J2Ski Snow Report - August 8th 2025
J2Ski Snow Report - August 8th 2025
Published : 08-Aug-2025 07:04
Sunrise at Hotham Alpine Resort, VIC, Australia...
Australia leads the global ski scene with Perisher and others fully open, while fresh snow boosts conditions in the Andes, Alps, and Scandinavia, though Argentina still struggles and Austria's Hintertux glacier is closed until September.
The Snow Headlines - August 8th
- Australia's Perisher is fully open, boasting the most terrain of any single area in the world at present.
- Austria's only open summer ski centre, year-round Hintertux, is closed through August.
- Snowfall in the Andes approached a metre over seven days, but Argentinian areas are still struggling.
- Fresh snowfall for Scandinavia's only open glacier ski area.
- Mammoth Mountain reports less than 100 days until the 2025-26 season starts in November.
See where the snow is forecast.
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World Overview
In the southern hemisphere, the Andes received up to 90 cm/35 inches of snow late last week, but initially wet snow conditions limited its positive impact on Argentina's poor season. Terrain openings have slightly improved across the region.
New Zealand experienced mixed weather, with some area closures due to rain and sleet, while others enjoyed steadier snowfall. Australia continues to lead with fresh snow and some of its best conditions in years. Chile also reports solid coverage and widespread terrain openings.
In the northern hemisphere, fresh snowfall returned to high Alpine slopes up to the weekend, accompanied by cooler August temperatures. However, Austria's Hintertux glacier has unexpectedly closed until September.
Scandinavia's Galdhøpiggen glacier remains open, while Timberline in Oregon enters its final month. Just five ski centres are currently operating in the northern hemisphere - the lowest count of 2025 so far.
Southern Hemisphere
Australia
Australia's strong season continues with weekend snowfall and brief wild weather, followed by sunshine.
After last week's significant dumps, most resorts now boast metre-plus bases and near-full operations.
Perisher is fully open for the first time this season, with all 45 lifts operating across 3,000+ acres.
Mount Buller (70 cm/28 inches to 110 cm/43 inches) and Mount Hotham also have all lifts running, with Hotham narrowly besting Thredbo for the deepest snowpack by a centimetre.
It has been largely clear and sunny since the weekend, providing great conditions to enjoy.
New Zealand
The first week of August has brought light, widespread snowfall to New Zealand's South Island, reinforcing firm, skiable bases.
Mount Hutt leads nationally—and in the southern hemisphere—in terms of deepest snow and is nearly fully operational. Nearby Porters and Mount Lyford saw up to 11 cm/4 inches of fresh snow at the weekend, while Mount Dobson and Ohau report solid coverage and well-preserved surfaces thanks to cold temperatures.
Coronet Peak and The Remarkables are enjoying settled weather, with groomers maintaining quality trails.
Cardrona and Treble Cone remain fully open, though Treble Cone briefly closed after wet weather damaged its base.
On the North Island, Whakapapa and Turoa are open but still struggling with very limited terrain and thin cover.
It has been a little mild in recent days, but weekend precipitation is expected to bring fresh snow.
Argentina
The anticipated turnaround in Argentina's underwhelming 2025 ski season did not quite deliver last week.
Forecast heavy snowfalls fell short, and much of what did arrive was wet and heavy.
Cerro Catedral, South America's largest resort, remains well below par, with under 10% of terrain open and a very thin base.
Cerro Castor, the world's most southerly ski area, continues to lead the country with packed powder and 83% of slopes open.
Las Leñas is showing signs of improvement, now offering nearly half its terrain. Cerro Bayo and Caviahue received fresh snow, though Caviahue briefly closed due to storm conditions.
It has been mostly sunny this week after skies cleared.
Chile
Heavy snowfall has transformed Chile's ski areas, with Portillo and Nevados de Chillán boasting some of the deepest cover in the southern hemisphere.
A strong storm hit the central Andes late last week, leaving resorts blanketed in fresh powder.
Portillo saw 60 cm/24 inches of light snow over the weekend.
Valle Nevado, La Parva, and El Colorado also received dry, skiable snow, with peak accumulations on Friday/Saturday.
Further south, Nevados de Chillán led snowfall totals, starting with wetter snow before shifting to colder, fluffier conditions.
Lesotho
Afriski (10 cm/4 inches to 20 cm/8 inches) remains fully open as it enters the final three weeks of its 2025 season, set to wrap up with lively Winterfest celebrations at month's end. The resort's mile-long main run is still complete, basking under near-constant sunshine.
Forecasts show clear skies continuing, with daily temperatures ranging from -8°C/18°F overnight to +8°C/46°F by day.
Northern Hemisphere
The Alps
It has been largely sunny in the Alps this week after further summer snowfall above about 3,000 m/9,842 ft through the weekend.
Despite the fresh snow and sub-zero glacier temperatures, Hintertux has closed until September, leaving Austria and France with no open ski areas.
Just three centres remain open in the region: Switzerland's Zermatt and Saas-Fee, and Italy's Passo Stelvio.
The forecast remains mostly sunny and dry, with freezing levels above 3,000 m/9,842 ft. Light snow (5 cm/2 inches to 10 cm/4 inches) is possible above 2,500 m/8,202 ft in the eastern Alps and Italy.
Scandinavia
Norway's Galdhøpiggen glacier remains open with a mile of groomed terrain and snow depths up to 80 cm/31 inches, with a little fresh snowfall bolstering cover. The forecast is for dry conditions with scattered clouds. Daytime highs are around 9°C/48°F to 11°C/52°F but drop to freezing overnight.
USA
Oregon's Timberline's Palmer Snowfield on Mount Hood is nearing the end of its nine-month season, America's longest, with thin cover (0 cm/0 inches to 50 cm/20 inches) and limited early-morning terrain.
Copper Mountain's hike-to terrain park in Colorado also remains open on weekends.
It has been a warm and sunny week, with the forecast predicting more warm and sunny weather across the West. Highs are in the 60s°F to 70s°F, with lows in the 40s°F.
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