logo
Mt Hutt plans to open two weeks early after big snow dump

Mt Hutt plans to open two weeks early after big snow dump

RNZ News13-05-2025

Mt Hutt has not opened so early in the season since 2009.
Photo:
Supplied
Canterbury's Mt Hutt ski field is planning to open two weeks early - if weather conditions remain favourable.
More than one metre of snow fell on the slopes in early May, providing enough cover to open on King's Birthday weekend on 31 May.
Mt Hutt ski manager James McKenzie told Midday Report the ski field had not opened in autumn for years.
"We haven't seen this for about 16 years. 2009 was our first May opening since this side of the millennium, so it's pretty exciting," he said.
McKenzie said a snowcat vehicle was already doing "quite a bit of a dig-out" to clear a fence buried in snow in preparation for the opening.
"It's all buried under snow and we have to sort of have to lift that netting fence up so that we can get operational," he said.
Clearing snow on Mt Hutt.
Photo:
Supplied
While snow had melted off lower parts of the mountain because of a north-westerly wind, there was still a good base of snow on the upper mountain, where about 50 to 80 centimetres of snow remained, McKenzie said.
"Looking at what we've got on the ground now, it is a fantastic start to the 2025 winter season for a southern ski field. So, we're just keeping our fingers crossed that it holds in there," he said.
Mt Hutt was originally scheduled to open on 13 June.
Snow ploughing on Mt Hutt.
Photo:
Supplied
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter
curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Run It championship relocates from Auckland to Dubai after fierce backlash
Run It championship relocates from Auckland to Dubai after fierce backlash

RNZ News

time28 minutes ago

  • RNZ News

Run It championship relocates from Auckland to Dubai after fierce backlash

RUNIT Auckland. Trusts Stadium. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport The much-maligned 'run it straight' phenomenon is making a move to the Middle East. The Run It Championship League hosted two trial events in Auckland in May, with the final also planned for the city. However, following fierce backlash, and the death of a teenager playing an unofficial game, the organisation has relocated from the final Aotearoa to Dubai, with a date yet to be announced. It made the announcement on its Instagram page which has 180,000 followers. Last month, 19-year-old Ryan Satterthwaite died after suffering serious head injuries playing a casual version of the game in a backyard with friends. The game has been heavily criticised by both New Zealand Rugby and Rugby League as well as several neurologists due to its the risk of brain injuiry. At night two of trials in Auckland, a man appeared to have a seizure after being hit high and slumping to the ground. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Poverty Bay, East Coast club rugby draws for Saturday
Poverty Bay, East Coast club rugby draws for Saturday

NZ Herald

timean hour ago

  • NZ Herald

Poverty Bay, East Coast club rugby draws for Saturday

Ngāti Porou East Coast captain Api Pewhairangi in King's Birthday weekend derby action against Poverty Bay. Midfield back Pewhairangi scored three tries for Tokomaru Bay United in their 35-22 loss to Ruatōria City in the NPEC men's club competition last weekend. It doesn't get any easier for bottom-of-the-table United this weekend as they face points-standings leaders TVC. Photo / Paul Rickard Te Pae Hākari Poverty Bay men's competition Premier Grade All games at 2.45pm: Oval 1, Kevin Hollis Glass Tūranga Pirates vs Enterprise Cars OBM (referee Paul Brown, assistants Les Thomas, Neville Barwick); Oval 2, Earthwork Solutions High School Old Boys vs East Coast Farm Vets YMP (Keelyn Smith, Joel Pearse,

Scott McLaughlin: 'Champions are made learning from their mistakes'
Scott McLaughlin: 'Champions are made learning from their mistakes'

RNZ News

timean hour ago

  • RNZ News

Scott McLaughlin: 'Champions are made learning from their mistakes'

New Zealand Indycar driver Scott McLaughlin. Photo: MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO / AFP New Zealand driver Scott McLaughlin is still working himself back from the lowest point of his career and is motivated to taste victory again. McLaughlin had two crashes during last month's Indianapolis 500 and described the moment as the worst of his career. McLaughlin, who is now in his fifth year in Indycars, sits eighth in the 2025 standings, 150 points behind championship leader Alex Palou. The 32-year-old has raced once since his disappointing Indy outing and this weekend competes in the eighth round in St Louis, the venue where he finished second in 2024. "It was definitely one of, if not, the lowest point of my career," McLaughlin told media ahead of the latest round. "I still am a little bit perplexed about what happened, I've never done that before in my career." McLaughlin said they had a fast car at Indy and had been going well on ovals. "There is nothing to be upset about apart from the fact that I felt that I wasted a really good opportunity from a pace perspective. "It was tough but champions are made learning from their mistakes." McLaughlin has had four top 10 finishes in seven rounds in 2025, making the podium just once with a third place finish in Alabama. Team Penske is yet to win a race in 2025. New Zealand driver Scott McLaughlin slides along pit wall before the start of the 2025 Indianapolis 500. Photo: David Allio/Icon Sportswire / PHOTOSPORT In the last three years he has finished fourth, third and third in the championship, so he's motivated to improve on his current eighth position. "I just want to be the best, I have been driving really well just luck and a couple of mistakes on my side that haven't worked out." He knows he has to make the most of the pace the car is producing. "We've had some positive momentum, it's just putting the pieces of the puzzle together. "I've been in this sport long enough in Indycars and Supercars that sometimes you can have a fast car and you just don't put it together." Mexican Alex Palou has again been the standout driver this year. The two-time defending champion has a 90 point lead in the championship. McLaughlin admits Palou has set the benchmark. "That guys is executing at a really high level and so you have to raise yourself and the team to that level." The series is back on an oval at St Louis this weekend and while many foreign drivers are use to road or street courses, McLaughlin now describes himself as "an oval guy." "Every time I go on an oval I feel really confident." Fellow New Zealander Scott Dixon is seventh in the standings and Marcus Armstrong tenth. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store