About the same time every year, a strange creature emerges from the New Zealand countryside: the New Zealand skier
In this article, we study the New Zealand skier: a curious creature driven by optimism, weather forecasts and the belief that the next snowfall is always just around the corner. We also investigate a little-known condition that appears to affect the species every winter – an inability to remember what happened last year.
Normally hibernating through the warmer months of summer and autumn, this curious species can often be found living perfectly normal lives. They go to work, mow their lawns, attend meetings, and generally blend into society without attracting attention.
Then May arrives
Something changes.
Scientists have yet to fully understand the phenomenon, but as temperatures begin to drop, a part of the skier’s brain suddenly activates. Excitement levels rise. Weather apps are checked hourly. Snow forecasts become a topic of serious discussion. Terms such as “southerly blast” and “freezing level” enter everyday conversation.
Weather forecasting becomes a daily ritual. The skier will consult MetService, NIWA, three international weather models, two Facebook groups and a bloke called Dave who once correctly predicted a snowfall in 1992.
One of the defining characteristics of the New Zealand skier – and perhaps skiers everywhere – is an overwhelming commitment to optimism.
The moment a single snowflake touches the ground, ski season is officially underway.
It doesn’t matter if there are only three centimetres of snow. It doesn’t matter if the ski field isn’t open.
The season is on!
The gear comes out of storage. Skis are waxed. Accommodation is discussed. Road trips are planned. Social media fills with blurry photos of distant mountain tops taken through car windscreens.
If there is a narrow strip of snow somewhere in New Zealand, the skier will find it.
They are willing to travel hundreds of kilometres, wake up before dawn, and spend several hours in a car for what can generously be described as “limited skiing opportunities”. To the skier, this is perfectly reasonable behaviour.
Researchers have discovered that the phrase “next week’s looking good” can be repeated continuously for up to eight weeks without affecting the skier’s enthusiasm.
However, the New Zealand skier has another interesting characteristic
While naturally optimistic, it can also become alarmingly pessimistic with remarkable speed.
If the snow disappears, panic often follows.
“The season’s over.”
“It’s a terrible year.”
“We’ll never get another snowfall.”
“It’s all finished.”
These calls can often be heard echoing across social media during May and June. This is particularly fascinating because the same thing happens almost every year.
Then the panic sets in
A casual observer might assume that winter had been permanently cancelled.
One particularly interesting behaviour is the annual declaration that “this is the worst start to a season ever.” Historical records suggest this statement has been made almost every year since records began.
You find this trait more prominent in the young of this species.
Veteran skiers know better.
By August, many of these same individuals will be standing in a lift queue after a metre of fresh snow, claiming they always knew it was going to be a great season.
Perhaps the most fascinating characteristic of the New Zealand skier is its apparent inability to remember previous winters
Researchers have studied this phenomenon for decades. Every year, the skier experiences exactly the same cycle. Early snow falls. The excitement builds. The snow melts. Panic sets in. Social media declares winter cancelled.
Then, almost inevitably, winter arrives.
Yet somehow, by the following May, the entire process has been forgotten.
Scientists refer to this as “Seasonal Snow Memory Loss Syndrome”.
Symptoms include declaring the season ruined before it starts, repeatedly asking where the snow has gone, and completely forgetting that exactly the same thing happened last year.
And the year before that. And probably the year before that as well.
Curiously, the skier possesses an extraordinary ability to remember a powder day from fourteen years ago, yet appears unable to remember what happened at the start of last season.
Researchers remain puzzled by this condition. Despite occurring every year, there is currently no known cure. The best treatment appears to be 30 centimetres of fresh snow and a bluebird day.
MORE READING
The New Zealand skier is, after all, a creature powered almost entirely by hope
They spend months waiting for winter, celebrate every snowflake as if it were a national holiday, panic whenever conditions aren’t perfect, and somehow convince themselves every year that this season will be the best one yet.
And perhaps that’s exactly why we love them.
Because deep down, every skier believes the next storm is just around the corner.