New Zealand — This winter was a mixed bag in New Zealand, especially on the North Island. The ski fields on Mt. Ruapehu tend to get all the headlines, but there are some smaller ski areas on the North Island, too.
One example is Manganui Ski Area, which the Stratford Mountain Club operates. The ski field receives an average of 300 cm (roughly 118 inches) of snow each winter and has a vertical drop of 420 meters (approximately 1378 feet). Relying only on natural snowfall, it can be the first to open in the country or won’t even operate at all due to a lack of powder. For a long time, it looked like Manganui wouldn’t open this winter.
However, a snowy front led to Manganui opening its lifts for a few days. This week, 15-30 centimeters of fresh snow led Manganui to open its rope tow and t-bar.
The challenge for guests was making it up there. Road crews needed to clear the roads of the snow, leading to a large traffic jam for several hours. They eventually opened the road, allowing skiers to get up finally. However, when guests arrive at the parking lot, they aren’t quite at the ski slopes yet. Previously, a 20-minute walk to the ski field was shortened thanks to the new Manganui Gorge Suspension Bridge. They also have a lift that carries equipment from the car park to the ski area.
Unfortunately, the powdery times didn’t last long. On Thursday, September 19th, the rain returned, potentially closing the lifts for the rest of the 2024 season.
As the adage goes, better late than never!
Image/Video Credits: Manganui Ski Area – Stratford Mountain Club, DC Structures Studio
