Fresh Snowfall at Whakapapa Ski Area

Whakapapa Ski Area has picked up around 10-20cm of new snow, giving the mountain a much-needed winter refresh. The best coverage is on the upper slopes, where conditions are steadily improving.

The snowfall comes after a challenging start to the season, with limited terrain available. Groomers are working to prepare more runs, and visitors can expect better skiing and riding in the coming days. With more snow in the forecast through the weekend, Whakapapa is set to edge closer to full winter conditions for the first time this season.

Whakapapa is Open – Snow’s arrived and it’s ski time!

Updated: 17 July 2025

We don’t want to say we told you so but, it’s July and here comes the snow. A whopping 30-40cm over the last week. So now it’s time to get up the mountain for winter. The forecast is for it to possibly clear this weekend, with fresh now the skiing should be awesome.

Whakapapa is open for the 2025 ski season, but just a heads-up, the snow’s a bit light at the moment. It’s mostly man-made, with Happy Valley running thanks to the snowmakers doing their awesome job.

If you’re new to skiing or snowboarding, Happy Valley’s actually a great place to start. We’ve spent many a day there teaching my daughter to snowboard – plenty of space, nice and safe, and the café is open if you need a break.

It’s perfect for the school holidays. Get the kids up there, let them slide around and have some fun. And don’t stress about the snow, most of it usually turns up in July, so the season’s just getting started.

As we say: any day on the mountain is a good day on the mountain.