Patrick Thorne
Getting to the mountain to start queuing at 4.45am bagged a group of skiers and boarders the coveted ‘First Chair’ T shirts as well as first tracks at Treble Cone ski resort in New Zealand, located in one of the most stunning locations in the world, which opened for its 2022 season today.
Most of New Zealand’s and the entire southern hemisphere’s ski areas have now opened for winter 2022 – the first since 2019 when skiers and boarders from overseas have been able to travel to them again, subject to various rules and restrictions.
Ski areas in the Andes, Australia, Southern Africa and New Zealand have all reported good early-season snowfalls at various points in June. New Zealand’s ski areas are currently posting the deepest fresh snow – up to 1.2 metres – following a major storm just over a week ago.
“Today at TC has been epic! We’ve had such a good start with snow, and it’s amazing to see so many people up here enjoying the maunga. We’re absolutely stoked!” said the resort’s manager Laura Hedley.
Ski areas remain open on six continents although it is believed only a single area is still open in each of Asia and North America.
