4 July 2025
We’re a few weeks into the 2025 ski season in New Zealand, and if you’re heading to the South Island, you’ve likely already had a decent taste of winter. New Zealand snow conditions 2025 for the South are looking good – great, even, while the North Island is still waiting for those colder temperatures to settle in.
South Island snow report, A cracking start
Winter snow has arrived in the South Island, with a decent snow dump in late May, followed by another solid fall in June. Just this week, most major ski fields picked up 10-15cm of fresh snow – just in time for the school holidays.
Coronet Peak opened with its best early-season snow coverage since 2022, while Mt Hutt is arguably the standout so far. With a snow base between 1 and 1.4 metres, Mt Hutt is currently offering some of the best skiing in New Zealand.
The momentum hasn’t stopped there. Club ski fields like Porters, Roundhill, Ōhau, and Mt Dobson have also opened and reported solid snow totals. All signs point to a strong season ahead for the South.
North Island snow update, A slow but expected start
Up on Mt Ruapehu, both Whakapapa and Tūroa Ski Area are officially open. At the moment, most of the snow is man-made, with natural snowfall limited by warm nor’westers and a few too many tropical systems recently rolling through.
That said, this isn’t unusual. The best snow conditions in the North Island often arrive from mid-July onwards. In fact, some of the best spring skiing in New Zealand happens up here – so don’t rule it out just yet.
Long-term forecasts?
Still uncertain. But Earth Science New Zealand and NIWA are monitoring closely. For now, keep an eye on updates.
Here’s their Seasonal Outlook for July – September:
So far the season is better than expected!
Earlier predictions, hinted at a slow start, but the 2025 ski season in New Zealand is proving otherwise – especially in the South Island. With strong early snow conditions and colder weather on the horizon, it’s shaping up to be a possible great winter.
The North Island may be behind, but it’s got time to catch up. And as any seasoned skier will tell you, even a light snow day beats sitting at home. Check your local snow report, stay weather-aware, and enjoy the rest of the season.
