J2Ski Snow Report - July 17th 2025
J2Ski Snow Report - July 17th 2025
Published : 17-Jul-2025 05:37
Falls Creek, Australia; now 100% open!
Global ski conditions are mixed this week, with Australia and Chile leading in open terrain, some snowfall reported across the southern hemisphere, and only a few resorts still open in the northern hemisphere as summer skiing winds down.
The Snow Headlines - July 17th
- Australia's Perisher reports it is more than 70% open with the most terrain in the world.
- Tignes, the last summer ski area open in France, is in the final week of the 2025 glacier ski season.
- New Zealand's Turoa ski area is struggling again.
- Lesotho's Afriski reports its main run is fully open for the first time this winter.
- Saas Fee is opening for summer glacier skiing and effectively the 25-26 season this weekend.
- Chile's Tres Valles has the most terrain open in the world at present, over 100 km/62 miles.
See where the snow is forecast.
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World Overview
It has been a fairly quiet week on the world's ski slopes, at least regarding fresh snowfall, after significant accumulations for some in the first week of July. Australian ski areas posted some of the best numbers, reaching up to 56 cm/22 inches in the previous week up to last weekend, while ski areas in Chile and New Zealand also reported more snowfall, along with some lighter accumulations on high slopes in Europe's Alps.
In terms of what is open, there is still a West/East divide in South America, with the Tres Valles region near the Chilean capital Santiago posting the most open in the world at present, with over 100 km/62 miles of slopes and nearly 100% of slopes open. In contrast, the southern hemisphere's largest centre, Cerro Catedral near Bariloche in Argentina, still has less than 10% and 10 km/6 miles of its slope open.
The situation is improving with more terrain opening and base depths increasing in Australia and New Zealand, while Lesotho's Afriski reports its main run is now complete.
Just half a dozen ski areas are open in Europe's Alps, Scandinavia, and North America combined. Switzerland's Saas Fee had been expected to open for its summer ski season last weekend but has now postponed until this coming Saturday, the 19th.
Southern Hemisphere
Australia
Australian ski resorts are enjoying peak winter conditions following up to 50 cm/20 inches of fresh snowfall last week. Continued snow showers, sunshine, and low temperatures have helped build solid bases and allowed more terrain to open across the country.
Perisher reported 37 cm/15 inches of new snow heading into the weekend, supported by 146 snowguns operating during overnight lows of -3°C/27°F. The resort's ski area is now 70% open, with 50 km/30 miles of slopes available—the largest operational area in Australia and the entire southern hemisphere (in fact, the world right now!).
The Interceptor Quad Chair began spinning, connecting Perisher to Blue Cow, while Piper and Link T-Bars opened, improving access to Smiggin Holes.
At Hotham, over 40 cm/16 inches fell last week, boosting snow depths and reporting dry powder conditions across its terrain.
Falls Creek recorded 56 cm/22 inches of fresh snowfall heading into the weekend. The Summit Chairlift opened, providing access to advanced terrain with steeper runs and panoramic alpine views, and with the International Poma opening too, it is now 100% open - leading the country in terms of operational area.
Meanwhile, Thredbo continues to report the deepest base, now reaching up to 102 cm/40 inches. It has been sunnier this week with just light snow showers, and that should continue into next weekend.
New Zealand
New Zealand's ski season shows mixed fortunes.
South Island resorts like Mount Hutt, Coronet Peak, and The Remarkables are nearly fully open, with Mount Hutt boasting the deepest base in the Southern Hemisphere.
In contrast, North Island's Mount Ruapehu, particularly Turoa, struggles with snow cover, relying on artificial snow to operate limited terrain. There was a 20 cm/8 inch snowfall on Tuesday, with more forecast, so all hope is not lost.
Daily snowfalls of 5–10 cm/2–4 inches and cold temperatures are helping maintain base depths, with 10–35 cm/4–14 inches of new snow expected by the weekend.
Treble Cone may see the biggest accumulations, with other resorts like Cardrona and Coronet Peak likely to receive less. Conditions remain cold and stable with occasional sunshine.
Argentina
Argentinian ski areas saw moderate snowfalls (10–20 cm/4–8 inches) earlier this week, with overnight lows of -5 to -8°C/23 to 18°F and milder daytime highs.
Southern resort Cerro Castor remains the standout, with consistent snow, 60–80 cm/24–31 inches base depths, and 60% terrain open—the most in the country.
Most other centres remain 10–40% open, hampered by a slow season start.
Cerro Catedral, Argentina's largest, has only 5 km/3 miles of runs reported open.
The outlook remains mostly dry, with light snow expected mainly in the far south later in the week.
Chile
Portillo, arguably Chile's best-known resort, reports good snow conditions despite a July dry spell, and 85% of its slopes open.
While there has been no significant new snow this week, cold temperatures are helping preserve coverage, with groomed runs holding well. Freezing levels have stayed near 2,000–2,500 m/6,562–8,202 feet, with highs between -5°C/23°F and 4°C/39°F—ideal for maintaining snowpack.
Conditions should be excellent on upper slopes by the weekend, especially in southern resorts with more snow inbound.
Pucon could see over 40 cm/16 inches, and Nevados de Chillán expects over 30 cm/12 inches. The Tres Valles linked area, with Valle Nevada, La Parva, and El Colorado connected by lifts and slopes east of Santiago, has the most terrain open in the world at present, with more than 100 km/62 miles of runs.
Lesotho
Despite early forecasts hinting at snowfall across Lesotho, little if any materialised. However, sub-zero overnight temperatures persist in the mountains.
At Afriski, base depths have risen to around 30 cm/12 inches thanks to sustained snowmaking efforts, and the resort reports all runs open. Afternoon highs have reached +9°C/48°F, but consistent overnight lows have maintained the snowpack.
The outlook remains largely sunny, with overnight lows dipping to -2 to -4°C/28 to 25°F and daytime highs climbing to +6 to +9°C/43 to 48°F.
Northern Hemisphere
The Alps
It is the last week of the now short summer ski season for Tignes, the only centre still open for glacier skiing in France, and only for four weeks in summer 2025. It has actually been closed some days over the last week due to weather and snow conditions, but officially this coming weekend is its final one.
In Switzerland, Saas Fee had been expected to open for its 2025 summer skiing season and (arguably) its 25-26 season last Saturday, to begin what is normally nine consecutive months of increasingly extensive skiing over the next nine months. It has now delayed opening to this coming weekend, and will then join nearby Zermatt as a second Swiss option for summer skiing, with its ski lifts operating from 7 am to noon daily.
Zermatt's Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is also accessible from Cervinia on the Italian side of the Matterhorn/Monte Cervino. Italy also has Passo Stelvio open.
The final Alpine option is the year-round Hintertux glacier in Austria.
Most of the Alps have had a predominantly dry and sunny week after the welcome snowfalls at high altitudes at the start of last week. A fresh front did bring a little more snowfall on high terrain (rain at lower levels) at the start of this week. The freezing point has mostly been between 3,000 and 4,000 m/9,843 and 13,123 feet.
Scandinavia
There continues to be one centre open in Scandinavia, the Galdhøpiggen glacier near Juvass.
After the snowfall here last week, temperatures have warmed above freezing levels, and the precipitation there is reported to have mostly fallen as rain.
Moving forward, lows are expected to be in the +2 to +4°C/36 to 39°F range, with highs getting above +10°C/50°F in the afternoons, so the best conditions are early in the day.
USA
Snowfall briefly touched high slopes at Sunshine near Banff last week but quickly melted.
Timberline in Oregon remains the only US resort currently operating, with around 3 km/2 miles of terrain open and snow depths near 60 cm/24 inches. Conditions are best early in the day, with soft spring snow developing by afternoon.
Copper Mountain, Colorado offers limited hike-to park access from Friday through Sunday.
Forecasts across US mountain regions suggest a settled week ahead, with daytime highs in the 50s–60s°F and cooler nights slowing snowmelt. Mostly clear skies and light winds dominate, though drizzle or high-altitude snow showers are possible later in the month.
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