Oceania
Broken River Resort Guide
Solid · 2026 season average
Closed for the season · average of 44 verified open days
Best months to book: August, September · last season + 30-yr record
Scroll for happiness
Closed for the season — closed September 27
Weather data is still collected for informational purposes.
Last Snowfall
Sep 27
8d agoPast 24 Hours
0cm
Resort reportedPast 48 Hours
0cm
Past 10 Days
10cm
7-Day Forecast
1cm
Snow Depth
--
Powder Days
14
2026 season
Bluebird Days
2
2026 season
Resort Guide
Broken River is a club ski field located in the Craigieburn Range of New Zealand’s South Island, offering a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere with a focus on authentic alpine experiences. The resort features over 300 hectares of varied terrain, accessed by a unique system of rope tows, and is known for its powder snow, off-piste opportunities, and minimal crowds. Key amenities include on-mountain accommodation, communal lodges, and a social environment that encourages interaction among guests. Broken River stands out for its backcountry feel, friendly community, and emphasis on traditional skiing and snowboarding experiences.
Gallery
Click to expand • 10 total photos
Terrain & lifts
Resort-reported stats for Broken River
Lifts
5
Skiable area
1831.1 ac
Runs by difficulty(25 total)
Beginner
3
10% of terrain
Intermediate
10
40% of terrain
Advanced
12
50% of terrain
Run counts estimated from resort-reported totals and terrain mix.
Lift fleet
- Surface lift5
Resort Info
Season dates
Ski passes
Chill Pass
Access tiers change by season — confirm benefits on the pass operator's site.
Top Après Ski
Broken River Lodge Bar – Known for its welcoming, communal atmosphere, the lodge bar at Broken River is a favorite among skiers for its cozy alpine setting, craft beers, and lively après-ski gatherings that often feature local stories and camaraderie by the fire.
Season vs Historic
Updated Mon, Oct 5, 06:01 PM UTC
157cm
Season Total
This Season to Date
-9%
vs 5-Year Avg
172cm avg by now
+1%
vs 30-Year Avg
155cm avg by now
172cm
5-Yr Avg by Now
This season is at 157.1 cm to date. The last completed season totaled ~156.5 cm. That's 9% below the 5-year average (172 cm). Versus the 30-year baseline: near the 30-year average (155 cm).
Broken River Season Snowfall
Loading the ledger…
Broken River Snow History
Average annual snowfall is 185cm with an average of 35 snowfall days per season. The table below shows monthly averages across 30 seasons of archive data (modeled snowpack at mid-elevation).
| Month | Avg Snowfall | Snowfall Days | Avg Base Depth | Max Base Depth | Biggest Snowfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | 34cm | 6 days | 10cm | 23cm | 13cm |
| July | 43cm | 7 days | 18cm | 32cm | 13cm |
| August | 38cm | 8 days | 19cm | 33cm | 12cm |
| September | 31cm | 6 days | 6cm | 19cm | 11cm |
| October | 28cm | 5 days | 2cm | 13cm | 12cm |
Source: SnowSure archive · Open-Meteo ERA5 reanalysis at mid-elevation. Depth is modeled, not resort-reported.
SnowSure Score by Month
Season 2026
32.8
Season Average
44 days scored
46
Best Day
17 Sep
0
Excellent+ Days
Scored 50 or above
3
Powder Days
6cm+ fresh snow
Highest-scoring days
August 2026
- 4428 Aug4cm
- 4231 Aug
- 4127 Aug19cm
September 2026
- 4617 Sep11cm
- 4318 Sep
- 416 Sep4cm
September scored highest for Broken River in 2026. Based on 44 days the resort was verified open. One season of scores describes what happened, not what to expect.
Season at a Glance
1 tracked seasonLast completed season(2026)
44 days
Aug 15, 2026 → Sep 27, 2026
Next season(2026)
Opens Aug 15, 2026
Through Sep 27, 2026
Multi-season averages will appear once SnowSure has tracked more than one full season.
Best Months to Visit
August
Peak Season
July
Peak Season
September
Good
June
Good
Note: Based on typical ski season patterns for this region.
Frequently asked questions about Broken River
- Where is Broken River?
- Broken River is a ski resort in New Zealand.
- How high is Broken River?
- Broken River runs from a base elevation of 1,425 m (4,675 ft) to a summit of 1,820 m (5,971 ft), giving a vertical drop of 395 m (1,296 ft).
- How big is Broken River?
- Broken River has 1,831 acres (741 hectares) of skiable terrain, 25 marked runs and 5 lifts.
- Which ski pass covers Broken River?
- Broken River 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 Broken River?
- Broken River 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 Broken River get in a typical season?
- Broken River averages 350 inches / 889 cm of snowfall in a typical season. Any individual season can run well above or below that.
