The Southern Hemisphere is witnessing a flurry of late-season snowfall, blanketing ski regions from South Africa to Chile. As winter nears its end, these areas are experiencing a final burst of snow, creating ideal conditions for skiers and snowboarders. This unexpected snowfall contrasts sharply with the extreme heat and wildfires affecting parts of the Northern Hemisphere.
Ski enthusiasts are rejoicing as the snow keeps falling, delivering some of the deepest snowpacks of the season. From the slopes of Australia to the Andes in Chile, the Southern Hemisphere is enjoying a winter wonderland. Let’s dive into the latest updates from these ski destinations.
Australia: A Snowy Revival
Australia’s ski areas are experiencing a remarkable turnaround after a challenging start to the season. Fresh snowfall and sustained cold temperatures have allowed several resorts to expand their open terrain significantly. Perisher for instance, now has nearly 70% of its terrain open, with an upper base approaching 90 cm (3 ft). This is a stark contrast to the minimal snowfall and unusually warm temperatures that marked the first half of the season.
Other Australian resorts like Thredbo and Falls Creek are also benefiting from the recent snowfall, with both now close to 70% open. Hotham is around 50% open, though some smaller centres continue to struggle with limited terrain. The forecast for the coming days includes sunny conditions with a significant change expected on Sunday, bringing widespread snow and colder air.
New Zealand: Peak Season Conditions
New Zealand’s ski areas are reporting some of the best conditions of the season, thanks to recent snowfall and low temperatures. Most of the country’s ski areas are now at or close to full operations, with increasingly healthy base depths. Mt Hutt leads the way with its slopes 100% open and a substantial base depth of 169 cm (68 inches).
Cardrona with its slightly larger area following expansion last winter, now has the most terrain open in the country. Fully open Coronet Peak also reports its slopes fully open, offering the same amount of kilometres as Mt Hutt. Some smaller ski areas and club fields are only just starting their seasons, including Mt Cheeseman which opened for the first time in 2026 at the weekend.
The forecast for New Zealand includes sunny, settled weather initially, with a colder southwest change expected to bring light to moderate snowfall to higher elevations. A stronger front is expected to arrive late, spreading heavier snow across both islands into Sunday.
South America: A Winter Wonderland
Argentina and Chile are locked in a powerful winter pattern, with ski areas experiencing some of the deepest snowpacks in the world. Argentina’s ski areas are 60–100% open after weeks of cold, snowy weather. Las Leñas currently has the deepest snowpack in Argentina, with almost 60% of its terrain open. Chapelco and Caviahue also report substantial upper-mountain depths, though Chapelco‘s base remains thin.
In Chile, Portillo currently holds the deepest snowpack in the world, with over 6 m (20 ft) of snowfall over the past three weeks. However, the extreme conditions have left the resort cut off by road for three weeks. Valle Nevado and El Colorado are now among the top areas for open terrain worldwide, with both resorts reporting significant snowfall and open slopes.
The forecast for Argentina includes a cold, wintry pattern through the latter half of the week, with widespread sub-zero temperatures and frequent snow showers. Chile is expected to stay mostly sunny and stable, with a colder Pacific front arriving on Friday, bringing moderate snowfall to higher-elevation resorts.
Southern Africa: A Brief Winter Farewell
Southern Africa is experiencing a mostly dry, sunny pattern, with only brief dustings and a thinning machine-made base as its short winter season nears its end. Afriski in Lesotho is nearing the final fortnight of its 2026 season, with most terrain open. A light snowfall brushed the resort at the weekend, leaving a thin, temporary coating across the off-piste slopes.
The forecast for Southern Africa includes settled, mostly sunny weather this week, with clear skies and mild afternoons. Highs are expected to reach +12°C while nights drop to -3 to –7°C keeping conditions dry and stable. The 2026 season has just two weeks left, culminating in the Winterfest on 22 August which will close the season a week earlier than usual.
