Queenstown Lakes ski fields making most of 'winter's encore'

Forget September, one southern ski field is rebranding the first month of spring 'Powtember' this year in reference to the the fresh, fluffy, powder snow that has been delivered in bulk over the last week.

Cardrona Alpine Resort's snow report Monday morning says 21 centimetres of snow has fallen on its slopes in the past 24 hours, on top of 30 centimetres reported in the 24 hours up to Friday lunch-time.

In its words: "Conditions on and off trail are all time".

The resort is calling the spring storm's "winter's encore" - although, winter 2024 even struggled to deliver back-to-back dumps like this.

Closer to Queenstown, at Coronet Peak, the snow conditions are good enough for the ski area to offer a "surprise" night ski this week.

It will be turning the lights on Wednesday evening for what it says "will be a unique chance to carve crisp, wintery snow during the spring twilight".

Across the basin at The Remarkables, the ski team reckon "spring is spoiling" them.

The strong finish to the snow sports season comes off the back of two warning level polar blasts within days of each other.

On Friday snow fell heavy enough in parts of inland Otago to force school closures and shut key highways.

More rain and snow is in the forecast for Monday and overnight, with overnight lows predicted by MetService to drop below zero degrees Celsius this week.

Meanwhile the Crown Range road, closed overnight on Sunday due to snow, was reopened at 7.30am on Monday, with the Queenstown Lakes District Council advising motorists to carry chains.

Adventurers planning trips into alpine backcountry are also being made aware of increased avalanche risk from the spring snow.

Mountain Safety Council chief executive Mike Daisley says back-country skiers, snowboarders and climbers should check the Avalanche Advisory before heading out.

He says at ski areas staff work to manage avalanche risk.

Main image (Facebook/The Remarkables): A 'blue bird powder day above the clouds', The Remarkables, September 14, 2024.