Earliest Opening in 16 Years Planned for NZ Ski Resort

The opening will also include June 1 and June 2, conditions permitting. Then, Mt. Hutt will be open on June 7 and June 8 before beginning operations seven days a week on Saturday, June 14.

“Whilst the wild nor'wester over the past couple of days has melted out a fair chunk of our recent snow, we are still enjoying a very respectable base on the main trails,” Mt. Hutt wrote in an update published Friday.

According to the ski resort’s weather web tab, nearly 50 inches of snow have fallen this season so far, establishing a solid base.

Locals, unsurprisingly, are stoked about the prospect of clicking into their skis earlier than usual.

“Best news ever!” read one comment beneath Mt. Hutt’s social media post.

“Yassss team!!!” read another.

Elsewhere in the country, those eagerly awaiting their first chairlift rides will need to wait a bit longer.

Cardrona, another New Zealand ski resort, has a scheduled opening date of June 14, as does The Remarkables. Treblecone, meanwhile, is eyeing June 27.

In South America, the start of the ski season is still a ways off. Two major Chilean snowsports destinations—Valle Nevado and Portillo—have announced plans to fire up the chairlifts in late June.
 
The news comes as North America’s ski season is winding down fast. Just a few ski resorts remain open on the continent, although some destinations, like Palisades Tahoe and Mammoth Mountain, plan to stay open through the end of May or into early June.

Our advice? Go out and get it while you still can. Summer always feels longer than it should.