Club skifields slashing operations to survive 2026, as resorts make snow and grow

Sunday, 24 May 2026

Mt Cheeseman manager Cam Lill says the club must adapt to survival mode after a brutal 2025 season left the field open for just two days.

South Island club skifields are cutting operating days, staff and even lessons and gear hire for the 2026 winter season, after last year proved one of the worst on record.

It’s a far cry from commercial operators, which are investing millions in facilities and machines that can make snow in up to 20C, while banking on Australian tourists despite fuel crisis uncertainty.

Last winter, Mt Cheeseman in Canterbury operated for two days. Broken River and Craigieburn scraped through with patchy cover before shutting abruptly mid-September. Rainbow Ski Area in Marlborough did not open.

Those clubs are preparing for another uncertain season with drastic strategies.

Mt Cheeseman, near Castle Hill, has cut its full time staff from 16 to nine ahead of its July 17 opening. It will only open four days a week (Thursday to Sunday) and has dropped its ski hire and lessons entirely.

Mt Cheeseman is cutting back operations from seven days a week to four.

“If we keep doing the same over and over again, and don’t make changes, the club and ski area will cease to exist,” ski area manager Cam Lill said.

Craigieburn Valley, which opens July 18, will also stay closed on Mondays and Tuesdays - though president Edward Griffiths said they’ll return to seven-day operations if snow conditions allow.

“It was a big decision which we ummed and ahhed about for a while. It’s just easier to start the season with two days closed, then if there’s lots of snow, increase,” he said.

Broken River president Rory Jones, whose field is turning to more volunteer labour and creative snow-retention tactics for the 2026 season.

Broken River is cutting one staff member, but training more volunteers to run tow lines, food service and the bar. President Rory Jones said the field is installing snow fencing to accumulate snow along tow lines and weaving old tow ropes into protective matting for rocky terrain.

Rainbow Ski Area has switched to a club model, operating only Saturdays and Sundays with a small core team and trained volunteers. Club members can earn ski days for every four hours of volunteering.

“It’s a model that will provide security for Rainbow to stay operational for years, practical, community-driven, and focused on making the most of the snow when it arrives,” they wrote on their Facebook.

A strong El Niño weather pattern looming over the South Island threatens a drier spring for the south.

“Same Rainbow feel. Just a smarter way of running it.”

The season has kicked off earlier than usual. Hanmer Springs took advantage of a surprise April snowfall to open on April 24 – the country’s earliest opening.

Coronet Peak in Queenstown will follow on May 29, while most major commercial fields including The Remarkables (Queenstown), Cardrona (Central Otago) and Mt Hutt (Canterbury) target mid-June openings.

Craigieburn’s Griffiths is optimistic El Niño could help rather than hinder Canterbury fields.

The forecast pattern could bring increased rainfall to western-facing areas of the South Island, but reduced rainfall for much of the east.

“The worst thing is when it rains and washes the snow away, whereas this sounds a lot colder,” Griffiths said. He’s hoping the last couple of years were just a “blip”.

Fresh powder in sub 20C and ‘time of growth’

While club fields tighten their belts and hope for the best, NZSki – which operates Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt – is investing in three major projects over summer alongside three new groomers and equipment upgrades.

Coronet Peak has invested $2.5m in a “snow factory” that can produce snow in temperatures up to 20C.

The South Island’s first machine of its kind operates 24/7 and has produced 230 cubic metres daily ahead of the field’s opening on Friday (May 29) – about two weeks earlier than 2025.

NZ Ski chief executive Paul Anderson, who says their multi-million dollar tech investment ensures they can guarantee snow cover “regardless of what Mother Nature throws at us.”

“The snow factory is a bit of an insurance policy for us,” said chief executive Paul Anderson. “We can guarantee [snow cover] regardless of what Mother Nature throws at us.”

He’s “relaxed” about the forecast. “El Niño can be really good for south-west streams, which is fantastic for Queenstown.”

The Remarkables has rebuilt its maintenance workshop for $4m, added 200 more seats in a restaurant expansion costing $3m, and expanded the beginners slope and terrain park.

“I guess it would be fair to say we’re expanding,” said Remarkables ski area manager Nigel Kerr. “It feels like a time of growth.”

The new $2.5 million 'snow factory' at Coronet Peak can produce snow in temperatures up to 20C, operating 24 hours a day to secure a May 29 opening.

Mt Hutt has updated its snow making fleet to “take every opportunity to make snow”.

However, there is one potential fly in the ointment. The Middle East fuel crisis is creating booking uncertainty for Australian tourists – a key market that makes up a significant portion of winter visitors.

“We’re seeing a little bit of nervousness to book. When customers are hearing about airlines reducing services, understandably that leaves a bit of uncertainty,” Anderson said.

Bookings are flat year-on-year compared to last season’s 32% increase in Australian visitors, Anderson said.

“We’re talking to Tourism New Zealand to take that uncertainty away and continue to promote the ski option in Australia all the way through winter, rather than relying on pre-booking.”

The company has expanded its four-wheel-drive bus fleet in Queenstown with two new vehicles to encourage carpooling.