Beyond August: Chasing a Shifting Season

The calendar says that winter starts on June 1. Perhaps on paper that is correct, but for several years now, June has been scanty for snow, and winter has effectively (for snow sports) been July, August and September. As our operational window reflects, we are in the heart of it now! 

In recent memory, snow in the Southern Lakes of Aotearoa New Zealand has displayed a shifting temporal pattern. The highlight of our winters in the last two years has been heavy storms in September; periods of highly intense, winter-strength storm cycles characterised by rapid south-westerly fronts bringing cold precipitation.

This weather pattern brings more than just early September powder days; it adds depth to the base snowpack in the backcountry, extending the longevity of our season and to our delight into the second half of the month. This broader regional shift toward late-season storms means our operational window stretches right through September, a month which is still framed in many minds as a time for “spring skiing”. 

We want to challenge that!

Throughout our expansive range of high terrain, there is still cold, dry snow to be found at this time of year, and in the first half of September we are expecting to show our guests powdery, wintery skiing – wherever we can find it.

Come mid-September, our days start to migrate toward true spring skiing: ripping spring corn in tee-shirts while working on our goggle tans. Legs are strong and confidence is high from the season to date, and guests feel physically ready for a once-in-a-lifetime day. As daylight saving approaches, with longer daylight operations for flying, it becomes increasingly possible to add runs when the day is going well, or to quest further afield in search of the perfect line. This part of winter holds some of the best and most enjoyable heli-ski days of the season.

Just imagine flying back to the hangar tired and happy, with the sunset behind you at 5 pm. September hits different.  

Don’t let the gardeners and summer-lovers in your life convince you that winter is over! Far from it. In mid-August, we are right in the middle of our busiest and most popular time at Harris Mountains Heli-Ski. However, we think that the best may be yet to come. 

Article photos by Hugh Barnard @hughbarnard - From powder day on September 16, 2014.