Mt Hutt to Open for Skiing Earlier than Ever This Year

Mt Hutt, New Zealand, May 10, 2025 – Mt Hutt is set to open its ski season earlier than in the past 16 years, with the debut scheduled for Saturday, May 31. This announcement comes as the region recently experienced significant snowfall, enhancing conditions for winter sports.

If weather conditions permit, the ski area will continue operations on June 1 and June 2, before resuming normal operations with a seven-day schedule starting June 14. These early openings have caused excitement among both locals and visitors.

Recent heavy snowfalls particularly affected the area from May 2 to 4, where Mt Hutt recorded around 1.2 meters (approximately 4 feet) of new snow. This is a remarkable statistic for early May, as historical averages typically show only about 5 centimeters (2 inches) of snowfall during this time.

The mountain’s snow base is now reported at about 1.8 meters (71 inches) at the summit, with lower elevations seeing 50 centimeters (20 inches). Wind redistributions have created drifts surpassing 2 meters (79 inches) in certain areas. Such snowfall levels are rare at this time of year, leading to speculation about an exceptional winter season.

Juliet Speedy, a senior reporter from Three News, recently visited and even enjoyed a run on the slopes, marking a positive start to the ski season preparations. The excitement around the early opening hints at a promising ski year ahead.

However, the same weather system that benefited Mt Hutt also caused havoc across other regions in New Zealand. Severe weather in late April led to a state of emergency in some areas due to flooding and strong winds that disrupted power and travel. Nevertheless, Mt Hutt plans to capitalize on the recent snowfall to attract skiers and snowboarders eager for winter sports.

Officials have already begun clearing snow from lift zones and conducting pre-season safety checks to ensure operations can commence smoothly for the anticipated early-opening weekend.