So, it’s about two months into the ski season in the Southern Hemisphere. Unfortunately, like the season in the north (mouths shut PNW) the snow has gotten off to a slow start. With the Eye of the Condor happening this past week, and the Swatch Skier’s Cup coming up in early September down in South America, skiers south of the equator are hoping that the season will ramp up soon.
There have been some bright spots.
Las Lenas in Late June
Also, check out Lee Lyon’s posts on last week’s Las Lenas powder day here, here and here.
Anyway, Las Lenas is ahead of the pack so far, boasting an average base of 24 to 71 inches and 83% of their terrain open. Valle Nevado, host of the Swatch Skiers Cup, is right behind them with an average base of 12 to 62 inches and 64% terrain open. Cerro Castor in Argentina seems to have the most consistent base with an average base of 40 to 53 inches and 96% terrain open, but their summit is only 1057 meters, about 3400 feet. Portillo sits at an average base of 7 to 28 inches. Click here for the full South American snow report.
Backside of Treble Cone in New Zealand
As for New Zealand, they’re not even doing as well as South America. The Remarkables has a consistent 28 inch base. Treble Cone sits at a 20-31 inch base, Coronet Peak has a 12-24 inch average base and Mt. Hutt has an average of 20 to 35 inches. The Remarkables have gotten about 2 feet (22″) in the past three days with sun in the extended forecast. Click Here for the New Zealand snow report.
Hopefully the folks down south have been paying tribute to the snow gods and will reap the benefits soon enough, and enjoying what they’ve gotten so far.
Also, I thoroughly enjoyed this short edit so I’m going to include it: