New Zealand Winter: Treble Cone And Ohau Open - SnowBrains

Treble Cone, Lake Wanaka in the backdrop. Credit: Treble Cone

New Zealand June 29 – Treble Cone and Ohau have opened for the season. Regardless of a thin snow cover, many people gathered to enjoy opening day at both fields. At Treble Cone the sun was out and there were barbecues throughout the carpark with the smell of bacon and eggs polluting the air.

The current snow base at Treble Cone is 30 cm (11.8 in) which hasn’t covered much terrain. The Home basin chairlift  was the only lift in operation yesterday as the Saddle Basin does not have enough snow yet. There was only one run open with heavy amounts of traffic but there was still much fun to be had. People were flying around the hill, finding jumps and shaping in others with their friends. It was a true ‘Kiwi’ styled ski day, not much snow but making the most of it.

Ohau Ski Field, Lake Ohau in the backdrop. Credit: Ohau

Ohau had an early opening, the original date was July 29 but with a snow base of 40 cm (15 in) the lifts opened for the season. The blue sky was soaring over Ohau as many joined in on the slopes to welcome winter. It is the first club field to open in NZ and joint fifth overall ski field to open for the 2024 ski season.

Going forward, Treble Cone is expecting a large snowfall over the course of June 30 – July 1. Snow Forecast has predicted roughly 40 cm (15 in) above 1400 metres (4,500 feet). While this suits the upper mountain, the base of Treble Cone sits at 1260 m (4,100 ft). There is potential for the temperatures at the base to drop to below zero but the expectation will be sleet below 1400 m (4,500 ft). Ohau is expected to get 14 cm (5 in), the base sits above 1400 m (4,500 ft) so the snow will stay dry across the whole mountain.

Rainfall Radar July 1 (measured in millimetres). Credit: Metservice

There is snow expected for all ski resorts across the country over the next 3 days. Below is the predicted amounts from Snow Forecast.

Otago Region: 

Coronet Peak – 29 cm (11 in)

Remarkables – 32 cm (12 in) 

Cardrona – 25 cm (9 in) 

Canterbury Region: 

Mt Hutt – 5 cm (1 in) 

Mt Dobson – 4 cm (1 in) 

Mt Lyford – 8 cm (3 in) 

Porters – 8 cm (3 in)

Roundhill – 11 cm (4 in)

Broken river –  13 cm (5 in)

Craigieburn – 13 cm (5 in)

Mt Cheeseman – 11 cm (4 in)

Temple Basin – 31 cm (12 in)

Mt Olympus – 16 cm (6 in)

Fox Peak – 4 cm (1 in)

Nelson Lakes: 

Rainbow – 5 cm (1 in)

Hanmer Springs –  10 cm (3 in)

Tongariro National Park: 

Whakapapa – 10 cm (3 in)

Turoa – 18 cm (7 in) 

The NZ Avalanche Advisory have begun forecasting for the alpine regions. If you are planning on finding some fresh turns in the back-country check their website. There is still limited information due to the seasons slow start.