J2Ski Snow Report - August 28th 2025
J2Ski Snow Report - August 28th 2025
Published : 28-Aug-2025 07:39
Hotham, VIC, Australia... ok, we're jealous...
Big snowstorms revive ski seasons in Chile, Argentina, and Australia, while Scandinavia sees August snowfall and Lesotho ends its 2025 season.
The Snow Headlines - August 28th
- Ski areas in Argentina reopen, and others extend the season after long-awaited big snowfalls.
- August snowfall reported on high peaks and glaciers in Scandinavia.
- Lesotho (and Southern Africa's) 2025 season ending this weekend.
- Up to 1 metre/39 inches snowfall totals in Chile.
- Another major snowstorm hitting Australia.
See where the snow is forecast.
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World Overview
It's the start of springtime in the southern hemisphere next week and the start of autumn in the north, at least by the meteorological measure of the seasons.
In Scandinavia, things have already turned a little wintry with snow spotted on high peaks. Currently, we have only three areas open in the northern hemisphere with outdoor snow, in the Swiss and Italian Alps.
In the southern hemisphere, a major snowstorm dumped 50 cm to 1 metre/20 inches of snowfall across the Andes at the end of last week, reviving ski areas in Chile and Argentina after a low-snow season. Resorts have reopened, events rescheduled, and several centres have extended operations into October.
In Australia, sunny weather continued until Wednesday, but fresh snowfall is now arriving as another major storm hits, expected to bring 60 cm+/24 inches+ by the weekend. New Zealand ski fields report some of the season's best conditions, though one club field has cancelled its season.
In Africa, Lesotho's Afriski wraps up its 2025 season this weekend with a big party.
Southern Hemisphere
Australia
Until the past few days, Australia's ski fields basked in sunshine for a second dry week, with overnight lows below freezing and mild afternoons hinting at spring.
Around 90% of terrain is open nationwide. Perisher leads globally with 60 km/37 miles of skiable terrain and the deepest snowpack (up to 160 cm/63 inches), while Falls Creek boasts 96% terrain open, the highest percentage in the country.
A potentially major late-season storm is now underway, expected to bring 3–4 days of snowfall and a sharp temperature drop of 10–15°C, dipping below –5°C and remaining sub-zero by day.
Daily snowfalls of 10–20 cm/4 to 8 inches are expected, with totals of 50-60 cm+/20-24 inches+ by Saturday. As of Thursday afternoon, most resorts are past halfway there.
New Zealand
New Zealand slopes experienced a mix of sunshine and fresh snow this week, following last week's storms.
While 2025 has seen below-average snowfall overall, resorts like Cardrona praised recent natural snowfall after relying mostly on man-made cover. They received another good dump over the past 24 hours.
For some smaller centres without snowmaking, the fresh snow is too little, too late, and Temple Basin says they won't open this season.
Mount Hutt has the country's deepest base at 165 cm/65 inches and 95% terrain open; other South Island resorts report similar or full operations.
North Island fields are improving too—Tūroa and Whakapapa are now half open with deepening snow.
Wintry weather persists as we near the start of spring, bringing fresh snow, sub-zero lows (–6°C/21°F South, –8°C/18°F North), and highs near freezing over the next few days.
Long-range forecasts hint at more snow into September, with the season potentially stretching to late October for some centres.
Argentina
Argentina's ski season has surged back to life following a major snowstorm that was just getting started as we published last week's report and continued for three days. It's been mostly sunny since the start of the week.
Caviahue, previously closed due to poor coverage, reopened on 23rd August after receiving half a metre/20 inches of fresh snow. Cerro Castor in the far south, the only Argentinian centre near full operations before the storm, now reports excellent conditions with snow depths at a metre/39 inches and has announced it will extend its season into October.
Before the storm, most resorts were operating at half capacity or less, with several smaller centres closed. Overall, the fresh snow has revived momentum across the region and lifted hopes for a strong final month of operations.
Chile
A powerful snowstorm has blanketed the Chilean Andes with 50 cm to 1 metre/20 inches to 39 inches of fresh snow, revitalising cover ahead of the season's final month.
Chile's Portillo received 95 cm/37 inches of fresh snow going into the weekend, with its base depth reaching 190 cm/75 inches, the deepest in South America.
Antillanca, previously forced to postpone a major freeride contest, has now rescheduled it for 6–7 September.
After a season of below-average snowfall, this storm has dramatically improved conditions across the region. Despite those subpar snowfall stats, most Chilean resorts already had the majority of terrain open prior to the storm, but this latest dump has significantly boosted coverage and extended the powder window for late-season visitors.
It has been mostly sunny since the weekend, with afternoon temperatures climbing into double figures, which will have affected the fresh snow conditions at lower levels.
Lesotho
It's the final weekend of the 2025 season in Southern Africa, with Lesotho's Afriski, the only resort still operating in the region, building up to its Winterfest end-of-winter celebration.
Temperatures have been rising, but it's believed the centre's full mile-long ski run has been maintained for the final few days of the 2025 season.
Northern Hemisphere
The Alps
Alpine conditions have settled since the weekend, with sunshine and freezing levels between 3500–4000 m/11,500–13,000 feet. Glacier temperatures dip below freezing overnight, rising to +3 to +6°C/37 to 43°F by afternoon.
Saas-Fee and Zermatt each offer around 12 km/7 miles of slopes, while Italy's Passo Stelvio has about 6 km/4 miles open.
Cervinia's lifts still access the Klein Matterhorn from the Italian side ahead of their autumnal shutdown.
Austria's Hintertux glacier remains closed but plans to reopen in September, though no date is confirmed.
Significant precipitation is forecast to end the week, with freezing levels dropping to 2800 m/9,186 feet. If models hold, snow above 3000 m/9,843 feet is likely—though rain or sleet is possible depending on elevation and timing.
Scandinavia
Scandinavia saw its first non-glacier snowfall since spring, with Hemsedal and Bjorli sharing snowy summit shots.
Norway's Galdhøpiggen Glacier, the region's only scheduled open area, remains temporarily closed—ironically due to summer heat—but plans to reopen on 19 September.
Cool conditions persist, with lows near –6°C/21°F, highs around –2°C/28°F, light snow expected, and brisk northerlies sweeping the peaks.
USA
Lift-accessible skiing is paused across North America, except indoors at Big Snow, NJ.
Copper Mountain's hike-to terrain park runs limited weekend sessions until early September.
Dry, sunny weather dominates, but cooler overnight lows and scattered showers hint at seasonal change. Freezing levels are dropping, with temperatures nearing zero on the highest peaks as September begins.
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