Southern Hemisphere Weekly Snow Roundup #285

• Only two ski areas remain open in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Mt Ruapehu’s Whakapapa and Turoa still offer limited spring skiing.
• Valle Nevado ends a strong 2025 season with 442cm (174") snowfall.
• Australian resorts close following snow loss at Mt Mawson.

New Zealand Ski Season Update and Snow Forecast 2025

Only two ski areas remain open in the southern hemisphere, both located on Mt Ruapehu in New Zealand’s North Island, after the last ski areas in Australia and the South American Andes closed over the weekend.

Whakapapa (55/65cm / 22/26”) and Turoa (0/81cm / 0/32”) ski areas remain the last still open. Conditions are becoming more spring-like, although overnight lows still reach freezing. Daytime temperatures hover around 8°c. Both have about 6 km/4 miles of slopes remaining open, which accounts for roughly 15% of their total terrain.

New Zealand Snow Forecast
At Whakapapa, the spring thaw persists under mostly cloudy skies. Temperatures will remain between 0°C and 12°C, with a brief chance of light snow flurries at altitude on Thursday and Friday. Winds will increase midweek, but no significant snowfall is expected before the season concludes. Nearby Turoa similarly reflects this pattern, with variable cloud cover and mild daytime highs around 10–12°c. Although the snowpack remains thin, a dusting of snow may appear on the upper slopes later in the week.

Mountains in the Otago region on the South Island will see some significant snowfall over the next few days.

Australia End-of-Season Summary 2025

The operators of Mt Mawson in Tasmania decided not to reopen their lift over the weekend due to a loss of snow cover, despite some recent snowfall. The centre issued a statement on Friday: "Our experienced tow manager and lead ski patroller have just updated us that we have lost too much snow in key parts of the tow run and, even with the forecasted snow, it would not be safe to operate. Thanks to all our volunteers who were on standby for this late in the season's operating potential!"

South America Ski Season Review 2025

Chile's Valle Nevado, which had been the last ski area still open for 2025 in South America, also closed its season over the weekend. It released an end-of-season summary noting a significant year-over-year increase in skier visits, a total snowfall of 442cm (174 inches), including a powerful storm that brought 1.5m (five feet) of snow just in time for peak season skiing and elite training. “We’re proud of what this season represents, not just in terms of visitation, but in the consistent quality and hospitality we’ve been able to deliver,” said Ricardo Margulis, General Manager of Valle Nevado.