Ohau Snowfields, New Zealand Report; Winter ‘26 Photo Essay

The view Nor’West from famed Ohau Ridge. Photo: P.M.Fadden

Photo Essay From Winter, 2026

October 3rd & 4th marked a sun-drenched winter finale at Ohau Snowfields.

The New Zealand snow was softly playful, atmosphere perfectly in-tune; and while a closing date is sadly-sweet as matter of course, it feels somehow like coming full circle.

Whimsy as a way of life. Photo: P.M.Fadden

Last day of winter (as well as the first) are stitches in time to frame the good times shared and the snow that fell. The following Photo Essay celebrates both, as only Ohau Snowfields can deliver.

.sb-trending-widget {
background: #f8f8f8;
border-top: 2px solid #e0e0e0;
border-left: 4px solid #ea2e49;
border-radius: 0 4px 4px 0;
margin: 28px 0;
padding: 14px 14px 6px;
width: 100%;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.sb-trending-header {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 8px;
margin-bottom: 12px;
padding-bottom: 10px;
border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;
}
.sb-trending-icon {
font-size: 18px;
line-height: 1;
flex-shrink: 0;
}
.sb-trending-label {
font-size: 15px;
font-weight: 700;
color: #1a1a1a;
line-height: 1.3;
text-transform: uppercase;
letter-spacing: 0.04em;
}
.sb-trending-list {
list-style: none;
margin: 0;
padding: 0;
}
.sb-trending-item {
border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e8e8;
padding: 9px 0;
border-radius: 3px;
transition: background 0.1s;
}
.sb-trending-item:last-child {
border-bottom: none;
padding-bottom: 4px;
}
.sb-trending-item:active {
background: #fef0f2;
}
.sb-trending-link {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 10px;
text-decoration: none;
color: inherit;
padding: 2px 4px;
}
.sb-trending-thumb {
flex-shrink: 0;
}
.sb-trending-thumb img {
display: block;
width: 80px;
height: 64px;
object-fit: cover;
border-radius: 3px;
}
.sb-trending-text {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 8px;
flex: 1;
min-width: 0;
}
.sb-trending-num {
font-size: 22px;
font-weight: 700;
color: #ea2e49;
line-height: 1;
min-width: 22px;
flex-shrink: 0;
}
.sb-trending-right {
flex: 1;
min-width: 0;
}
.sb-trending-title {
font-size: 14px;
font-weight: 500;
color: #1a1a1a;
line-height: 1.45;
text-align: left;
transition: color 0.15s;
display: inline;
}
.sb-trending-arrow {
font-size: 14px;
color: #ea2e49;
font-weight: 700;
white-space: nowrap;
display: inline;
}
.sb-trending-link:hover .sb-trending-title {
color: #ea2e49;
}
.sb-trending-link:active .sb-trending-title {
color: #ea2e49;
}

document.addEventListener(‘DOMContentLoaded’, function() {
var trendingLinks = document.querySelectorAll(‘.sb-trending-link’);
trendingLinks.forEach(function(link) {
link.addEventListener(‘click’, function(e) {
e.preventDefault(); // Prevent immediate navigation

var title = this.getAttribute(‘data-trending-title’);
var position = this.getAttribute(‘data-trending-position’);
var url = this.getAttribute(‘href’);

// Fire GA4 event
if (typeof gtag !== ‘undefined’) {
gtag(‘event’, ‘trending_widget_click’, {
‘event_category’: ‘engagement’,
‘event_label’: title,
‘trending_position’: position,
‘trending_item’: title
});
} else if (window.dataLayer) {
// Fallback for GTM dataLayer if gtag is not available
window.dataLayer.push({
‘event’: ‘trending_widget_click’,
‘event_category’: ‘engagement’,
‘event_label’: title,
‘trending_position’: position,
‘trending_item’: title
});
}

// Navigate after a brief delay to ensure event is sent
setTimeout(function() {
window.location.href = url;
}, 100);
});
});
});

PHOTOS

 

Base operations at Ohau Snowfields. Photo: P.M.Fadden

 

Terrain and snap snow events to not soon be forgotten. Photo: P.M.Fadden

 

Good Time Express leaving the station. Photo: P.M.Fadden

 

The widest lenses still can’t capture it all. Photo: P.M.Fadden

 

Photo: P.M.Fadden. At Ohau, scenic route is the standard… 

 

…as is space to create. Photo: P.M.Fadden

 

Ohau’s Canteen; shelter in a storm. Photo: P.M.Fadden

 

Good chats served daily. Photo: P.M.Fadden

 

Car park vista and the unique pleasure of de-booting. Photo: P.M.Fadden

 

Aoraki Mount Cook from Ohau ridge. Photo: P.M.Fadden

 

Welcome to Lake Ohau Lodge. Photo: P.M.Fadden

 

The panorama that bids farewell for now. Photo: P.M.Fadden


Analyse


Post not analysed yet. Do the magic.