The 2021 NZ ski season is upon us, and opening dates are being revealed, and changed. Who’s opening and when?
The Race to the Start!
As you might know, each year there is a race to open. Mt Ruapehu spends weeks building snow piles with their snow factory, to traditionally open Happy Valley for Queens Birthday weekend. However the main mountains will be open progressively over the next few weeks as snow and weather allows. This year the small Canterbury club field, Hanmer Springs, opened on June 4 for 3 days, before needing to close for more snow. But, pretty reliably Mt Hutt is due to open, on June 11, and we’re going to call that (in our opinion) the first ski area to (fully) open for the season! And what an amazing start it might be, more on that later.
Why the “Race”?
On one level it’s simple, the brag factor of being first open. But actually, after 8 months of no skiing, there is a very determined group of skiers and riders that need their early season fix! I mean, 8 months without snow, of course you want it!
So, Who was first in 2021?
#1? Yes, Hanmer Springs opened first for 2021 on June 4, for 3 days. It was a limited opening and then it rained. Bum! Closed until further snow, but good effort!
#2? Happy Valley. After weeks of snow making and stockpiling they pushed it around and opened for Queens Birthday for a beginner audience.
#3 or #1? Mt Hutt opens Friday June 11 with a brand new 8 seater chair, and a staggering amount of snow after last week’s storm! Without question this is the first (continuous) ski area opening for 2021 season, so we’re giving them the crown! More on their opening to come, and we’ll be up there Friday.
#4, would have gone to Cardrona, but they have pushed back now until Friday June 18 due to needing a little more snow.
At this point in time, Canterbury in general is looking good to very good (Mt Hutt) but the last big storm essentially bypassed the rest of NZ, so they are still in very early season mode. That can change quickly, so keep an eye on the forecast!
OK, onto the rest, here are the opening dates for all ski areas in New Zealand for 2021! We'll update as they come to hand.
Mt Ruapehu Ski Season Dates 2021
Happy Valley Ski Season Dates 2021
- Opening date: 05 June 2021
- Closing date: 04 October 2021
Whakapapa Ski Area Season Dates 2021
- Opening date: 03 July 2021
- Closing date: 25 October 2021
Turoa Ski Area Season Dates 2021
- Opening date: 03 July 2021
- Closing date: 25 October 2021
Queenstown Ski Season Dates 2021
Coronet Peak Ski Season Dates 2021
- Opening date: 19 June 2021
- Closing date: 26 September 2021
The Remarkables Ski Season Dates 2021
- Opening date: 04 July 2021
- Closing date: 27 September 2021
Wanaka Ski Season Dates 2021
Cardrona Alpine Resort Ski Season Dates 2021
- Opening date: 12 June 2021 (delayed to June 18 now)
- Closing date: 17 October 2021
Treble Cone Ski Season Dates 2021
- Opening date: 26 June 2021
- Closing date: 26 September 2021
Canterbury Season Dates 2021
Mt Hutt Ski Season Dates 2021
- Opening date: 11 June 2021
- Closing date: 17 October 2021
Porters Ski Area Season Dates 2021
- Opening date: 26 June 2021
- Closing date: 10 October 2021
Broken River Ski Area Season Dates 2021
- Opening date: 9 July 2021
- Closing date: Early October 2021
Craigieburn Valley Ski Area Season Dates 2021
- Opening date: 17 July 2021
Mt Cheeseman Ski Area Season Dates 2021
- Opening date: 3 July 2021
Mt Olympus Ski Area Season Dates 2021
- Opening date: Early July 2021
- Closing date: Early October 2021
Temple Basin Ski Area Season Dates 2021
- Opening date: 24 July 2021
- Closing date: 26 September 2021 (depending on snow)
South Canterbury & Mackenzie Ski Season Dates 2021
Fox Peak Ski Area Season Dates 2021
- Opening date: June/July 2021 (depending on snow)
- Closing date: Early October 2021 (depending on snow
Mt Dobson Ski Season Dates 2021
- Opening date: 2 July 2021
Roundhill Ski Area Season Dates 2021
- Opening date: 2 July 2021
- Closing date: 18 September 2021
Ohau Snow Fields Season Dates 2021
- Opening date: 3 July 2021
- Closing date: 10 October 2021
North Canterbury & Nelson Ski Season Dates 2021
Rainbow Ski Area Season Dates 2021
- Opening date: 10 July 2021
- Closing date: 10 October 2021
Hanmer Springs Ski Area Season Dates 2021
- Opening date: Early July 2021 (but they smashed this and opened briefly on June 4 for 3 days)
Mt Lyford Ski Season Dates 2021
- Opening date: 20 June 2021 (snow dependent)
OK, so that's an approximate list of the opening dates for ski areas in New Zealand in 2021. We're up at Mt Hutt this Friday, and will report back. Bring on 2021!