No Lifts Will Spin at Temple Basin, NZ This Year

It’s the news no skier or rider ever wants to hear. Temple Basin, one of New Zealand's most historic and adventurous club fields, has officially pulled the plug on its 2025 winter season. The reason is a simple and painful one: a lack of snow.

In an announcement on Wednesday, the ski area confirmed that there simply isn’t a deep enough snowpack to safely operate its iconic rope tows. A recent storm system that brought hope failed to deliver the goods, leaving the resort with no choice but to make the tough call.

For anyone who’s made the 45-minute hike from the car park into the heart of Arthur’s Pass National Park, this news hits hard. Temple Basin isn’t your typical resort; it's a raw, community-driven experience built on a passion for steep, rugged terrain served by three powerful rope tows. Its location on the Main Divide usually blesses it with heavy storms, but the weather gods simply didn't cooperate this year.

The closure is a reflection of a challenging and inconsistent winter for New Zealand’s South Island, with other major resorts like The Remarkables and Coronet Peak also reporting difficult conditions and below-average snow depths.

While the lifts will remain silent, there's a small silver lining. The lodge at Temple Basin will remain open for accommodation on several upcoming weekends, offering a base for hiking and ski touring adventures. The resort also noted that if a massive, season-saving storm were to materialize, a "pop-up" weekend of operations could be possible, depending on staff and volunteer availability.

For now, the skis will stay in the rack at Temple Basin. Here's to hoping for a deep winter down under next season.