Photo: Tony Harrington
The Southern Hemisphere has opposite seasons to Japan. While Japan is experiencing the heat of early summer, the Southern Hemisphere is finally entering the 2023 snow season with the opening of Mt. Hutt in New Zealand on June 9th. After a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, what will skiing and snowboarding be like in the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand, and Australia this summer?
Overview of what the 2023 season for New Zealand and Australia
As you may know, New Zealand and Australia, located in the Southern Hemisphere, have seasons that are the complete opposite of those in Japan. The snow season runs from June to October, and now, in mid-June, the 2023 season has just begun in the Southern Hemisphere. Here, we bring you the latest information from New Zealand and Australia, as well as an overview of the 2023 season
The 2023 season has finally begun in the Southern Hemisphere!
Mt. Hutt, one of the first resorts on New Zealand's South Island to get snow, was the first to open for the season, opening as scheduled on June 9th. While there's still very little snow, artificial snow machines covering 28 hectares of the resort's 365 hectares have opened the doors to a packed groom's paradise, just like every year. Each resort has been selling season passes and lift tickets online in advance, and sales are said to be extremely strong
▼ Instagram post from the opening day of Mt. Hutt, New Zealand (June 9th)
The situation is similar in Australia, where, for example, accommodation at the popular Mt. Buller is fully booked. Take a look at the video of Mt. Buller's opening day (June 10th), which is usually a busy day
▼YouTube post from the opening day of Mt. Buller in Australia (June 10th)
It's not just people who are active. This kind of powder is currently falling at Mt. Cook, a glacier field on New Zealand's South Island! Looking at the comments posted, one interesting comment reads, "This isn't Japan or Canada! It's Mt. Cook!" Japan's powder snow is indeed a dream destination even overseas
El Niño is predicted to return, bringing a warm winter
Although snow resorts are opening one after another, concerning weather data for the 2023 snow season in the Southern Hemisphere is generating a lot of buzz. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), April 2023 was the warmest month on record in the Southern Hemisphere. There are also predictions that 2023 could be the hottest year on record, not just in the Southern Hemisphere. The Japan Meteorological Agency also released a forecast in March of the progress of the El Niño/La Niña phenomenon, forecasting the period from March to September 2023 (see chart)
The main reasons behind this are rising CO2 emissions, climate change, and the return of El Niño, which is the latest wave of the La Niña phenomenon of the past few years. El Niño usually causes record-breaking global temperature increases. It's going to be a very worrying season, and we'll have to wait and see how much snow we get
Lift Pass Information
There are few countries in the world where lift fees are as cheap as Japan. Like the United States, lift fees in New Zealand and Australia have been steadily rising. In recent years, the price hike has accelerated, and as of the 2023 season, a one-day ticket in New Zealand costs around NZ$160, which is equivalent to 13,000 yen at an exchange rate of 1 NZ$ = approximately 85 yen. In particular, from last season in 2022 to this season in 2023, NZ$ 10-20.
Skiing is now considered a luxury pastime for the wealthy in the area, but locals apparently buy a season pass for multiple resorts for around NZ$1,300 (approximately 110,000 yen) and diligently go to all the resorts during the season
| Resort | 2022 season (NZ$) prices | price (NZ$) |
| Mt. Hutt | Cornet Peak | Remarkables (1-day ticket) | NZ$139 | NZ$ 159 (+ NZ$ 20) |
| Mt. Hutt | Cornet Peak | Remarkables Combined Season Pass | NZ$1299 | NZ$ 1399 (+ NZ$ 100) |
| Cadorona (1-day ticket) | Treblecorn (1-day ticket) | NZ$150 | NZ$ 160 (+ NZ$ 10) |
| Cadorona | Treblecone combined season ticket | NZ$1499 | NZ$ 1649 (+ NZ$ 200) |
For guests traveling from overseas, this is sure to put a strain on their wallets. Additionally, the current (as of June 2023) exchange rate for the yen is extremely low at 1 NZ$ = 85.5 yen, which is also a cause for concern. Still, the appeal of escaping the scorching heat of Japan, traveling abroad to escape the heat, enjoying dynamic powder snow on the other side of the world, and experiencing heli-skiing more casually than in North America is irresistible
Resorts' response and changes for the 2023 season
Despite concerns about the impact of El Niño, resorts have made various upgrades, looking forward to the new 2023 season, with the COVID-19 pandemic now largely over. For example, Commercial Fields in New Zealand announced the following changes and advancements for the 2023 season.
Many of the hard aspects, including increased snowmaking capacity and power, essential for creating slopes and maintaining initial conditions, as well as improvements to lifts and slopes, have been upgraded to address light snowfall and enhance comfort. Furthermore, on the soft side, improvements are being made to facilities and services aimed at enjoying resort life, such as upgrading the number and quality of rental equipment, schools, shops, and dining options.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the impact or shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic is virtually gone. Even on resort websites, the word "COVID-19" (novel coronavirus) is barely visible. However, resorts appear to be busy expanding various services to attract visitors and make up for the gaps they've missed over the past three years.
Mt. Hutt 2023 (Improvements)
- 14 snow machines were deployed to allow the trails to be ready as early as possible in the season (operations began on the scheduled opening day)
- Introducing new products and upgrading rentals
- Sledding area upgraded for beginners
- The coffee shop has expanded and its services have been expanded
Cornet Peak 2023 (Improvements)
- A fun slope (a gentle slope for beginners) was created on the west side of the mountain
- Introducing a new snow groomer: the latest sustainable model
- Upgrade the type and number of rentals
- One-day kids club for children aged 5-12 years old is back (closed during the COVID-19 pandemic)
- Expanded and improved lineup, including breakfast buffet
- Introducing a footbridge from a parking lot at the bottom of the mountain
- Fan gun (snow machine) firepower increased
- A new shop near the bus stop on Duke Street. You can rent a bike in advance in the city and then take the shuttle bus (shared with Remarkables)
Cadorona 2023 (Improvements)
- Admission will be limited, same-day ticket sales will be reduced, and crowding will be alleviated by setting rules for specifying in advance which areas to visit and when
- Online advance discounts available
What are Japanese users doing?
Speaking of overseas ski trips, Fellow Travel is a well-known company specializing in overseas ski tours, escorting Japanese skiers to snow resorts around the world since 1977. New Zealand is popular among Japanese skiers, as it allows skiing even in midsummer. With the COVID-19 pandemic under control, sales of New Zealand ski trips are also in full swing this summer.
Incidentally, the "9-Day Southern Lakes" package tour, which began selling in April, includes a stay in Queenstown and 5.5 days of skiing at four surrounding ski resorts. Prices start from ¥528,000 for weekday departures and ¥598,000 for weekend departures, but all itineraries were sold out before the season even began.
Judging by the price, it appears to be a rather luxurious overseas ski trip, and for Southern Hemisphere skiers who have been waiting anxiously for a trip during the COVID-19 pandemic, it's sure to be a much-anticipated experience.
Now that the COVID-19 pandemic has calmed down and we're able to travel abroad again, I'm sure there are many people who want to go skiing in the Southern Hemisphere this summer! This summer, La Niña is over and El Niño is returning, predicting scorching heat. Everyone wants to escape Japan and go powder riding on the other side of the world