Rainbow has a new crown jewel

A new groomer and upgraded snowmaking system are game changers for the Rainbow Ski Area this year with plans to open the season on 1 July.

The field’s new mountain manager, Andrew Malcolm, says the winch groomer will create better quality snow on the trails for locals heading up the mountain this winter.

“It’s definitely the crown jewel of Rainbow at the moment. It’s been a long time coming and we’re really excited to be able to offer it to the Top of the South this year. It’s a game changer for us.”

The expanded snow-making system is designed to get a good base established on the trails and enables the field to be more resilient, especially at the beginning and end of the season. The system needs cold temperatures to make snow on the groomed trails and that is already happening, he says.

Florida-born Andrew has been guiding glacier walks on the West Coast before taking up the role at Rainbow and his goal is to emphasise the community aspect so that it feels like a club field.

“We do a good job of running a professional operation, but I want to run it more like a club – a place where people know everybody. An old-style New Zealand that is a bit more relaxed is something I really valued coming to New Zealand.”

Part of the that goal is running mid-week sessions when there are fewer people on the slopes and it can be more social.

“People coming together for a common cause, which is skiing, and meeting great people as well,” Andrew says.

“People in Nelson are really lucky to have skiing so close and the vast amount of people coming to Rainbow are local.”

He says Rainbow has managed the past few years well, despite Covid-19 disruptions, and he attributes that to the local buy-in.

Community involvement has also been a “massive” help, such as working parties through summer to keep the area in good shape.

“At the end of the day we’re a ski field, but having the community behind us and supporting us in a variety of ways allows us to keep running and running well.”

This winter’s calendar includes the classic events like club championships and school racing, with the season winding up on October 1 if cold temperatures allow.