2026 New Zealand Ski Season Dates (updated)

What is the best time to ski in New Zealand?

These are the most up-to-date 2026 New Zealand ski season dates, which may change depending on snow conditions.

2026 New Zealand Ski Season Dates

In general, the ski season runs from June to mid-October, though this may vary widely depending on the ski field.

Keep an eye on this page for updates to the ski fields that have not yet announced their dates.

South Island Ski & Snow Season 2026

Queenstown Ski Season Dates 2026

The Remarkables Ski Season Dates 2026

Opening date: 13 June 2026

Closing date: 11 October 2026

Coronet Peak Ski Season Dates 2026

Opening date: 13 June 2026

Closing date: 4 October 2026

Wanaka Season Dates 2026

Cardrona Alpine Resort Ski Season Dates 2026

Opening date: 13 June 2026

Closing date: 11 October 2026

Treble Cone Season Dates 2026

Opening date: 27 June 2026

Closing date: 27 September 2026

Canterbury Season Dates 2026

Mt Hutt Season Dates 2026

Opening date: 12 June 2026

Closing date: 11 October 2026

North Island Ski & Snow Season 2026

Mt Ruapehu Ski Areas Season Dates 2026

Happy Valley Ski Field Ski Season Dates 2026

Opening date: 27 June 2026

Closing date: 27 September 2026

Whakapapa Ski Area Ski Season Dates 2026

Opening date: 27 June 2026

Closing date: 11 October 2026

Turoa Ski Field Ski Season Dates 2026

Opening date: 27 June 2026

Closing date: 11 October 2026

Opening Dates for South Island Club Ski Fields 2026

Canterbury Ski Season Dates 2026

Mt Dobson Ski Season Dates 2026

Opening date: July School Holidays 2026

Mt Lyford Ski Season Dates 2026

Opening date: 27 June 2026

Ohau Snow Fields Ski Season Dates 2026

Opening date: 20 June 2026

Closing date: 27 September 2026

Porters Ski Area Ski Season Dates 2026

Opening date: 26 June 2026

Closing date: 20 September 2026

Roundhill Ski Area Ski Season Dates 2026

Opening date: Late June 2026

Closing date: Late September 2026

Broken River Ski Area Ski Season Dates 2026

Opening date: August 2026

Closing date: Early October 2026

Craigieburn Valley Ski Area Ski Season Dates 2026

Opening date: 8 August 2026

Mt Cheeseman Ski Area Ski Season Dates 2026

Opening date: 8 August 2026

Mt Olympus Ski Area Ski Season Dates 2026

Opening date: 25 July 2026

Closing date: Early October 2026

Fox Peak Ski Area Ski Season Dates 2026

Opening date: June/July 2026 (depending on snow)

Closing date: Early October 2026 (depending on snow)

Nelson Lakes Ski Season Dates 2026

Rainbow Ski Area Ski Season Dates 2026

Opening date: Mid-July 2026

Closing date: Early September 2026

Hanmer Springs Season Dates 2026

Hanmer Springs Ski Area Ski Season Dates 2026

Opening date: Mid-June 2026

Arthurs Pass Season Dates 2026

Temple Basin Ski Area Ski Season Dates 2026

Opening date: Mid-July 2026 (depending on snow)

Closing date: Late September 2026 (depending on snow)

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Notes

Most ski fields with set opening and closing dates have snowmaking capabilities to guarantee good snow cover even when the conditions are not perfect. However, even these cannot create snow when the weather is too warm.

Keep an eye on this page for future updates, especially as the ski season approaches! The final 2026 New Zealand ski season dates will be announced closer to each ski field’s opening.

Is there snow skiing in New Zealand?

The South Island is home to three main skiing regions; Queenstown plays host to The Remarkables and Coronet Peak, Wanaka boasts Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone and Christchurch/Canterbury is home to Mt Hutt Ski Area. Expect world-class ski schools, accommodation close to the ski fields with transport from door to slope and value for money ski deals covering the essentials. In the North Island, ski on an active volcano at Mt Ruapehu, New Zealand’s largest commercial ski field – now that’s something to write home about!

Where is best skiing in New Zealand?

Queenstown is home to two of the best ski fields in the south, The Remarkables and Coronet Peak. The magnificence of The Remarkables goes without saying. Craggy peaks dot the landscape, narrow chutes and off-piste powder await, and three sunny wide open bowls aim to please the most intrepid skier. Coronet Peak attracts night owls and early risers with its Night Skiing and Fast Tracks options, which allow skiers extended snow-time. Wanaka is home to two of the best ski fields in the south, Cardrona Alpine Resort is leading the way with infrastructure offering New Zealand’s first ever gondola, Cardrona can be easily accessed from Queenstown. Cardrona is New Zealand’s “fun and friendly” family mountain, as its famous for its learner-friendly slopes and dedicated kids’ centres. Treble Cone is the South Island’s largest ski area at 550 ha. It has the longest vertical rise in the Southern Lakes (705 m), 4km-intermediate runs, more intermediate and advanced terrains than any other resort in the south, and delivers on views, with Lake Wanaka and Mt Aspiring both within sight.

What is the biggest ski resort in New Zealand?

Cardrona Alpine Resort is the South Island’s largest ski area at 900 ha. In winter 2025, Cardrona opened Soho Basin! A brand new 6-seater detachable Doppelmayr chairlift was installed. Soho is just behind the top of McDougall’s Chondola and Captain’s Express. It is awesome for intermediate to advanced skiers and riders, and if you’re familiar with Cardrona’s terrain already, think of it a lot like Captain’s; fun and playful with both groomed runs and off-piste areas. In terms of total ski slope length, Coronet Peak and Cardrona Alpine Resort both offer 40 km of trails, Treble Cone follows with 22 km and The Remarkables has 20 km.