Global Weekly Snow Roundup #337

• Alpine Skiing World Cup 26-27 Tour starts this weekend in Austria.
• Just a handful of ski areas are still going in the southern hemisphere for 2026, some weekends only.
• Number of glacier ski areas open in the Alps climbs to double figures.
• First turns on North American snow before resorts open for season.

As we pass the midpoint of meteorological springtime south of the equator, and are only six weeks from meteorological wintertime in the north, the number of ski areas open in the northern hemisphere now outnumbers the total in the southern by three to one. More ski areas in Chile and New Zealand have closed for 2026 whilst more resorts with glaciers or big snow farming operations have opened in the north.

The past week brought another round of mixed conditions across the Alps. Warm air pushed the freezing level back up towards 4,000m going into the weekend, leaving high‑altitude slopes soft by afternoon even on the major Alpine massifs. More recently, temperatures have dipped again, briefly dropping towards low‑mountain elevations and allowing scattered snow showers to return along with limited overnight snowmaking on higher terrain. The result is a patchwork picture across the Alpine nations, with early‑season operations gradually increasing but still well behind typical mid‑October momentum.

Switzerland, Italy and Austria remain the focal points of early autumn skiing. Austria, in particular, is drawing global attention as it prepares to host the opening men’s and women’s races of the 2026–27 Alpine Skiing World Cup on high glacier terrain this weekend. Course officials have confirmed excellent race conditions thanks to extensive snow farming and pre‑season stockpiling, a technique increasingly vital during warm autumn spells. More Alpine glacier zones in Switzerland are also expected to join the early‑season selection this weekend, though many have faced delays due to persistent sunshine and marginal snowmaking temperatures.

Across Scandinavia, the story has been dominated by clear skies and sharp overnight freezes, ideal for preserving early October snowfall and supporting the region’s expanding snow‑farming programmes. Sweden, Norway and Finland now have multiple options available, including both downhill terrain and early‑season cross‑country loops created from recycled snow.

In North America, a series of autumn storms has delivered significant snowfall to the Rockies and other high ranges, sparking pre‑season enthusiasm as major US and Canadian mountains count down to early November opening dates. Several high‑altitude centres are racing to be first to launch the 2026–27 season, supported by strong snowmaking windows.

In the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand’s South Island season has now concluded after a late burst of snowfall, while North Island slopes continue to open at Turoa for at least one more weekend with fresh snow and expanded upper‑mountain terrain. Chile, meanwhile, has enjoyed an exceptional late season in the Andes, with multiple centres extending operations well into October thanks to deep spring snowpacks. Valle Nevado is set to continue into early November, marking one of the longest-running seasons in the region.