The paucity of snow has meant a challenging school holiday fortnight for Wānaka’s skifields, and the bad news from the Metservice is there are currently “no big snowmakers” on the way.

The Wānaka App checked in with a school holiday visitor who sampled both Cardrona and Treble Cone.

While “the snow was abysmal”, they said ski field staff did “a really good job of taking snow from the side and patching up bare bits”. 

“It was worth going up, it’s always fun to go snowboarding and skiing,” she said.

“Of course it would have been more fun if all the runs were open but I think they did the best they could considering the snow.”

More tussock than snow seen from the Cardrona base buildings at the beginning of school holidays. PHOTO: Wānaka App

The visitor said she was surprised by how quiet it was at Treble Cone for the school holidays.

“The start of the season has certainly been more challenging than most,” Cardrona and Treble Cone general manager Laura Hedley said 

“The warmer temps and clear forecasts have meant that there’s simply not enough natural snow cover on the maunga.”

“Our team has worked hard to open two of our main runs and guests have enjoyed fresh cord every morning. We’ve had a lot of great feedback around the conditions on field and we love to see guests living up the après lifestyle at the base.”

Snow Farm general manager Sam Lee said the school holidays had been good at the cross country skiing area, attracting lots of families to play in the snow.

“But without fresh snow the excitement isn't as high as we would like,” he said.

Laura said: “We’re just holding out for that next weather front to deliver the goods”.

Meteorologist Mmathatelo Makgabutlane delivered the “not great news” to the Wānaka App that no snowfall is expected over the next few days.

A glimmer of hope is a possible weather system bringing snow in the middle of next week.

“It remains to be seen how low any snow will fall,” Mmathatelo said, adding “at least the tops of the mountains should get some”.