski area’s new initiatives, which include priority carpooling and subsidized bus fares from Christchurch, designed to streamline access to the mountain.
With more snow predicted for Thursday and in the coming weeks, both McKenzie and Stephens are optimistic about the rest of the season.
Porters Alpine Resort reported similar success, describing Sunday as “shaping up to be another epic day,” with all lifts operational and most slopes well-groomed. Although some areas had thinner coverage, the overall conditions were favorable for skiing enthusiasts.
Meanwhile, club skifields Temple Basin and Mt Cheeseman remain closed, awaiting additional snowfall before they can open for the season.
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