New Zealand Faces One of Leanest Snow Seasons on Record

The 2025 winter season has been marked by notably low snowfall and challenging conditions for ski resorts in New Zealand, with some areas experiencing one of the leanest snow years on record. Snow Farm in the Cardrona Valley extended its season despite limited terrain and a small closure period, while Cardrona and Treble Cone also faced low natural snow but maintained high guest numbers by utilizing man-made snow. This trend of reduced snow levels is consistent with broader global patterns of ice and glacier retreat, as seen in the Swiss Alps where glaciers like the Fiesch and Great Aletsch are rapidly melting, impacting local ecosystems and cultural landscapes. The retreat has revealed diverse alpine habitats and unique microorganisms that thrive in ice environments, highlighting the ecological significance of these frozen regions. Historically, efforts to understand and mitigate snow-related risks have evolved, such as the 1949 visit by Swiss avalanche expert Andre Roch to U.S. ski areas to improve avalanche safety, underscoring the long-standing challenge of managing winter mountain environments. Overall, the season underscores the growing impact of climate variability on winter sports and mountain ecosystems worldwide.