Snow, snow, snow aye %%First Name%%,

It is confirmed, it is all Sam’s fault! It has been warm and wet. (Well tell us something we don’t know). Sam (the southern annular mode), measures the strength of the polar vortex and this just after I was getting my head around a building La Nina . Apparently it might get cold again, better late than never I say... unless you’re a lamb.

Whakapapa has had 15cms and Turoa 10cms of new snow overnight to below carpark levels. Today is one of those rare occasions this season that you need chains at Whakapapa. For this weekend though if you’re in the North Island it’s groundhog weekend again...again. Oh, I’ve already said that one haven’t I. There is snow forecast for Friday and Saturday, hey it’s better than rain right... and strong to gale westerly winds on Sunday. It’s Haensli Cup weekend and ski clubs will be battling it out (with each other and the weather) on Saturday for supremacy at Whakapapa.

Rainbow had 7cms of new snow yesterday (but I can still see the tussock) and there is more in the forecast for Rainbow which will keep everyone happy. Still only on-piste riding, and you MUST carry or fit chains to get up the road. Lyford had another 30cms and Hanmer 12 yesterday. There is more forecast, but tomorrow and Sunday look pretty good at this stage so pack your chains and head up there. Canterbury has had between 10 & 25cms of new snow in the last 24 hours. Again more is forecast, on and off during the weekend but the winds will remain light so get up there for some freshies.

The Mackenzie is having the best season for snow the year. Tomorrow looks great with up to 10cms of new snow on the ground from yesterday. It’s going to blow and snow on Saturday but the winds will drop on Sunday. Even if it’s snowing a bit it will be a good day out because there’ll be fresh snow and no people!

The Junior World Ski & Snowboard Champs kick off this weekend at Cardrona and Snowpark. This is the first time that these events have been in the Southern Hemisphere and also the first time that snowboarding and freestyle skiing will share the same stage in a World Championship. Wanaka is going to be full of groms this week!! The Snowboard Cross is at Cardi on Saturday, with the Finals on Sunday. The slopestyle Snowboard Slopestyle is at Snowpark on Saturday. Get up there to watch the hottest groms in the world go down, and throw down with style.

Remember night riding is on again for Friday and Saturday nights at Coronet and Snowpark. The highlight this week at Coronet Peak is that Dane Rumble (Check out his vid) will be playing on the deck from 6:00pm as part of the FREE Coronet Peak Concert Series. Snow is forecast for Saturday afternoon... doh! But in general the weather will remain pretty benign.

Get into it, have fun and be safe.