Craigieburn Valley Ski Area, New Zealand, Announces Closure for 2025 Season

Craigieburn Valley Ski Area on New Zealand’s South Island has confirmed it will close for the 2025 season. After great snowfalls in early September that saw the ski field have some of the best snow of the season, a rainy weather front in mid-September eroded the snow cover, rendering the slopes unskiable. “Unfortunately the rain and hot wind has decimated our snowpack… As much as we love ‘sporty adventure skiing’ this would take ‘bring your rock-skis’ to a whole new level,” the club ski field wrote on its Facebook page on Thursday, September 18.

The ski field in the Craigieburn Range had hoped that the wet weather would not damage the snowpack too much, but after warm temperatures and rains, it had to make the difficult decision to call it for the 20205 season. “Well folks—we are sure you have seen the webcams and already know the last shimmer of hope came and went without changing our tussrockslush-pack back to a winter pow land,” the club field shared on Facebook yesterday, September 22. “As such we have made the difficult (or not so difficult—if you’re familiar with the concept of ‘shovelling your soul away’) choice to close for the season. From the 2025 staff, a huge thanks to all those who ventured up and enjoyed all CV has to offer—whether it was some elusive powder skiing or wild adventure skiing, or even just enjoying the views and fresh mountain air! Cheers.”

Craigieburn Valley, known for its steep terrain and authentic club atmosphere, has long been a favorite among advanced skiers seeking a more rugged, backcountry-style experience. The closure comes after what has been a challenging season for many South Island ski fields, with mild temperatures and limited storms restricting operations.