Snow on the ground, snow in the forecast.

Jul 16, 2025, 4:54 AM•whakapapa

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Kia ora -,

It’s here — our first real look-in.

Overnight, a "conservative" 20cm settled up high, and for the first time this season, snow has not only reached but also held at the base area.

It’s a much-needed shift — and from here, we’re building.

After weeks of weather systems stalling across the Tasman, things are finally moving in our favour. The westerly doors are open, and colder air is drawing up from the Antarctic freezer, south of Hobart. Patterns are evolving and temperatures are dropping. And even when it’s not snowing, it’s now less likely to be rain.

Tonight we’re locked in for a strong run of snowmaking — top to bottom — the first proper opportunity in a little while. What we make will help lock in last night’s natural snow, laying the groundwork for a base we can finally build from.

So far this season, over 75,000 cubic metres of snow has been made. On the Express, more than half of that has held — a small but significant win in a season where a lot of the early efforts were lost to rain.

There’s 10cm more in the forecast over the next two days. The lower slopes are still a bit wet, but crucially — they’re holding. And temperatures are finally on our side.

If the coming days deliver on their promise, we’ll be well on our way to “turning the place into a big old iceblock.”

Looking ahead, upper mountain skiing is tracking toward late July, with the Delta chair and Valley T-bar lined up as the first cabs off the rank. Once the weather settles, a groomer will head up from Hut Flat to push out the "whales" and shape the trails off the Delta. The whales on the Express will stay protected for now — we won’t risk losing them until conditions are reliably cold.

Next week is looking more stable, with real potential to keep building momentum.

Winter’s arriving. Slowly, but surely — and straight from the Antarctic freezer.

Planning Your Visit

The mountain environment can change quickly — so a little planning goes a long way.

Check the daily lift status, weather updates, and what to wear before you arrive. If it’s your first time up, we’ve got beginner tips, gear guides, and local accommodation options to help you feel prepared.

To save time on the day, you can also collect your pass early from one of our Click & Collect locations: Auckland (Snowcentre), Taupō (Gordons), National Park (SkiBiz), Ohakune (TCB), or Wellington (Gordons). On-mountain pickup is also available.

More info here: whakapapa.com/plan-ahead and here: whakapapa.com/firsttime-ski-and-snowboard

Thanks for being part of Ngā Whakapapa.

If there’s something you’d love to see more of this season — on the mountain or in your inbox — we’d love to hear from you. Just hit reply and let us know.

Hei konā mai,
The Whakapapa Team

whakapapa.com | #NgāWhakapapa #MagicMtRuapehu #MagicMountain

Our mailing address is:
Top of Bruce Road, Whakapapa Ski Area, Mt Ruapehu

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