What winter at Lake Tekapo is like
Lake Tekapo lies at about 710 m in the Mackenzie Basin, and winter here is cold and mostly dry. In July the average daily maximum is 6.6 °C and the average minimum −2.8 °C (climate normals 1991 to 2020). Ground frost is common: on average about 26 days in July have it. The mountains around the lake turn white, and on clear nights the stars over the Dark Sky Reserve are an obvious reason to come.
Winter activities follow their own seasons. The ski areas usually open from late June or July to September, the ice rink at the hot pools runs from autumn into late winter, and evening stargazing runs all year. The Lake Tekapo stargazing tours and the hot pools are the two things you can book in every winter month.
Winter months in numbers
Average values for Lake Tekapo, climate normals 1991 to 2020. They describe typical conditions, not a forecast.
| Month | Average max | Average min | Precipitation | Ground frost days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May | 11.5 °C | 1.4 °C | 71.6 mm | – |
| June | 7.4 °C | −1.9 °C | 52.1 mm | About 24 |
| July | 6.6 °C | −2.8 °C | 50.3 mm | About 26 |
| August | 8.8 °C | −1.2 °C | 38.2 mm | About 25 |
| September | 12.4 °C | 1.0 °C | 33.8 mm | – |
June and July average about 144 and 149 hours of sunshine, which still says nothing about how many nights will be clear. July has the lowest average temperatures; May has the highest average precipitation of these months. There is no snow guarantee in any month.
Our pick: a winter night in the hot pools
Hot water and a guided look at the winter sky fit the cold months.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Winter tours at Lake Tekapo
Stargazing tours and the hot pools, bookable through the winter months.
Skiing near Tekapo
Roundhill, written as one word, is a ski area reached along the eastern shore. In 2026 the season ran from 27 June to 20 September, with lifts from 09:00 to 16:00. The base is at 1,350 m, the highest lift point at 2,133 m, a vertical of 783 m. The 2026 season is over; dates for 2027 come from the ski area itself.
The ski area is 32 km from Tekapo, about 35 minutes: first 24 km on Lilybank Road along the eastern shore, then 8 km on the access road. There is no public shuttle. Always carry snow chains. Signs show when chains must be fitted on two-wheel-drive cars and, in some conditions, on four-wheel-drive vehicles too. Check with your rental company whether you may drive the access road and use chains.
A second ski area
Mount Dobson is the other ski area within reach. It usually opens in the July school holidays and runs until mid or late September, depending on snow. The access road is 15 km from the main road; carry chains and fit them when instructed.
Ice skating, snow tubing and the hot pools
The winter extras at the hot pools on Lakeside Drive.
Ice rink at the hot pools
The ice rink is a seasonal artificial rink at the hot pools. In general it runs from mid April or May to the end of August, depending on weather. The current season is closed and the rink returns in April 2027. Helmets and skates are compulsory.
Snow tubing
Snow tubing is a seasonal extra, usually from April to October. A ticket covers 1 hour and riders must be at least 1 m tall. Book ahead and check that it runs on your date.
Hot pools
The three hot pools are 36.5 to 38.5 °C and are open in winter too. A day pass is NZD 42 for adults and NZD 25 for children (2026), with re-entry on the same day. Book ahead in the school holidays.
Hot pools guide →Neither Lake Tekapo nor Lake Alexandrina is a safe natural ice surface. Skate on the rink, not on the lakes.
Winter driving on State Highway 8
State Highway 8 runs through the village and is the alpine route into the Mackenzie Basin. Snow and ice can affect it in winter and also in spring, on the Lindis Pass as well as around Tekapo and Mount Cook. No date in the year guarantees snow-free roads.
Drive on the left. Before you set off, check the weather and the road conditions, learn how to fit your chains before you need them, and on snow or ice drive slowly and avoid sudden braking. There is no general all-year chain requirement on every part of State Highway 8, but signs can require chains on the day. Your route from Christchurch or Queenstown is on the getting there page.
Night skies in winter
Start times follow darkness, so stargazing tours begin earlier in winter. Tours run when the sky allows; clouds or a bright moon change what you see, and tours can switch to an indoor program. On the summit tour a warm jacket is provided, but you still need warm clothes and closed shoes. The tour in the hot pools runs on fewer evenings per week from May to September, so check the days before you plan. The southern lights are possible over the reserve on some nights but never guaranteed.
In winter time the grounds of the Church of the Good Shepherd are open from 09:00 to 17:00. In snow it is a quiet place for a short visit, and inside the church visitors may not take photos. More on the church is on the Church of the Good Shepherd page. If winter is not fixed for you, compare the other seasons on the best time to visit page. For a winter trip to Aoraki/Mount Cook, see our sister site on weather at Mount Cook.
Lake Tekapo in winter: frequently asked questions
Does it snow in Lake Tekapo village?
Snow is possible in winter, and the mountains around the lake are often white. There is no guarantee of snow in the village in any month.
How cold is Lake Tekapo in July?
On average the daily maximum in July is 6.6 °C and the minimum −2.8 °C, based on climate normals from 1991 to 2020. Ground frost occurs on about 26 days.
Is there a shuttle to Roundhill?
No public shuttle. You drive 32 km, about 35 minutes, via Lilybank Road and the access road, with snow chains in the car.
Can I ice skate at Lake Tekapo?
Only on the seasonal ice rink at the hot pools. It is closed until April 2027. The lakes are not safe for skating.
Do I need snow chains?
Always for Roundhill and Mount Dobson. On State Highway 8 there is no general all-year requirement, but signs can require chains in snow, so carry them in winter and know how to fit them.