Generally, the ski season in New Zealand begins in June and continues until late October; so now is a good time to plan and book ski holidays 2012. When snow conditions are right, the larger ski areas start to open in early June, and the smaller ones start to open either in late June or early in July.
Powder skiing on light, dry, newly fallen snow is good during June and July, which are colder months, although the weather remains relatively mild. The top month for skiing is August, and the following months, September and October, can offer a range of conditions, depending on the weather. This means it is possible to experience spring skiing conditions at one point, and then winter powder the next.
If looking for an opportunity later in the year, ski holidays 2012 can include a trip to New Zealand in December. Often when the season is good New Zealand’s largest higher-altitude ski area, Whakapapa, will be opened up at Christmas for summer skiing. Situated on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu, to the northwest, it offers an area of 1050 hectares with over 65 trails.
A useful tip when booking a ski holiday in New Zealand is to avoid the period when the schools are on holiday. In 2012 this is approximately the last three weeks of April, the first two weeks of July, the first two weeks of October and six weeks from 20th December onwards.