📷 Rainbow
Oceania
Rainbow
Solid · 2026 season average
Projected to open July 25, 2027 · average of 20 verified open days
Best months to book: August, September · last season + 30-yr record
Scroll for happiness
Projected to open Jul 25 — closed September 6
Weather data is still collected for informational purposes.
Last Snowfall
Oct 31
Past 24 Hours
7cm
Past 48 Hours
9cm
Past 10 Days
9cm
7-Day Forecast
0cm
Snow Depth
--
Powder Days
17
2026 season
Bluebird Days
1
2026 season
Solid
2026 season average
Rainbow is projected to open July 25, 2027. Last season it averaged 37.6 across 20 verified open days.
Best months to book
- #1August16cm avg · last season 36.5
- #2September16cm avg · last season 40
Best weeks to book
- #1 25 Aug – 31 Aug · last season 40.3
- #2 18 Aug – 24 Aug · last season 32.7
- #3 1 Sep – 6 Sep · last season 40
Ranked on 25% last season's SnowSure score (2026) · 75% 30-year snowfall and base-depth record. Last season's strongest fortnight was 23 Aug – 5 Sep. One season describes what happened, not what to expect. The live score returns when the lifts turn.
Current Conditions
Reported Fri, Oct 30, 09:08 PM UTC
Terrain
Projected to open Jul 25
Projected to open July 25, 2027 · season ended September 6, 2026
15 runs · 5 lifts — live counts and the SnowSure™ Score return when the lifts turn.
Snow Summary
Updated Oct 30 at 9:08 PM
Days 8–14 and every model are in SnowSure Pro.Unlock with Pro
No measurement at mid height (1,598m) reached us: past snow shown is the model's estimate at the summit.
Maps
All maps for Rainbow →
Webcams & Proof of Powder
Live cams, snow stakes, and verified storm footageAll webcams & Proof of Powder →
About Rainbow
Rainbow Ski Area is located in the Nelson Lakes region of New Zealand’s South Island, offering a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere with panoramic alpine views. The resort features a variety of terrain suitable for beginners through advanced skiers and snowboarders, including groomed trails, natural features, and a terrain park. Key amenities include equipment rentals, a licensed café, and snow sports lessons, making it accessible for both day visitors and groups. Rainbow stands out for its welcoming environment, scenic setting, and commitment to providing an enjoyable alpine experience for all ages.
Read the full resort guide →Frequently asked questions about Rainbow
- Where is Rainbow?
- Rainbow is a ski resort in New Zealand.
- How high is Rainbow?
- Rainbow runs from a base elevation of 1,438 m (4,718 ft) to a summit of 1,758 m (5,768 ft), giving a vertical drop of 320 m (1,050 ft).
- How big is Rainbow?
- Rainbow has 741 acres (300 hectares) of skiable terrain, 15 marked runs and 5 lifts.
- Which ski pass covers Rainbow?
- Rainbow is on the Chill Pass. Access terms such as blackout dates and day limits vary by pass tier, so check the pass operator for the current season.
- When is ski season at Rainbow?
- Rainbow typically operates from July to September. Exact opening and closing dates shift each year with snowfall — check the resort's current season dates before booking.
- How much snow does Rainbow get in a typical season?
- Rainbow averages 39 inches / 99 cm of snowfall in a typical season. Any individual season can run well above or below that.
- How will El Niño affect Rainbow in winter 2026?
- El Niño Signal: under review — this station's record has an era discontinuity. We publish the station as under review rather than ranking a broken series.
