New Zealand Snowboard Resorts Push Back Opening Dates

mike lewis

June 17 2008
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5 comments

While snow conditions were looking epic for antipodean shreds a few weeks ago, temperatures have spiked and opening dates for resorts down under are yo-yoing across the calendar. Many dates had been moved up due to plentiful early-season snowfall and frosty temperatures, but it seems Mother Nature is proving her fickle ways with a bit of an Indian Summer (would it be a Maori summer?).

In the last few days, The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, and Snow Park have canceled their opening dates until further notice.

While colder weather is expected by mid week, it’s unlikely to deliver enough snow or snowmaking conditions to open on schedule says The Remarkables Manager Ross Lawrence.

“We’re prepped and ready to go as soon as nature plays the game. We’re conducting our staff training and induction sessions this week and everyone’s motivated and ready to go. As soon as there’s snow, we’ll be on it.”

5 Comments For This Post

Blair Says:
June 17th, 2008 at 1:02 pm

Just like to inform you that the New Zealand natives are not Aborigine, they are Moari. Austrailia is where Aborigine’s are from. Its like saying Canada is the same as USA. Dont insult us kiwis!

Otherwise the “indian summer” is producing epic surfing conditions! Bring on global warming if the surf continues to pump and the water temp actually is bearable!

Cheers and stay stoked!

mike lewis Says:
June 17th, 2008 at 1:09 pm

Sorry for any insult Blair. I actually heard about the warm spell from an Australian and wrote the story as such until I could only find NZ resorts that had pushed back dates. I missed this and appreciate you catching it! Consider it updated and enjoy the surf - hopefully you’ll get the best of both seasons here in the coming weeks.

Paul Says:
June 17th, 2008 at 4:04 pm

Waiting for the snow to arrive is never fun, but hey at least you Mt. Hutt and Mt. Lyford to ski.

Hopefully more resorts will open soon, but in the meantime check out http://www.onthesnow.co.nz/ to know what the current conditions are at New Zealand ski areas.