Hanmer Springs Ski Area has announced an impromptu early-season opening today, April 24, 2026 — weeks ahead of the field’s typical late-June kickoff — after a storm dumped a ton of snow on Mount Saint Patrick in the Canterbury high country this week.
In the upper areas, the resort’s total April snowfall is already at 81 inches. The Amuri Ski Club, the volunteer-run nonprofit that has operated the field since 1957, confirmed lifts would be spinning today after a morning snow assessment gave the green light on Instagram.
Mountain Facts
Hanmer Springs Ski Area is located on Mount Saint Patrick in New Zealand’s South Island, approximately 17 km from the alpine resort village of Hanmer Springs and 135 km from Christchurch.
- Summit Elevation: 5,804 ft
- Base Elevation: 4,786 ft
- Vertical Drop: 1,017 ft
- Skiable Terrain: 128 acres
- Lifts: 3 — including New Zealand’s longest Poma lift (over 800 m), a nutcracker rope tow, and a fixed-grip beginners tow
- Terrain Breakdown: 10% beginner / 60% intermediate / 30% advanced
- Average Annual Snowfall: 59 inches
- Established: 1957
Who knows if the early season start will hold until more snow arrives, but at least someone is getting some turns down south as the winter closes down up here!
