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This week in the Snow - July 30, 2020
Image: Travis Morris at Mt Lyford

Happy Thursday, the week is nearly over! And what a week it was, and while sadly there was no appreciable snow, there has been some pretty stunning weather around the country and some great mid-week skiing!

Our Site, Snow.NZ

This week, I want to firstly talk about our site, and app … We run on the smell of an oily rag. We have no financial contribution from ski areas or the industry, and this year advertising is pretty much zero, so it’s a labour of love! As a result, this year we’ve been slower than usual maybe to fix problems, and we’ve had a few, but we’re getting there!

If you use our app we've had feedback that it's slow to load, but that's about to change! It’s in approvals in both iOS and Android for a new version, its WAY WAY faster. Once that is updated we’ll start rolling out some enhancements, look for them soon.

We’re also keen to “spread the message”, the snow message that is. Do you, or someone you know run a site that would like to include snow reports? We can help with that, check it out! We now have a snow report widget for your site

We really appreciate your support, and if you've got suggestions, please do fire them through! 

So then, the week that’s been …

  • At Ruapehu they got the Valley T-Bar operating last weekend, Knoll Ridge is now open also, and by all accounts the new parking system worked nicely. Awesome, given they reported 13,000 people visited the mountain in the weekend!
  • Rainbow opened and they offered $40 adult day passes, sweet!
  • Mt Lyford had a busy day of 50+ cars last Saturday (by the looks of it), yep, smaller ski areas rock!
  • Broken River is now open
  • The Remarkables is now weekends only

Opening soon …

While all the larger to medium sized commercial areas are open, the smaller ski areas are struggling a bit with snow, but they are close! One snow fall away currently for the likes of Mt Cheeseman, Craigieburn, Olympus, Temple Basin, Fox Peak , who have we missed?

The Weather, and Snow?

Hmm, we can’t sugar coat this, so far it’s not looking that flash for the next few days. Weather kicks in Friday/Saturday at some ski areas, possibly bringing snow. So, what’s up? Fair to say, we’re in a somewhat unpredictable pattern right now, so take the following with healthy grain of salt, and check forecast daily!

  • Ruapehu. Looking pretty breezy Saturday, easing Sunday, unsettled on Monday, looking good Tuesday and maybe Wednesday, then maybe some snow moving in Thursday.  Best days, Tuesday, and maybe Wednesday
  • Canterbury. Friday and Saturday, looking a tad windy. Easing Sunday, then looking good Monday, Tuesday. Weather starts kicking back in Wednesday potentially with the end of the week looking quite untidy. Best days to ski, probably Monday, Tuesday.
  • The Mackenzie. We’re looking at a N/NW pattern for the next week, stronger over the weekend but getting lighter early in the week, with snow showers near the end. Best days to ski, Sunday thru Tuesday, Monday probably the best.
  • Wanaka and Queenstown. Like everywhere, it’s looking a bit untidy Saturday/Sunday with wind, rain and hopefully snow, then very unsettled weather for the remainder of the  week with snow kicking on from Wednesday from Tuesday. We’re not going to call a best day, check the forecast!

Industry Happenings?

  • Big news, the new Sugar Bowl lift at the Remarkables opens this Saturday 1st August!
  • We’re pleased to report that new parking system at Ruapehu appears to have gone well

Deal of the week?

I’m sure we had a deal, can’t find it, so we’ll look ahead. If you live in Christchurch, the Christchurch Adventure Park released their (sharp new) early bird summer pricing today, $699 for 6 months, closes Aug 1. I was out riding today, trails were truly mint (after being truly not mint last week!)!

This week’s pick on the snow?

Treble Cone is the candidate for the most snow in the next few days, so it’s the place to be. What day? Anyone’s guess!

Until next week, enjoy the turns! 

Image: Mt Lyford by Travis Morris.  Looking pretty nice, and not too busy for a Saturday!