Snowstorm delivers at Canterbury’s Mt Hutt

An overnight snowstorm has delivered 35cm of snow to Canterbury’s Mt Hutt ski area – with more snow expected int he lead up to its 2016 ski season opening on 10th June.

The mountain’s grooming staff are “buzzing” about the snowfall, described by Ski Area Manager James McKenzie as “a bit sticky but absolutely perfect for our initial base layer.”

The north-easterly snowstorm delivered snow several hundred metres below the bottom of the ski area’s lowest chair lift and created some deep drifts on the access road.

Two snow groomers were operating throughout the night and into the morning to pack down the snow on trails and consolidate the mountain’s snow base, now averaging around 45cm on main trails.

A very happy McKenzie says a lack of wind has resulted in “very even coverage” across the mountain. The access road is currently closed as snow safety officers are launching explosive rockets to stabilise the new snow in the bluffs above the upper part of the road.

McKenzie explains “this timing of the new snow couldn’t have been better as most of our seasonal staff are arriving in Methven for sign-up and training this Thursday.

“There’s a growing real sense of excitement in Methven as everyone’s looking up at the mountain when we have occasional clearances in the weather, and seeing it looking stunning.

“The forecast’s looking quite snowy over the next few days so we’re tracking really well towards our scheduled opening on June 10.”

Passes, lessons and rentals can all be booked at www.nzski.com which also features detailed daily updates and live webcams showing snow and weather conditions.

Image: A snow groomer pushes new snow up Fascination trail at Canterbury’s Mt Hutt. Image courtesy of Blair James.

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