Massive Snowfall Blankets Chile: Up to 2 Metres Hits Andes Resorts

• Australia’s Resorts Roar to Life with Early Openings and Deep Bases
• New Zealand's Mt Hutt Leads Southern Hemi with 80% Terrain Open
• Argentina Set for Major Snow Dump: Up to 80cm Expected This Weekend
• Hotham's Blue Ribbon Lift Opens Early, Unlocking Epic Advanced Terrain

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE INTRO

A mostly positive picture in the Southern Hemisphere, with Chile seeing most of its ski areas now open, New Zealand the same, and the last Australian centres that hadn’t already opened also joining them. The resorts that have already been open for a week or two have been expanding the terrain they have open. Fresh snowfall has been reported for Australia, New Zealand, and the Andes this week, with Chile seeing the biggest falls of the last seven days. Argentina is the country that lags behind a little of the four main Southern Hemisphere ski nations. There are only a couple of centres open here so far, with limited terrain available as bases have not yet built up much. However, there have been snowfalls this past week, and things should improve, with several centres planning to start their seasons on the upcoming final weekend of the month.

AUSTRALIA REPORT

Australia’s alpine season continues to gather pace with the last of the country’s full resorts, Selwyn and Charlotte Pass, joining in, while already-open areas added more skiable terrain from Saturday, 21 June. At the country’s largest resort, Perisher (40/50cm / 16/20”), the iconic Blue Cow area is now open, with lifts including Early Starter, Summit, and Terminal Chair providing access to popular runs like Zali’s. It now has about a third of its runs open. “Huge thanks to our mountain operations team for working so hard to get this resort area open this early in the season,” said Nathan Butterworth, Perisher’s Vice President & General Manager.

Thredbo Resort (35/61cm / 12/24”) has the Supertail open from the weekend, plus High Noon, Cruiser, and Friday Flat, and has the deepest base in the country. Over at Falls Creek (45/55cm / 18/22”), both the Ruined Castle and Scott Chairlifts are now spinning, expanding access to a wide variety of intermediate and advanced terrain. These lifts give guests access to runs like Scott Race Course, Shadow Ridge, and the scenic Ruined Castle area. “Temps dropped to a low of -5.6 degrees this week and the snowmaking team has been making the most of the chilly conditions with the snow guns running at every opportunity,” said Richard Phillips, Falls Creek’s Vice President & General Manager.

Meanwhile, at Hotham (40/50cm / 16/20”), the legendary Blue Ribbon lift spun for the first time this season, unlocking advanced terrain beloved by seasoned riders. The opening marks a significant milestone at an early point in the season, offering access to some of the resort’s steepest and most exhilarating runs. It now has 55% of its terrain open. “This is a chairlift that typically opens later in the season, so we’re all excited to be opening it early and giving our guests the time of their lives as we head towards our busy school holiday period,” said Tina Burford, Hotham’s Vice President & General Manager.

Also at Hotham, the brand-new dedicated Big D Terrain Park is now open. It features a progressive top-to-bottom park with jumps, rails, boxes, and jib features, all serviced by the Big D Quad Chair for fast park laps. This new Terrain Park is already receiving great feedback from local snowboarders and skiers and is sure to become a new favourite feature at Hotham. Although it’s still early days, so far this season Aussie snowfall totals have exceeded expectations, with consistent snowmaking and natural falls combining to deliver excellent early-season conditions. Wednesday, 25th June, saw another round of good snowfalls, with most centres posting 30cm / 12”+ accumulations in the previous 24 hours.

AUSTRALIA FORECAST

A significant snowstorm is currently underway that's expected to bring snowfall totals of 20–40cm (8–16") to most Aussie slopes by the start of Thursday. Overnight lows down as far as -10°C, with daytime highs only a little above freezing, should help with snowmaking efforts too. Drier and sunnier through the latter part of the week and into the weekend, with temperatures in the -6 to +6°C range.

NEW ZEALAND REPORT

More smaller ski fields in New Zealand opened at the weekend, although with fairly marginal conditions due to thin cover as snowfall mixed with rain and wind. Hanmer Springs Ski Area opened at the weekend with temperatures around minus 1°C and 3cm of snowfall. At the commercial centres, most are looking ever better with more snowfall reported this week and more terrain opening. Mt Hutt (91/132cm / 36/52") is leading the way with 80% of its slopes open already, the highest percentage (as well as one of the deepest base depths) in the Southern Hemisphere at this early stage in the season. The Remarkables (35/115cm / 14/46") are looking good too, with a third of their runs open already. Cardrona (60/87cm / 24/32") is also posting a healthy base. More areas are set to open this coming weekend, including Treble Cone Ski Area on Friday, 27th June.

NEW ZEALAND FORECAST

A cold and snowy next few days on the South Island, with temperatures mostly remaining below freezing and 20–40cm (8–16") snowfall accumulations expected by the end of the week. Sunnier and slightly warmer weather is expected on Saturday/Sunday for most. Mt Dobson starts its season on Thursday.

ARGENTINA REPORT

Unfortunately, the snowfall has not yet been as generous in Argentina as it has over the border in Chile, and most areas there remain closed while they await more. Cerro Bayo (0/10cm / 0/4”) has opened a beginner area with a 300m (1,000ft) slope but not its full slopes yet. The world's most southerly ski area, Cerro Castor, also reports some terrain now open down in Tierra del Fuego province. Caviahue reported a big snowfall but said it needs another before it can open. South America's largest ski area, Catedral near Bariloche, is also yet to announce an opening date. It is a fast-improving picture though, with PowderQuest reporting Las Leñas has had 50cm (20") and "likely double that at elevation" and says it will open this Saturday, June 28th.

ARGENTINA FORECAST

A much snowier forecast for northern Argentinian ski areas, which should see temperatures staying below freezing 24 hours a day and potentially 40–80cm (16–32") snowfall accumulations by the end of the weekend. Hopefully, it’s the boost needed to get the season going. Drier and sunnier but cold further south.

CHILE REPORT

Almost all of Chile’s ski areas have now opened, most starting their seasons on Friday or Saturday last week after reporting between one and two metres (40–80”) of snowfall over the previous week. Nevados de Chillan (50/100cm / 20/40”) reported the biggest two-metre (80") fall over seven days and opened for the season last Wednesday. First in the Andes to open, on the 12th, Valle Nevado (45/125cm / 18/50”) has since had over 1.2m (48”) of snowfall and is the first to report more than half of its slopes open. The linked areas of La Parva (45/125cm / 18/50”) and El Colorado (45/125cm / 18/50”) in the Tres Valles are also now open, having enjoyed similar snowfalls this week. Portillo posted 85cm (33”) of snowfall ahead of its planned opening day on Saturday, June 21.

CHILE FORECAST

Very low temperatures are forecast, with daytime highs at or a degree or two below freezing, and overnight lows below -10°C down to resort base levels. Sunnier in the northern Chilean Andes, although with some good snowfalls later in the week. Further south, there’ll be more snowfall, with accumulations totalling another 60cm (24") or so by Sunday.

LESOTHO REPORT

Afriski has had a dry week, with temperatures fluctuating between -10°C overnight and +7°C in the afternoon. Sunny weather after the big snowstorm a fortnight ago. Overnight lows allow for snowmaking to continue. The centre does not currently provide webcam coverage or snow condition information, but from social media posts, there appears to be a 400–800m long snow surface at present.

LESOTHO FORECAST

It looks like the dry spell is coming to an end again, with light snow showers expected to return in the latter half of this week.