Treble Cone, New Zealand, Closed Today & Tomorrow After Rain Triggers Avalanches and Landslides

Treble Cone was closed today, August 28, 2026, and announced that it will remain closed Saturday, August 29, 2026, as crews continue clearing landslides, managing avalanche hazards and digging out lifts and buildings following an extraordinary rain event. The resort was closed Friday and initially hoped to reopen Saturday, but a 5 p.m. update confirmed that crews need at least another day to make the mountain safe.



Related: SnowBrains Forecast: Up to 120 cm for New Zealand Through Friday



Treble Cone will remain closed on Saturday, after an unprecedented overnight rainstorm created a complex mix of avalanche and access hazards across the New Zealand ski area. “After unprecedented overnight rain we have been working all day to clear various landslides on the access road and to deal with complex avalanche hazard across the mountain,” Treble Cone said.



The storm arrived on top of an already substantial snowpack, creating challenging conditions for ski patrol. During the storm, the resort also received 60 centimeters (24 inches) of snowfall in the last 24 hours. Crews deployed helicopters, machinery and ground teams Friday to address both the avalanche hazard and extensive damage along the access road.

The road leading to Treble Cone itself remains a major obstacle to reopening. Treble Cone’s access road will be closed to all traffic Saturday, as crews continue clearing several large landslides and debris from the roadway. “It’s not quite ready for us to open tomorrow,” the resort said. “With continued warm temps today we have been going two steps forwards, one step back. But we are making progress!”



Saturday’s work will shift toward cleanup and recovery. Treble Cone plans to send out its groomers to clear debris, including damaged fencing, while additional teams will work to dig out lifts and buildings that have been buried by snow and storm debris. The resort’s ski patrol will also continue avalanche-control work as crews assess the stability of the mountain.

The combination of heavy rain, warm temperatures and a deep existing snowpack can create particularly complicated avalanche conditions. Rain adds weight to the snowpack while allowing water to penetrate existing layers, potentially weakening the structure and increasing the potential for avalanches.

Treble Cone has already used helicopter avalanche control as part of its response.

The closure also means the TC Snowboard Banked Slalom has been cancelled this weekend.

Despite the difficult conditions, Treble Cone says there is a potential silver lining. The substantial snowfall underneath the rain could provide a strong foundation for the remainder of the season once temperatures cool and the mountain is stabilized. “Hopefully this snow sets us up for an epic spring ahead!” the resort said.

Treble Cone is one of New Zealand’s premier ski areas, overlooking Lake Wānaka and the Southern Alps. Its high-elevation terrain and famously rugged access road make it particularly sensitive to major weather events, but the current closure is unusual in its combination of landslides, avalanche control and storm cleanup.

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