Last Minute Storm Helps New Zealand Ski Area Host Surprise Opening

Originally posted on Powder | By Izzy Lidsky | Last updated Sep 10, 2025 3:22 PM ET

Several New Zealand resorts had called it for the 2025 winter season due to a lack of snow, including Temple Basin, Mt. Cheeseman, and Rainbow Ski Area.

However, soon after these announcements were made, a storm hit New Zealand's South Island. Temple Basin ski area was the first to have its prayers answered and got roughly a foot and a half of snow last week, allowing them to open all three lifts over this past weekend.

Then, on Tuesday, September 9, Mt. Cheeseman announced that following the most recent storm, they would be able to open for the coming weekend.

OpenSnow is reporting 5 inches of new snowfall over the last five days for Mt. Cheeseman and 3 inches in the last 24 hours. The ski area is expected to see another inch on Wednesday and another 3 inches on Thursday.

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Mt. Cheeseman will open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (September 12-14) with limited operations.

Gear rentals will be available; however, the mountain will not be running any ski lessons. Mt. Cheeseman warns that even with new snow, conditions are thin.

The upper and mid-mountain will provide far better skiing, the ski area noted, so guests are encouraged to go up and stay up unless they need to descend to the base for bathroom or drink stops. Depending on how the snow holds, a short walk down to the base may be required. The mountain's Café will be operating with limited stock, so guests can also bring food and eat it in the Daylodge.

Skiers can pick up their lift tickets and season passes from the ticket office and Café, and all other passes, including ski sale and Chill passes, are welcome to be used over the weekend. Single rides will also be available for $25.

Mt. Cheeseman also reminds folks to "Please be patient and kind as we do not have the full resources we would normally have and things might take a little longer than usual."

Conditions may continue to be variable, so guests are encouraged to keep an eye on the mountain report as well.

This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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