Leaning into a shiny new season at Ohau Snowfields. Photo: P.M.Fadden
Report from 21-22 June, 2025
The ‘hoots’ and ‘hollers’ you’ve been hearing on the breeze are because Ohau Snowfields, New Zealand is open for skiing and snowboarding.
The weekend just past offered-up all that is classic and good about shredding the Southern Alps of New Zealand, and Ohau especially.
Here’s to fresh starts. Photo: P.M.Fadden
Saturday was picture-frame perfect under full sun, little to no wind, and cold morning air.
Powder pockets, drifted into shadowed facets were chalk-dry. And below that, the early season snowfalls have done well to coat the mountain sides in a lovely base layer.
This is New Zealand, so the coin could indeed flip at the flick of a finger. And Ohau is no exception. But base upon what’s already in place, absolutely there’s promise in what’s ahead.
Panorama paid-for by bootpack (and worth every step). Photo: P.M.Fadden
Sunday then teased a taste of what fast-change could look and feel like.
Heady cloud bullied in from the West. Wind snapped through like slingshot, yet Ohau snow conditions remained positively ripp-able.
Super surface is textured, almost granual; the stuff an edge can really lay into.
‘Raw’ and ‘Radical pretty well sum up the kiwi snow scene. Photo: P.M.Fadden
Naturally, when comes cloud so goes sun. But honestly, if the wind hadn’t paused the proceedings Sunday may have been the darling of the weekend.
Oh well, we have all season ahead to see how Ohau’s climate-Jenga stacks-up.
For the moment, it’s all good 🙂
Prime–but unharvested–pickins’ (wink-wink) Photo: P.M.Fadden
Snow Science 101. Photo: P.M.Fadden
Reflection upon all that is classic and good at Ohau Snowfields. Photo: P.M.Fadden