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Conditions pretty good right now in Perisher, Australia. Snow in Australia, while the largest open ski areas and deepest snow are in South America. The Snow Headlines - July 18th - Snowfall returns to Australia, with more forecast. - Tignes due to end their 2024 summer ski season. - Ski areas in Argentina and Chile post 100km open terrain - largest in world since early May. - Argentinian ski areas posting world's deepest snow at 3.3m (11 feet). 
More snow forecast for Australia
World Overview The southern hemisphere's key ski nations have seen a third predominantly dry week, with some great conditions where there's plenty of snow lying in South America and at quite a few resorts now in New Zealand. The weather is gradually starting to change at most ski areas though and snow showers have been reported in Australia (where they're most needed) since the weekend, with some snow at more southerly centres in Argentina and Chile too, and more on the way. In the northern hemisphere, the main challenge is thawing snowpack on the seven glacier areas still open for summer skiing in Europe; five in the Alps, and two in Norway. Fortunately, the cold and snowy spring of 2024 has left several areas with the snow 3m (10 feet) deep still, which is a healthy stat for mid-July in the era of global warming and leaves them in a stronger position as temperatures continue to rise above freezing at 3,000m and higher. One resort is still open with lift-accessed ski slopes in North America too. Southern Hemisphere Australia After more than a fortnight of predominantly dry, sunny weather Australian ski areas began to see snow falling again at the weekend and that intensified through the start of this week. With the school holidays in full swing, resorts - which have been having to discount services due to limited terrain at most areas - will be hoping there's enough snow by the weekend to be able to open more. Perisher, with all four sectors at least partially open, has the most terrain available; about a third of its total terrain represented by about 22km of slopes. Thredbo is claiming a deeper base though at half a metre (Perisher's max is 35cm) but has only a quarter (12km) of its slopes open. Falls Creek and Mount Hotham have the highest percentages of terrain open, both at around 40%. Mount Buller though only has 5%. The cold and snowier conditions are expected to continue through the weekend with another 20-30cm of snowfall expected for most areas from a major Antarctic blast at the weekend. New Zealand Although they don't appear to have had any huge snowfalls, New Zealand's ski areas seem to be in better shape, on the whole, than their Aussie neighbours so far, at least in terms of terrain open. Several centres, including Treble Cone, are fully open and a number with more terrain, including Mount Hutt and Cardrona, are past 50% open with 25km or more of runs available. Some smaller centres without snowmaking, including Temple Basin, are still yet to open - reporting they need more snowfall. Whakapapa on Mount Ruapehu still only has a few hundred metres of slopes reported open. Base depths are a little better too, where centres are open, with most posting 50-70cm lying on upper slopes. Conditions have been and should continue to be fairly settled with plenty of sunshine, and temperatures in the -4 to +4C range. It's looking increasingly likely that snow showers will bubble up though, with fronts moving up from the south. Argentina After the dry weather that's lasted nearly three weeks now, fresh snow has begun falling on Argentinian ski slopes, if nothing like the heavy snowfall that kept dumping through May and June, so far at least. Temperatures have been as low as -11C overnight up high, +8/9C at resort bases mid-afternoon. Argentina is currently home to the ski area with the most open terrain anywhere in the world (that's Catedral with more than 96km or 80% of its slopes) open. It's also home to the deepest reported snow depth at any open ski area on the planet (Chapelco – 3.4 metres – more than 11 feet). So really a very promising picture for the first full month of the season. Chile We've had another predominantly dry, often sunny week in Chile, with fabulous conditions thanks to the huge amounts of May and June snowfall, leaving deep cover across the country's ski slopes and several centres including Portillo 100% open. The Tres Valles (or the "3 Valleys of the Andes") close to Santiago, which include the slopes of Valle Nevado, La Parva and El Colorado, have more than 120km of slopes open between them - the largest area in the world right now if we're including linked areas. It hasn't been entirely dry, with snowfall reported at more southerly destinations including Nevados de Chillan. The picture across the country for the coming week is looking more unsettled with snow showers increasingly likely. Southern Africa It's been the usual sunshine week in Lesotho but Afriski Resort continues to maintain its full mile-long run, alongside its beginner slope and terrain park features. Temperatures continue to drop a few degrees below freezing overnight and climb to +8 or +9C in the daytime giving freeze-thaw conditions for the snowpack. Europe There are seven glacier areas currently open in Europe, but Tignes, now the only centre open in France, is expected to close this weekend after just under a month of summer ski operations. The weather has been predominantly good after spells of unsettled, stormy weather brought rain to high elevations in the Alps, and northerly latitudes in Scandinavia, along with strong winds and low visibility, temporarily closing some areas. Currently, Zermatt (its ski area also accessible from Cervinia), Hintertux and Saas-Fee each have the most terrain open – between about 15 and 20km each. Italy's Passo Stelvio and Norway's Fonna and Galdhopiggen areas each have about 5km of lift-accessed skiing available. North America There remains just the one centre, Timberline on Mount Hood in Oregon, that's still open in North America. There are a few miles of slopes open on the Palmer snowfield where temperatures have been in the 60s Fahrenheit this last week, with another week of mostly sunny conditions. That's the forecast for next week again too! |
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The skies cleared, at last, for Portillo, Chile, after loads of snow. Snow finally stops falling in South America, with clear and sunny weather for most of the southern hemisphere ski areas. The Snow Headlines - July 11th - Argentina's Catedral reports 96km (60 miles) of slopes open, the most in the world at present. - Switzerland's Saas Fee opens for summer skiing and the 24-25 season. - Sunny weather dominates across southern hemisphere ski regions. - France's Les 2 Alpes ends 23-24 season and Val d'Isere ends 2024 summer ski season too. - Several New Zealand ski areas reach 100% open for the first time this season. 
A little more snow in the J2Ski forecasts
World Overview After the big snowfalls in the Andes and Patagonia over the past few months, it's finally been a mostly dry, sunny week in South America. Resorts there have been able to open more terrain with the settled conditions and are now posting the largest open areas in the world at present - as well as the deepest fresh snowfall. Dry and sunny for Australia and New Zealand too, but that's more the story of the season there so far and Australian areas continue to battle to open terrain with little natural snowfall as yet. New Zealand's ski areas are in better shape with more in the 50-100% open range, compared to most with 5-40% open in Australia. In the Northern Hemisphere, it has been dry and sunny at the one open area in North America. The total number of areas open in the Alps has now dropped to five, with two small centres still open in Norway too. Southern Hemisphere Australia After the snowfall at the start of last week, sunshine has been dominating Australian weather again for much of the past fortnight. There have been some cold nights, however, allowing snowmaking to continue which in turn has allowed Aussie centres to progressively open more terrain. That said though, we are still some way off full operations and with not much fresh snowfall in the forecast - and temperatures expected to be a little warmer next week than they were last, it's not looking like there'll be a change any time soon. Most resorts are 5-25% open only. The largest Australian ski resort, Perisher, is posting the most open terrain in the country with all four sectors of the resort operating, albeit limited to about a third of the total runs. Falls Creek only has a few kilometres less skiing available, representing 40% of their slopes, whilst Mount Buller has just 5% of its runs available (less than 2 miles of terrain). New Zealand Recent snowfall and more stable weather conditions have allowed ski areas in New Zealand to open more terrain this week. Mount Dobson and Treble Cone are the first in the country to report being fully open for the 2024 season, with the latter also posting the country's deepest base, at nearly a metre. Cardrona, which has two-thirds of its runs open, has the most piste km available in the country so far, 25km of runs. Mount Hutt ( 55% open ) is not far behind on 22km, the same as Treble Cone. Conditions are still far from perfect and a number of New Zealand's smaller club fields don't yet have enough snow to open. Unfortunately, skies have been clear and temperatures climbing this week so there's no positive change expected imminently. It's getting cooler but will stay sunny for most places into next week. Argentina Argentina's ski centres are in great shape with all now at least 80% open and some at 100%. That includes the southern hemisphere's largest area, Catedral, which has hit 96km (60 miles) of open slopes, by far the most in the world at present. Snow depths are also very healthy, despite a sunny week, thanks to the big accumulations earlier in the season. Several other ski resorts are close to the 3m (10 feet) deep mark on their higher slopes, including Chapelco and Las Leñas. The latter is famed for its deep powder freeride terrain but some years fails to get any, so 2024 is looking good there so far. Sunny weather will continue into the weekend for most areas but it is looking more unsettled from Sunday/Monday with snowfall expected to return midweek. Chile It has been a predominantly dry week in Chile but all of the country's ski areas are reporting great conditions thanks to the huge snowfalls of May and June. The 'Tres Valles' area close to Santiago, where the ski areas of Valle Nevado, La Parva and El Colorado/Farellones are 80% open (with a collective total of more than 100km of slopes) is another claimant for "most terrain currently open in the world". Portillo and Villarrica are now fully open. The sunny weather is expected to continue into next week, with the longer-term forecast pointing towards a return of winter towards the middle of next week with snowfall arriving from the south. Southern Africa Lesotho's Afriski is keeping its main slope open despite temperatures climbing towards double figures above freezing in the afternoons. Overnight lows continue to dip well below freezing allowing snowmaking systems to operate as required. Mostly sunny as usual; although there was a period of cloud and light natural snowfall earlier in the week. Europe There's been more unsettled weather in the Alps this week and that's set to continue through the weekend. Along with strong wind and potential lightning strikes, there's more rain, sleet and snow in the forecast, although with the freezing point moving between 3000m and 4500m altitudes and temperatures on glaciers hardly getting below freezing, even overnight, it's looking more like rain unfortunately. Saas-Fee is now open for its 2024 ski season and, kind of, 24-25 season, as operations will continue through autumn into next winter. It joins neighbouring Zermatt, as a second Swiss option, also accessible from Cervinia on the Italian side. France has dropped from three centres open to just one, Tignes, with Les 2 Alpes and Val d'Isere ending their summer ski seasons last weekend. Hintertux in Austria and Passo Stelvio in Italy are also open, the latter seeing famous downhill racer Sofia Goggia return to ski fitness there this last week. Up in Scandinavia, where the weather has had a similar mix, Norway's Fonna and Galdhopiggen glaciers remain open with a few miles of slopes open each. North America Timberline in Oregon is the only lift-served ski area currently open in the US/North America. The Palmer Snowfield on Mount Hood there has a few miles of slopes and a terrain park open in the mornings but the snow is thawing pretty fast in the afternoons under the warm West Coast sunshine and not getting an overnight re-freeze any more. It's below 2m at the top now and dropping fast, but will hopefully make it to August as usual. Forest fires are a problem in the region too, with Mount Baldy in California to the south currently threatened. |
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Perisher, Australia, looking pretty good after 20cm of fresh this week... Almost everywhere now open in the Southern Hemisphere, with Argentina and Chile enjoying great snow. Conditions improving in Australia and New Zealand. The Snow Headlines - July 4th - Portillo last to open in Chile, but reports more snow on opening day than season average. - Les 2 Alpes and Val d'Isere expect to end summer ski seasons this weekend. - Mount Hutt first ski area in New Zealand to reach 50% of slopes only. - Saas Fee opening for summer ski season. - Deepest snow in southern hemisphere passes 3 metre (10 feet) mark. - Less than three months until the 24-25 winter season starts in Lapland. 
A little more snow in the J2Ski forecasts
World Overview July is the start of the southern hemisphere's core season with peak school holiday weeks. The good news is that all of the main ski nations have had significant snowfalls over the past week and temperatures have stayed low. The last of the big-name resorts in the Andes, Australia and New Zealand have also opened to start their seasons. The latest snowfall - about a foot (30cm) for Australia and New Zealand, their biggest falls so far in an initially dry start to the 2024 season – has been described as a 'game changer', allowing most areas with only 5-20% of their slopes open so far the chance to add more terrain. In Argentina and Chile, resorts had already passed their usual season totals as they started their winter operations, with some including recently opened las Lenas and Portillo reporting more than 6 metres fallen so far and other areas still battling to re-open access roads. So here more snowfall is not really needed (for now at least). Elsewhere, resorts in the Alps are still trying to get back to normal after storms and floods almost a month ago. Several more glacier areas in the Alps will end their summer opening this weekend, whilst Saas Fee is expected to start its 24-25 season (beginning with their summer skiing). Two small areas remain open in Norway too and it's been cold enough in northern Europe for a dusting of snowfall on Scottish peaks on Thursday morning. There's one outdoor lift-served ski area still open in North America for Independence Day this week. Southern Hemisphere Australia There was a welcome boost for Australian ski areas last weekend with the biggest snowfall of the season so far, bolstering snow depth by up to a foot. Unfortunately, as there had been so little snowfall previously, that's not been hugely transformative, but nonetheless, the amount of open terrain does continue to edge upwards. It's been mostly dry and sunny since the snow but overnight lows have allowed snow guns to continue blasting out the machine-made stuff. Perisher is leading the way with about a quarter of its slopes open now. Charlotte Pass, Australia's highest centre, is due to open this Friday after a delay caused by a fire in May. The centre says it is now fully functional and good to go. New Zealand New Zealand has seen a good snowfall too, following on just as the snow stopped falling in Australia. 20-30cm accumulations were reported on Monday through Tuesday which one ski area manager described as a "game-changer" after the fairly dry June left most ski areas in the region struggling to open more than 10-20% of their terrain and some smaller areas were forced to delay opening completely. Mount Hutt became the first centre in NZ-Australia to report half its slopes were open at the weekend and Cardrona is not far behind. Treble Cone and Turoa (now run separately to nearby Whakapapa) were among the areas opening for their 2024 seasons at the weekend. Argentina Argentina has seen some spectacular snowfalls over the past two months and is home to the first ski area in South America and the southern hemisphere to post a 3m+ base already - a stat that's not reached anywhere south of the equator in some years (and not seen for a few years recently). The major ski area of Las Lenas finally opened last weekend after a few week's delay due to too much snow and high avalanche danger, posting a 2.9m base, one of its healthiest snow depths for many years, allowing access to its extensive upper mountain freeriding terrain, which doesn't open at all in dry winters. Chile Chile has had a sensational start to the season with unprecedented snowfall totals now passing 6 metres in some areas. That's the dream start to the season in terms of snow depths but has also caused issues with blocked access roads and high avalanche danger. Portillo's opening was delayed by a week or so, but it did at the weekend with a base of nearly 3 metres and about two-thirds of its runs safely open. The linked La Parva – Valle Nevado area has the most terrain open in South America (and the world) at present, with over 50km between them. There was more snowfall at the start of this week but for most areas, it's been a drier week at last giving skiers the chance to enjoy the snow. Southern Africa Lesotho's Afriski continues to be fully open with its nearly mile-long main run, learners area and terrain park all operational. No real natural snowfall but low overnight temperatures allow snowmaking to continue. Neighbouring South Africa's Tiffindell remains closed and up for sale. Europe The Alps have taken quite a battering from storms in recent weeks, with Les 2 Alpes, Saas fee and Zermatt amongst those hardest hit. The weather has settled a little and there have been some good sunny days since the last of the dramatic conditions at the weekend. Temperatures have been yoyoing a good deal too with the snowfall line moving between 2500m and 4500m altitudes. That's resulted in some centres posting a big drop in their snow depths ...but also more light snowfalls at other times topping things up a few centimetres. In this mixed picture, two of the open French glaciers, Les 2 Alpes and Val d'Isere, are expected to end their summer ski seasons this weekend leaving Tignes the only area open there. In Austria, year-round Hintertux is currently the only centre open, with about 20km of slopes open. The glacier above Zermatt, which can also be accessed from Cervinia, remains open with its neighbour Saas Fee expected to open for its 2024 summer ski season (which then morphs into autumn and winter seasons so its kind of its 24-25 season start). Finally, Italy's Passo Stelvio also remains open with about 5km of slopes available. North America Timberline ski area on Mount Hood in Oregon is now the only lift-served centre operational in North America (outdoors at least, there is an indoor snow centre in New Jersey!). Usually open into August, sometimes to early September, it's had warm sunny weather leading to a fast thaw of the snowpack but it's still reported to be around 3m (10 feet) deep up top. There are a few miles of slopes and a terrain park, best conditions soon after dawn. There is also a hike-to terrain park operating primarily for those attending private summer snow camps at Copper Mountain in Colorado, but it's open to all from Fridays to Sundays each week. |
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It's been an epic start to the South American season, a slower one for Australia and New Zealand. In the northern hemisphere, open ski areas will be down to half a dozen glaciers by the end of the month.
Hotham, Victoria, Australia looking rather lovely this morning. Where to Ski in July 2024 July marks the start of full winter in the southern hemisphere. So far it has been a spectacular start in South America with the biggest snowfalls anywhere in the world this year so far. Snow totals have been the greatest in the Andes this century and there's no sign of it slowing down. New Zealand and Australia by contrast have had a slower start, battling for every kilometre of slope opening, so have some catching up to do. In Southern Africa, Lesotho's Afriski has its main run complete and open for the first time since the 2022 season. In the northern hemisphere, July is usually the month when the surviving summer glacier ski areas battle the heat to stay open. This year at least, most have a thick 'cushion' of snow on the glacial ice from above-average winter accumulations. The month starts with 10 operating in Europe and North America although about half are due to close before the end of the month. Southern Hemisphere Australia Australia has had a largely dry but cold June which has been good news for snowmaking but hasn't enabled resorts to build deep bases or open very much terrain so far. Unsurprisingly the largest centre, Perisher, has been opening the most with about a quarter of its terrain open. Most other centres are at 5-10% of their slopes open but with the best snowfall of the season so far (up to 25cm reported) in the final few days of June it is an improving picture as we start July. New Zealand Similar issues to Australia although there was a little more natural snowfall in June here and resorts opened with typically a few main runs open along with the beginner areas. However, more cold and snowy weather early in the month would definitely be a welcome boost as July starts with limited terrain open. Most of the commercial centres are now open although some of the volunteer club fields without snowmaking are not. South America It has been a pretty incredible start to the season in both Argentina and Chile with most centres on the continent opening weeks ahead of the planned main season start date on June 21/22. Reports of up to 6 metres (20 feet) of autumn snowfall before the season had begun led to claims that this is the best start to the season in 30 years and some centres are saying they'd already had more snowfall before the season started than their season average calculated each spring. So, in short, if you're lucky enough to already be in or near the Andes or can get there this July, 2024 is the year to go. Southern Africa Although, in the event, ski areas in South America were the first to open, weeks early due to all the snowfall, Lesotho's Afriski had been the first scheduled to open on 1st June, so 1st July marks the completion of the first month of its three month season. After not opening for skiing last year it's good to see the kilometre-long main run in place again, completed thanks to snowmaking efforts during low overnight temperatures. There has not been much natural snowfall so far this season. The region's other ski area, South Africa's Tiffindell, has not operated since 2019 and is currently up for sale. Europe Alps July starts with three resorts offering summer skiing in France – Les 2 Alpes, Val d'Isere and Tignes, each reporting snow depths of about 4 metres and 4-20km of slopes open. Summer ski seasons are nearing their end though and, unless it extends, Les 2 Alpes will complete more than 7 months of operations (now France's longest season), a week into the month. Val d'Isere will also close at the start of the month but Tignes is scheduled to continue through to the 21st. Hintertux is the only centre open in Austria now but is posting the largest area open in the northern hemisphere at about 24km (15 miles) of slopes and the deepest snow, just, at just over 4 metres. It should be open all month, as should Italy's Passo Stelvio area and the Matterhorn glacier paradise ski area above Zermatt in Switzerland, also accessible from Cervinia in Italy. Other than French areas closing the only other expected change this month is Saas Fee opening for summer skiing and its 24-25 season on July 8th. Scandinavia Two glaciers are currently open in the region, both in Norway, both with a few kilometres of slopes on offer and both are expected to stay open all month if not impacted by snowmelt. Galdhopiggen has Scandinavia's highest slopes whilst Fonna Glacier starts the month with the world's deepest snow lying at over six metres (20 feet). North America Just one ski centre is still open in North America as we begin July. The Timberline ski area on Mount Hood in Oregon has a few miles of slopes on its Palmer snowfield which are heavily used by ski teams for training, there's also a terrain park. There can be fresh snow anytime (7" was reported in a late June snowfall) but more typically it does get warm in the daytime so early morning snowsports are the order of the day. Hopefully, these will remain open through July. There's also a terrain park open weekends at Copper Mountain in Colorado and for the first three days of the month only, another at Mont St Sauveur in Quebec, Canada. |
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Portillo, Chile, will open on Saturday after more than 5 metres of snow in 14 days... Storms in both hemispheres cause problems (rain in the northern, snow in the southern); one Chilean ski area reports 5 metre base depth, while others in South America are blocked by heavy snow. The Snow Headlines - June 28th - Zermatt temporarily cut off, Tignes delays summer opening due to severe storms. - Portillo, Chile delayed opening last weekend (but will open this Saturday 29th), as access roads were blocked by snow. - Mount Hotham, Australia sees lowest temperature in Victoria state for 8 years. - Chile's Valle Nevado passes 5 metre mark for pre-season snowfall total. - Canadian ski centre opens summer terrain park for six days into July. - More huge snowfalls in Argentina lead Las Lenas to delay opening due to avalanche danger. 
Snow in the J2Ski forecast for the southern hemisphere
World Overview There's severe weather to report in both northern and southern hemisphere ski areas this week, both leading to closed slopes, but for different reasons. In South America still more huge snowfall, taking pre-season totals past 6 metres (20 feet) at some resorts, has led a number to delay planned openings due to blocked access roads, high avalanche danger and other related issues. Meanwhile, in the Alps, a violent storm at the summer solstice cut off Zermatt with storm damage to its road and rail access and led Tignes to delay its planned summer season start by a week. Elsewhere, in the southern hemisphere, Australia and New Zealand continue to suffer from too little snowfall to be able to open much, in dramatic contrast to centres across the south Pacific from them, but cold temperatures have allowed snowmakers to open some terrain. In the Northern Hemisphere, there are still a few centres open in North America and Scandinavia. Southern Hemisphere Australia Australia has seen some of its lowest temperatures in more than five years over the last week. It's still not had very much snowfall but those low temperatures have allowed resorts to open a few more runs by being able to run their snowmaking system to the maximum. Perisher has nearly a quarter of its terrain open now, both the highest proportion and the most piste kilometres in the country so far. Other centres are open but only with about 5-10% of their terrain so far. Mount Hotham has posted the lowest temperature in the Australian Alps for eight years at -8.3°C. It's staying cold with snow flurries but we're still waiting for signs of a 'proper big dump' arriving. New Zealand New Zealand is in a very similar situation to Australia with some good low temperatures but so far very little snowfall. Mount Hutt, which is posting the deepest base in the country so far with up to 50cm lying, did post a fairly decent dump on Sunday but most of what's open so far – and it's typically only 5-10% of slopes with Cardrona the outlier claiming 25%, is thanks to snowmaking efforts. Things do appear to be changing now, a little at least, with forecast snow set to improve things. Coronet Peak and The Remarkables are also already open, but with very limited terrain available so far and Treble Cone and Tūroa are due to open for their 2024 seasons this weekend too. Argentina One of Argentina's best-known ski areas, Las Lenas, which claims the southern hemisphere's largest domain if you include the vast freeride terrain (non-lift accessed), delayed its planned opening last week after another metre of snowfall in 24 hours took its pre-season accumulation total past 6 metres and set the avalanche danger level at extremely high. Last weekend was supposed to be the season start date for Argentinian areas that hadn't opened early though and several did manage to do so, including the continent's largest by uplift, Catedral, although it only has about 20% of its terrain open so far. Chile There have been still more incredible snowfalls reported in Chile with Valle Nevado posting over a metre of snowfall in 48 hours at the weekend and its snowfall total now past 5 metres for what should have been its opening weekend, although it had already opened weeks earlier because of all the snow. The huge accumulations are causing high avalanche danger though, limiting what can open, and some resorts like Portillo (which has passed 4 metres of snowfall so far this year) were completely closed as access roads were blocked, but is planning to open for this coming weekend. The snowfall has now eased a little in northern Chile but continues in the south. Southern Africa Afriski in Lesotho has its slopes fully open, helped in part by temperatures well below freezing overnight allowing for snowmaking top-ups. In the daytime highs have been around +8C. There's a mile-long main run, terrain park and nursery slopes. Sunny days and cold nights are expected to continue through next week. Europe - The Alps Tignes was due to open for a month of summer skiing last weekend, joining neighbour Val d'Isere and Les 2 Alpes to provide a third French option, however, it has decided to delay a week following bad weather last Friday. Violent storms bringing torrential rain led Zermatt/Cervinia to temporarily close operations last weekend too. The famous Swiss resort was briefly cut off from rail and road access by the severe weather. However Austrian year-round centre Hintertux - currently posting the most terrain open in the northern hemisphere at 23km (nearly 15 miles) of slopes - kept operating, as did Italy's Passo Stelvio. There were continued snowfalls on very high slopes through the start of this week but with the snowline sometimes up at 3000-4000m, this sometimes fell as rain to quite high elevations too. However the snowline also moved to lower levels at times, with Passo Stelvio seeing fresh snowfall well below the base of the ski area on Monday. Scandinavia After Sweden's Riksgransen briefly reopened for Midnight Sun – Summer Solstice skiing for a few days and nights (though it was hard to tell the difference) at the end of last week, we're back to two Norwegian glacier centres open, Scandinavia's highest slopes at Galdhopiggen and the centre with the deepest reported snow (7 metres up top) in the northern hemisphere, the Fonna glacier. Both have a couple of slopes open and report excellent conditions (for late June). North America After the snowfall in north-western North America last week there were reports of summer ski touring adventures and half-a-foot of fresh cover at the only centre still offering lift-access snow sports on the continent, Oregon's Timberline, but we've returned to more usual summer weather now with plenty of sunshine and temperatures quickly warming through the day, meaning the best conditions are in the first hours of the morning. There's a summer snow terrain park operating at Copper Mountain in Colorado and for this weekend through to July 3rd only, a temporary snow park at Mont Saint Sauveur in Quebec, Canada. |
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The Remarkables, New Zealand, is now open... Still more snow in South America, giving the snowiest start for 30 years in places, with more in the forecast. Summer snow in North America too. The Snow Headlines - June 20th - 2024 Season underway in New Zealand a day later than planned due to rain. - Austria's Molltal glacier ends 8-month 23-24 season but France's Tignes opens next weekend. - Snowfall down to resort base level across northwestern North America. - Another huge snowfall buries South American ski centres, snowiest season start for 30 years. - One centre still operating in North America after Colorado's Arapahoe Basin ends season. - More Australian resorts open ski runs as conditions improve. 
Another big snowfall forecast for South America
World Overview Today being the Summer Solstice means that winter has arrived in the southern hemisphere by both the astronomical and meteorological measures... and all the southern ski nations now have ski slopes open. New Zealand was the latest and last major southern hemisphere ski nation to get its 2024 season started last weekend, joining Australia, where colder snowier conditions have allowed more areas to open new slopes and those already open to add more. The real snow action continues to be in South America though where more huge snowfalls were recorded, meaning some centres have now had more than three metres (10 feet) of snow before the season was due to start this coming weekend. Most centres in the Andes already opened early, several weeks ago. In the northern hemisphere the good news is that the nights are drawing in (!) and we're just passing midsummer - so we're on our way to the start of the 24-25 season, just 5-6 months away for most resorts, although starting at Switzerland's Saas Fee next month, kind of (it's summer ski season normally runs into autumn, then winter seasons). For now though, we're down to single figures for ski areas open in the north – eight in Europe and one survivor in North America. Southern Hemisphere Australia Australia's lower temperatures and snowfall allowed more ski areas to open additional terrain. Among those now offering snowsports, that weren't a week ago, are Falls Creek (beginner runs opened initially then more terrain), Hotham (nursery slopes initially too, but now some longer runs and a mini terrain park) and Selwyn (just sledging so far). The centres opening more terrain included Perisher which reported all 167 snow guns firing overnight and their V8 Chairlift starting up for the first time this season. The weather has turned drier again with sunny days, temperatures dropping to -6C overnight so snowmaking continues but hits a rather warm +8C in the daytime which sets things back a bit again. New Zealand New Zealand's season stuttered into live at the end of last week although the two centres that had planned to open first, last Friday, had to postpone, in Coronet Peak's case because they didn't quite have enough snow lying yet, and in Mount Hutt's case because it rained on opening day. It though, along with Cardrona and The Remarkables did open on Friday. Conditions are far from perfect after a warm autumn, but last week saw colder temperatures arrive for snowmaking and a little natural snow. Mount Hutt and Cardrona both have some full length runs on offer, not just beginner terrain. More NZ resorts are set to open over the coming weekends. Most of the past week has been drier with temperatures in the -8 to +8C range, overnight lows allowing for more snowmaking. Argentina Argentina's season proper is due to get started this weekend although after the huge snowfalls on the country's ski slopes over the past two months, several resorts, including the largest, Catedral, have already opened early for the season. Another of the country's best-known areas, Las Leñas, is due to open for its season this weekend. It reports that it has had more than five metres of pre-season snowfall on its higher slopes, about 2.5 metres at resort level. There's much more snowfall forecast across Argentina's ski areas over the week ahead. Chile It just keeps dumping on the mountains of Chile, so much so that Portillo, which has already had 4 metres of pre-season snowfall, has decided to delay its full opening (scheduled for this weekend) by a week, as another 2.5 metres of snow is forecast over the coming 7 days, likely to continue to block the roads in and out. It says its the snowiest start to its season in 30 years. The snow has been dumping on all Chilean ski areas, most of which have already opened for the season well ahead of this weekend's official season start date. Southern Africa Lesotho's Afriski is the only outdoor centre open in Africa at present, with its main run, about a kilometre long, still complete. The past week has not been ideal with daytime highs of +10C and overnight lows only getting down a degree or two below freezing, sunshine dominating, but so far they're managing to remain open. Europe Last week's cold and snowy weather on alpine glaciers continued into the weekend, but it has finally turned much warmer and drier up above 2,500m and snowpack thicknesses are starting to drop. So we're into normal summer freeze-thaw conditions at present. The Hintertux and Zermatt glaciers (the latter also accessible from Cervinia) have the most open terrain, about 20km each. There are smaller areas open at Val d'Isere, Les 2 Alpes in France and Italy's Passo Stelvio. Austria is down to one area still open now after the Molltal glacier closed on Sunday after an eight-month season – the last non-year-round centre to close at the end of 23-24 in Europe. However we'll be back to six centres open by next weekend as Tignes is due to reopen. Two small glacier areas are open in Norway too, the Galdhopiggen and Folgefonn (Fonna) resorts, the latter posting the world's deepest snow still at about 7 metres. For this weekend only Riksgransen in Sweden's Arctic has also re-opened for some Midsummer skiing including skiing and riding under the midnight sun. The past week there has seen temperatures largely in the 0-5C range with a mix of rain, sleet and snow showers, sunny spells in between. North America Colorado's Arapahoe Basin ended a nearly eight-month long ski season at the weekend leaving just the Palmer snowfield above Timberline ski centre on Mount Hood in Oregon, still open in North America. That's unless you include the hike-to summer terrain park at Copper Mountain in Colorado, open to the skiing and riding public from Friday to Sunday each weekend. There are about three miles of slopes open and a terrain park at Timberline where the snow is still lying nearly 10 feet (3m) deep. It's had a mostly sunny week with overnight lows close to freezing but daytime highs into the 50s Fahrenheit. A little further north and east though there was an unusual "winter weather" warning in summer and resorts saw a dusting of snow and in some cases, particularly across Montana, rather more with snow briefly covering slopes right down to base level. |
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Perisher, Australia, just got fresh and will be opening more lifts... Some more big snow in South America, and enough to get started in Australia now - with more coming. The Snow Headlines - June 13th - Australia's season starts but only a few runs able to open; colder and snowier now though. - Passo Stelvio and Val d'Isere open for 2024 summer ski seasons in the Alps. - More big snowfalls in the Andes where more centres open early for 2024 season. - New Zealand's 2024 season proper starting this weekend. - One of Norway's glacier areas reports 1m of fresh snow in June, another will close soon. - Arapahoe Basin closing after this weekend leaving one North American area still open. 
More big snow forecast for South America
World Overview The southern hemisphere's season is now underway in all five countries with ski areas south of the equator, but it's quite a varied picture so far. South American resorts, which have opened weeks early, are being buried again by another huge system off the Pacific, while in Australia, where the season started last weekend, they've struggled to open much at all; although it has been colder and snowier this week. New Zealand's season starts this coming weekend and it looks like it'll be a mixed picture on opening day there too. In the northern hemisphere, two more glacier areas opened last weekend, but three centres plan to close this coming weekend. That'll leave only one centre still open in North America, and about eight in Europe. Snow has kept falling on high slopes in the Alps though and one glacier in Scandinavia says it had more than a metre of snowfall in the first week of June. Southern Hemisphere Australia Only a few centres (Mount Baw Baw, Mount Buller, Perisher and Thredbo) were able to offer any snowsports on their opening last weekend, and in each case just small beginner areas. There's been too little snowfall and temperatures mostly too warm for snowmaking over the previous few weeks. It's not that unusual a scenario for the start of the Australian ski season which always begins on the King's birthday holiday weekend whether there's snow or not. The good news is that it's been colder with some snowfalls since the start of this week, with most resorts reporting 20-30cm accumulations so far and snowmaking systems now working at max. So it is an improving picture. Temperatures have been as low as -8C overnight and up to 20cm of snowfall has been reported over the last few days. New Zealand New Zealand's ski season is expected to get underway this weekend with four of the commercial centres (Mount Hutt, Coronet Peak, Cardrona and The Remarkables) due to open. As with Australia a week ago it's not quite clear how much will be able to open. It doesn't look that promising but some posted pictures and webcams are looking snowier than Aussie centres did and the past few days have brought some colder, snowier weather. There is actually one small snow area already open at Whakapapa Ski Centre at Mt Ruapehu on the North Island but its full opening is a few weeks away yet. Argentina Argentina's largest ski area by uplift, Catedral Alta Patagonia near Bariloche, opened a fortnight early for its 2024 season at the weekend thanks to great conditions following the big May snowfalls. It has initially opened about 10% of its ski area, 12km of slopes. Two more centres, Cerro Bayo and Chapelco, have announced they'll open a week early this coming weekend. Argentina is back in the snow globe with cold temperatures and heavy snowfall across most of the country's ski region - which is expected to continue into next weekend giving some areas more than a metre of snowfall on higher slopes over the 7 days. Chile It's really the dream start to the season for Chile, already several weeks in at most of the country's resorts when it hadn't been supposed to start until the weekend after next. Another storm system brought some snowfall at the start of this week and that's now building with big accumulations expected through the weekend. The new La Parva – Valle Nevado pass has opened up the biggest lift-served ski area in South America (once everything is open) they are claiming. However, El Colorado is reporting the most terrain open so far – 40km of slopes, about 80% of its full area. Southern Africa Lesotho's Afriski remains open with its main run now complete, a small terrain park, tubing area and nursery slopes. After the snowfall last week it has been mostly sunny, as usual, but much colder overnight for top-up snowmaking and during the day to slow thawing. Europe The Alps Val d'Isere opened for a month of summer skiing on Saturday, posting a 4-metre base and about 4km of slopes open. Like other ski areas open for summer skiing its slopes have continued to experience snowstorms over the past week. It joins Les 2 Alpes as a second French option with Hintertux and Molltal still open in Austria and Zermatt in Switzerland, also accessible from the Italian side at Cervinia. Zermatt and Hintertux have the most terrain open – about 23km of slopes each. Italy's Passo Stelvio is also now open reporting about 5km of runs there. There's been more snowfall this week with Hintertux reporting 20cm in 24 hours above 2500m, on Monday. Scandinavia Sunny spells, rain, sleet and snow showers in Scandinavia this week with Fonna and Stryn continuing to post the world's deepest bases at around 6 and 5 metres, respectively. Fonna reported at the weekend that it has had over a metre of snowfall in the first week or so of June. Despite the snow lying and fresh snowfall, Stryn says poor winter conditions ahead of the season are leading it to close after a four-week 2024 season (similar to previous recent years) this coming weekend. The other open ski area in Norway is Scandinavia's highest at Galdhopiggen. North America There are two centres still open since last autumn in North America, but one of them, Colorado's Arapahoe Basin says this Friday to Sunday weekend opening will be its final one of a nearly 8 month ski season. That will leave just Timberline on Mount Hood in Oregon which has skiing on its Palmer permanent snowfield and terrain park features. The weather in the west has been mostly sunny with temperatures climbing up into the 60s Fahrenheit. |
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Portillo, Chile, where the 2024 season has started with some great early snow. Chile is just about fully open, Argentina following. Australia and New Zealand are about to open... and it's still snowing in Europe! The Snow Headlines - June 6th - Hintertux issues powder alarm after over 20cm in 24 hours on last day of spring. - Australia's ski season starts this weekend. - Italy's Passo Stelvio summer ski centre opens for 2024 season. - Arizona ski area opens in June for the first time. - Most ski areas in Chile open three weeks ahead of expected season start. - Southern Africa's 2024 season officially underway but ski run appears incomplete. - Last ski area open on US East Coast ends its 23-24 season on June 1st. - Brief, limited skiing starts New Zealand's 2024 season, kind of. 
Big snow forecast for South America
World Overview It's wintertime in the southern hemisphere and summertime in the northern, at least by the meteorological measure of the seasons. Unsurprisingly that means that ski areas have started opening in the southern hemisphere and almost all have closed in the northern. There are some surprises though; firstly, almost all ski areas are open already in Chile three weeks ahead of schedule as there's been so much early snowfall. June has also begun with 'mid-winter' snow conditions on glaciers in the Alps after a powder alarm for snowfall on the last day of May. The 2024 season has also got underway, just about, in Southern Africa and New Zealand - although with very limited terrain openings there. Southern Hemisphere Australia Australia's season is just about here and it currently looks like there'll be some terrain skiable in most of the country's ski areas, almost all of which will open this Saturday for the long 'King's birthday weekend' with a public holiday on Monday in most states. It's not been the ideal build-up to the start of winter, as warm daytime temps have thwarted the limited snowmaking opportunities overnight and there's not been much of the natural stuff. But the start of this week has brought frosts and light snowfall (Perisher reported 10cm on Monday) as well as increased snowmaking opportunities, so we now wait to see what centres are able to offer on Saturday morning. So far Mount Baw Baw have said they'll have some nursery slopes open thanks to their all-weather snowmaking machine, but Selwyn say they won't have anything open. Perisher has said probably beginner terrain only there. New Zealand New Zealand's ski season is due to begin in just over a week on the Saturday after next with Mount Hutt, Coronet Peak, Cardrona and The Remarkables all set to open on the South Island. Whakapapa on the North Island opened a very small amount of ski terrain on Saturday within its Happy Valley area which has all-weather snowmaking. It was for those with their own equipment only but by Sunday warm temperatures and rain were blamed for it closing again. Conditions aren't looking ideal as the season nears with rather warm daytime highs persisting so it remains to be seen how much terrain is open for day one at the end of next week. Argentina Argentinian ski areas have not opened en-masse like those of Chile, despite seeing similar excellent May snowfall. However the country and continent's largest by uplift, Catedral near Bariloche, which was the first in the southern hemisphere to open some limited terrain for a few days in mid-May, says it will open for the main season (a fortnight early) from this coming weekend. After the huge May snowfalls, the weather has been a little less favourable this week with warmer temperatures and some rain - but it's now getting colder and snowier and down in the south Cerro Castor, one of the world's newer resorts celebrating its 25th season this winter, is seeing temperatures in the -5 to -20C range already. Chile Chile has got a jump on the 2024 season with almost all of the country's ski areas opening early last weekend. The move follows a cold and very snowy May, with some centres seeing up to 1.8m (6 feet) of snowfall in the final week of last month alone. Portillo and Valle Nevado were among the centres opening three weeks earlier than planned for the season, although most are only opening at weekends until the main season starts in a fortnight. A few ski areas are open every day already, including Lagunillas, Corralco and El Colorado, the latter posting the most terrain open anywhere in the world at the start of June - more than 45Km/25 miles of runs and about and about 80% of its terrain already. Portillo, which reopens Friday-Sunday, has the deepest snow in the region at 1.4m. The past week hasn't been so snowy, but there have been light showers among the sunny spells and it's looking similar for the week ahead. Southern Africa Lesotho's Afriski officially began its season on Saturday, June 1st, but although social media promo images showed skiers on snow, the webcam images initially showed piles of unconnected machine-made snow, so it looked like the ski run hasn't been completed yet. It is starting to look promising though with a light covering of snow on Sunday (which had gone on Monday), then more snowfall on Tuesday giving a much whiter picture. That's coupled with a drop in temperatures allowing snowmaking to work more effectively. Europe The Alps It's now down to four glaciers open in the Alps, with Austria's Kitzsteinhorn closing on Sunday after an 8 month season. Italy's summer ski centre Passo Stelvio had been due to open at the weekend which should have taken the total briefly to six, but it had to delay doing so until this Thursday, June 6th, due to continuing snowfalls and high avalanche danger above the pass road. Actually, the latest snowfall on the last day of spring last Friday was quite dramatic; the Hintertux glacier, one of the four that is still open, issued a powder alarm for over 20cm of snow in 24 hours and resorts like Livigno, long closed for the season, saw their resort streets turn white with snowfall as low as 1800m. Otherwise, temperatures have been as high as 25C in valleys although remaining close to freezing with snow showers (and some low visibility associated with them) at 3,000m. Les 2 Alpes in France has limited terrain open to the skiing public on its glacier too, but most of it is reserved for team training. The Molltal glacier in Austria's Carinthia province is in the final week of its 23-24 season and the year-round Matterhorn glacier paradise above Zermatt, also accessible from Cervinia over the border, also remains open. It and Hintertux have about the most terrain on offer, around 25km each. Scandinavia There are three glaciers open in Norway, placing it first in Europe and second in the world in terms of number of centres open right now. What's more, Stryn is posting the deepest snowpack on the planet at present at 6 metres (20 feet). Fonna is down to 5 metres, (joint second with Hintertux). Scandinavia's highest lift-served slopes at Galdhopiggen are also open. It's been a mostly sunny week but with strong winds as well as rain/sleet/snow showers at times and the week ahead looks similar. Temperatures are down to freezing overnight but climbing up towards double figures in the afternoons at Fonna and Stryn. North America We're down to two centres still open in North America. Colorado's Arapahoe Basin is open this Friday to Sunday and re-opening for a final weekend up to the 16th too. Oregon's Timberline also remains open. Two others made it into June; Killington with just about enough snow cover to maintain its Superstar trail and, for the first time ever, The Snowbowl in Arizona opened on June 1st with skiers and riders enjoying the slush in Hawaiian shirts. For the two still-open areas, it's mostly sunny weather in the forecast, with overnight lows still getting down near freezing, and daytime highs up around the 50s Fahrenheit, so the thaw continues. |
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