Ōhau Snow Fields, New Zealand, wrapped up its 2026 ski season on Sunday, October 4, sending skiers and snowboarders into spring with a final day of retro gear, good snow and plenty of sunshine. The South Island ski area celebrated its closing day with Hot Dog Day, inviting guests to dig out vintage ski clothes, bright colors and old-school skis and snowboards for one last throwback session on the mountain.
Best of all, the snow was still holding up. Closing-day conditions showed a 50-centimeter (20-inch) base at the Snow Mat, 90 centimeters (35 inches) at the top of the chairlift and 110 centimeters (43 inches) in the upper-mountain off-piste terrain. The resort had received 12 centimeters (4.7 inches) of fresh snow on September 27.
The main trails, Hollywood Boulevard, Towers and Shirt Front were groomed for the final day, while on- and off-piste terrain was expected to start firm before softening as temperatures rose. It was a fitting end to a season that had continued to deliver late-season turns in the Southern Alps.
Ōhau’s final weekend came just one week after a substantial spring refresh. SnowBrains reported more than a foot of fresh snow across the ski area from September 25-27, with the mountain unusually quiet and powder conditions providing a memorable final stretch to the season. That late-season snow helped Ōhau finish with a healthy upper-mountain base rather than relying solely on spring snowpack to get through October.
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The final day itself was a celebration of the people who made the season possible. “That’s a wrap!” Ōhau Snow Fields posted after closing Sunday. “Another season done and dusted!” The resort thanked its guests for making 2026 the season it was, while giving a special shoutout to its staff for the long days and hard work throughout the winter. “Until next winter,” the resort said.
The 2026 season at Ōhau began on June 27 and officially concluded October 4, with Ōhau sticking to its planned closing date.
