The decision to rethink operations at Rainbow Ski Area followed a review of recent seasons, including 2025, when the ski field did not open due to snow and weather conditions
In New Zealand over the last few seasons, some seasons have started with early snowfall before tapering off, while others have arrived later with lighter snow. Snowfall has varied by catchment as weather patterns shift, meaning some areas benefit while others struggle. Overall, though, snow continues to fall across the country each year. What has changed is the timing and consistency, which now vary far more from season to season.
Like many small, club-owned ski fields, Rainbow has traditionally operated under a fixed seasonal model, with seven-day operations, a seasonal workforce, and a full schools programme. While this approach has worked well in strong winters, it carries greater financial risk when conditions are unpredictable. Continuing unchanged would place unnecessary pressure on the club’s long-term sustainability.
From 2026, Rainbow will move to a more flexible operating model designed to better match the conditions of each season
Standard operating days will be Saturdays and Sundays, with additional midweek days offered when snow, weather, staffing and safety requirements allow. This shift reduces exposure on marginal days while keeping the focus firmly on delivering a quality experience when conditions are right.
A smaller core team will sit at the heart of operations. A full-time Operations Manager will live on the mountain, overseeing safety, infrastructure, machinery and day-to-day activity. This role will be supported by local part-time staff in key operational and customer-facing positions, alongside volunteers and club members contributing across areas such as lifts, patrol support, rentals, road patrol and the café.
Volunteers will receive ski vouchers in return for their work, reinforcing Rainbow’s long-standing culture of participation and shared ownership
Infrastructure care will be led by qualified club members, who will take responsibility for lifts, grooming equipment, buildings, road access and snowmaking systems. This approach strengthens shared knowledge, supports year-round care of the field, and keeps experience and expertise within the club.
A more streamlined approach to on-mountain services. There will be no fixed schools programme in 2026, though schools and groups remain welcome to book on days when the field is open. The café will operate with a smaller, reliable offering, and snowmaking will be used selectively when conditions and staffing make it effective.
For members, Rainbow will remain member-owned and community-driven
Season passes will continue to be available, and all previously issued passes have been honoured. Membership will place greater emphasis on involvement, with more opportunities for members to contribute directly to operations and help shape the future of the field.
Looking ahead, the 2026 season is about doing the important few things well. By aligning operations with real conditions rather than fixed expectations, Rainbow is choosing a practical, resilient path – one that supports the club today while keeping options open for future growth when winters allow.
A model for the future?
Time will tell, but the initial programme developed for Rainbow suggests a way forward that allows smaller fields to remain flexible and responsive to snow conditions without losing their essence. At its heart, Rainbow remains what it has always been: a ski field shaped by its members and its mountain. In many ways, it’s a return to what club skiing has always been about. We wish the Rainbow team all the best for 2026 – and we’re proud to say we’ve become members too.
This article forms part of our ongoing What’s Happening to Winter? series, which also includes features on topics such as snowmaking and how ski fields across New Zealand are responding to more variable winter conditions.