Ski and Snowboard News, Deals, and Events

It's now mid-season in the Southern Hemisphere. Ski resorts in Australia, New Zealand, and South America all got off to a strong start in June, but while some are now experiencing a mid-seaon lag others are boasting waist-deep powder conditions. 

New Zealand kicked off the season in June with plenty of pre-season snow: Mt Hutt opened June 12 with one metre (3.3 feet) and Ski Dobson opened June 20 with 1.3 metres (4.3 feet). Great conditions have continued for New Zealand and, right now, it has some of the best skiing in the world with plenty of deep powder and sunny skies. Topping the snowfall chart is Mt. Lyford with 200cm/260cm and Mt. Dobson with 150cm/189cm. Up to 32cm of snow is forecast over the next seven days: 32cm in Treble Cone; 21cm in Mount Olympus; 13cm at Rainbow; and 10cm at Turoa and Whakapapa.

Australian resorts enjoyed consistantly low temperatures for the first couple of months this season, resulting in excellent snow conditions. A warm and wet weather front has moved in over the last few days so conditions have deteriorated somewhat, but temperatures are set to fall again by the weekend. The snowiest slopes in Australia right now are in Selwyn Snowfields (40cm/40cm) and Perisher (36cm/36cm). Up to 22cm of snow is forecast over the next seven days: 22cm in Falls Creek and Mount Hotham; 20cm at Mount Buller; 11cm at Perisher and Thredbo; and 8cm at Mount Baw Baw and Selwyn Snowfields.

The ski season in South America got off to a strong start this year with all resorts open by early-to-mid June. Up to 23cm of snow has fallen in Chile in the last week; El Colorado has the most powder with 140cm/220cm. Argentinian resorts have also benefited from recent snowfalls, but high winds have made conditions slightly less favourable. Up to 25cm of snow is forecast in South America over the next seven days: 25cm in Termas de Chillan; 22cm in Valle Nevado; 18cm in El Colorado; 17cm in Portillo; 17cm in Las Lenas; and 13cm in Cerro Catedral.