New Zealand enduring a miserable snow season | Image

The 2025 New Zealand ski season is off to one of its slowest starts in recent memory. After two solid snowfalls in early June, much of the South Island has been left with thin coverage and bare patches. July and August are usually the heart of the Southern Hemisphere’s winter, but this year, the snow has been scarce.

High-elevation resorts have managed to keep a few runs open thanks to colder temperatures and steady snowmaking. Smaller and lower-elevation ski fields without major snowmaking systems have been hit especially hard, leaving many slopes closed well into the season.

Mount Cheeseman webcam showing limited snow coverage on August 8, 2025 | Image: Mount Cheeseman Facebook

#3 Mount Cheeseman Ski Resort Struggles to Open
A few hours from Christchurch, Mount Cheeseman ski resort is known for its laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere. This winter, however, the New Zealand snow drought has kept the mountain from opening at all. Large stretches of grass have replaced white runs, leaving locals and visitors disappointed during what should be prime skiing weeks.

#2 A Small Boost at The Remarkables
A much-needed snowstorm arrived on the South Island over the weekend, dropping 12 centimeters of fresh snow at The Remarkables ski resort since August 6. The new snow has covered some bare terrain and given skiers and riders a taste of soft turns. The resort’s social media was filled with happy faces celebrating the rare powder day, bringing a spark of optimism to the struggling NZ ski season 2025.

Snowboarders riding at Thredbo with strong season snow totals | Image: Thredbo Resort

#1 Australia’s Thredbo Thrives
While New Zealand has been battling dry slopes, Australia tells a different story. Thredbo ski resort in New South Wales has already recorded 195 centimeters of snowfall this season, surpassing its annual average of 190 centimeters. With a solid base in place, the resort is set to keep its lifts spinning well into September, standing in sharp contrast to the challenging South Island ski conditions.

New Zealand snow forecast showing potential late-season storm totals | Image: Opensnow

The Bottom Line

The New Zealand ski season 2025 has been one of the driest in years, forcing some ski fields to remain closed and leaving eager snow enthusiasts waiting. There is still hope, though. Forecasts from Opensnow suggest South Island resorts could see as much as 73 centimeters of new snow in the next 10 days, with Mt Hutt expecting the most. If the weather delivers, it could turn the season around just in time for late-winter adventures.