New Zealand Ski Area Plans To Open For The Season Later This Month

The addition of a new innovative snowmaking system will allow for a limited opening later this month at one New Zealand ski resort.

New Zealand’s ski season started surprisingly early. Thanks to measurable snowfall in April, one ski area, Hanmer Springs, was able to open up. While that opening was short-lived, it won’t be too long until the 2026 ski season officially begins for the Kiwis. While most mountains open in June, one is aspiring to open a small portion of the mountain later this month. Another will be making snow to open for snow play (a.k.a. sledders and rambunctious snowball throwers) later this month.

Coronet Peak

Thanks to the addition of a new Snow Factory machine, Coronet Peak is eyeing an earlier-than-usual opening. This machine allows them to make snow at above-average temperatures, eliminating uncertainty about whether they’ll be ready for opening day. However, the machine only covers a small portion of the mountain. This means that they’ll be able to open a beginner carpet for snowplay and beginners. In response to someone asking them to put a few rails in there, Coronet Peak responded with a 👀, which typically means they’re at least considering it.

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This offseason, Coronet Peak has made a couple of major upgrades. The bottom knoll in the Greengates Express area has been smoothed out, resulting in an easier transition to the lift. At the top of the Greengates chairlift, they’ve created two smoothed-out areas that will mark the start of their new intermediate terrain park. Additionally, the Kaiser slope (formerly a terrain park) will be converted into a beginner learning zone. Outside the Snow Factory, Coronet Peak added more snow guns to improve their output. They also introduced a new trail map (see below).

Whakapapa

Up on the North Island, one of the three ski fields on Mt. Ruapehu is aiming to open in a few weeks. Thanks to their Snow Factory machine, the plan is to open up a small portion of the mountain on May 30th for sightseeing and snow play. This will include gondola rides, which are the focus of operations in June. The ski season typically begins in earnest on July 4th.

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Upgrades during the 2025-26 offseason include new snowmaking guns. This will provide additional coverage to the Rock Garden and Happy Valley terrain zones.