Mountainwatch

The Grasshopper is calling for 40–70cm+ across Queenstown/Wānaka this week ❄️
Potentially the biggest powder dump of the season! 🔥

Stay tuned at Mountainwatch for NZ forecasts Monday, Wednesday & Friday, all season long. 🏔️

This Side of Silence is the new film from Australian film maker Dylan Robinson.

"From the depths of Aotearoa New Zealand’s towering southern peaks and sprawling glacial valleys, This Side of Silence is a meditation on movement, feeling, and the quiet connection four individuals share with the mountains.

"Filmed and produced by Dylan Robinson, and shaped by the words and presence of Bianca Bratton, Mari Henderson, Drew Jolowicz and Kyle Boys, this short film explores what shifts within us in wild, remote places and why we keep returning."

Check it out: https://www.mountainwatch.com/Snow-news/this-side-of-silence-watch-the-full-film-by-australian-filmmaker-dylan-robinson/

The Grasshopper's Australian Forecast – Fragile Snowpack Faces Another Soaking on Tuesday Before Another Fine Stretch

Published early Monday, 24th August 2026

"The weather stays fine today, Monday, and you’ll want to make the most of it because another wet and nasty storm rolls through Tuesday, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. Rainfall totals of 30-50+mm are possible, which will take another sizeable bite out of our already diminished cover.

"Conditions clear up Wednesday, followed by an extended spell of mostly fine weather as high pressure dominates once again. Snowmaking conditions are looking marginal on Thursday and Friday, so there’s a chance the snow guns will get another run.

The weather starts getting stormier from mid next week, from around Wednesday or Thursday the 2nd or 3rdSeptember, with strong NW winds and rain building ahead of a likely cold change late in the week, with the slight potential for a little fresh snowfall. Cross your fingers but don’t hold your breath!........"

Read the full forecast at : https://www.mountainwatch.com/grasshopper/

The Grasshopper's NewZealand Forecast – A Wild and Windy Week with a Huge Midweek Powder Dump on the Cards

Published early Monday, 24th August 2026

"It’ll remain wild and windy for much of the week ahead, with gale to severe-gale northwesterlies continuing to affect lift operations while blowing in a messy mix of rain and high-level snow at times.

Precipitation will become particularly heavy over the South Island on Wednesday and Thursday as a strong storm moves in from the west. However, cold air briefly sneaking in from the south should turn it all to heavy snow over the lower South Island and dampen the winds for a time.

Accumulations could be huge over the Southern Lakes and Mackenzie Basin, with 40-80+cm on the cards, while central Canterbury could score a more modest 10-25cm. There’s still plenty of uncertainty around the forecast, though, so keep your eye on it..............."

Check today's full analysis at: https://www.mountainwatch.com/grasshopper/ -zealand

The Grasshopper's Australian Forecast – Make the Most of the Sunshine Before Another Soaking on Tuesday

Published early Sunday, 23rd August 2026

"The weather stays fine on Monday, and you’ll want to make the most of it because another wet and nasty storm rolls through Tuesday, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. Rainfall totals of 20–40mm are expected, which will take another sizeable bite out of our already diminished cover. Conditions gradually improve Wednesday, followed by an extended spell of mostly fine weather.

Extended forecast:

"The weather starts getting stormier from mid next week, from about Wednesday the 2nd September, with strong NW winds and rain building ahead of a likely cold change late in the week, with the potential for a little fresh snowfall the weekend of the 5th and 6th September."

Full the day-by-day analysis at : https://www.mountainwatch.com/grasshopper/