Australia and New Zealand 2026

[ChrisC]

Interesting development for The Remarkables and New Zealand skiing:

Remarkables Expands into Doolans

The proposed Doolans expansion at The Remarkables will add 262 hectares of skiable terrain, bringing the ski area to 711 hectares and making The Remarkables the largest ski area in New Zealand by skiable terrain. It includes a 2.7-kilometre gondola connecting Rastus Burn to Doolans Basin.

www.theremarkables.co.nz

The Remarkables Could Become New Zealand’s Largest Ski Area if Expansion is Approved

NZSki's NZD 150M proposal would expand The Remarkables from 449 to 711 hectares, making it New Zealand's largest ski area.

snowbrains.com

https://www.powder.com/news/new-zealand-new-largest-ski-area

 

[Tony Crocker]

The road to the Remarkables approaches from the north so much of the current area has bad exposure. Doolans will improve that. A Google Earth measurement shows that the expansion is about 1,200 vertical feet at an overall intermediate 4-1 length to vert ratio. This compares to 3-1 at Cardrona's recent Soho expansion. Cardona is much bigger than when I was there in 1997 in low tide conditions, and thus the area I would prioritize if/when I ever get back to Queenstown/Southern Lakes. If that happens it will be after the July 2028 eclipse, and I doubt Doolans will be open by then.

 

[Patrick]

Slow start in NZ and Australia’s Snowy mountains.

 

[Sbooker]

Slow start in NZ and Australia’s Snowy mountains.

I'm playing it by ear and will book last minute if conditions become favourable. I'm eying Mt Ruapehu in September.

 

[Patrick]

I'm playing it by ear and will book last minute if conditions become favourable. I'm eying Mt Ruapehu in September.

I know Ruapehu had a terrible year last season. I’ll also play it by ear like i did last year.

 

[ChrisC]

Yes, I would like to ski in New Zealand once, but I do not want to ski on rocks. Of course, there are many other activities to do in NZ... but done most of them on another trip. Except for Milford Sound.

Again, I'll start really paying attention late July/August 1st to see if anywhere is approaching a 100-150+ cm snow base. One cannot time surface conditions, but you can ensure a proper base for coverage. Of course, with skiing, the best plans can quickly go awry.