Fly South for Snow

Skiing South of the Equator

Portillo, Chile

Portillo, Chile

Portillo Ski Resort is perhaps one of the most well-known resorts when it comes to skiing in South America, if not the world, for good reason. As former host of the World Skiing Championships, this resort serves expert skiers the most exhilarating terrain. Portillo averages around 25 feet of snow per winter, with no shortage of beautiful bluebird days.

Season: June 17 – September 30

Average Snowfall: 249 feet

Summit: 10,860 feet

Location: Valparaíso Region, Chile

Cerro Caviahue

Cerro Caviahue, Argentina

Cerro Caviahue offers up adventurous skiing on an active volcano. As long as you catch a day where the mountain isn’t closed because of drifting volcanic ash, you have an incredible landscape at your disposal. The mountain is rather quaint, so no need to worry about waiting in line for any of the nine lifts. The low crowds provide an ideal environment for beginners to master their craft while enjoying the natural hot springs and turquoise lakes that surround them.

Season: June 17 – September 30

Summit: 9,846 feet

Location: Patagonia, Argentina

La Parva

La Parva, Chile

La Parva is the smallest resort of Chile’s Tres Valles region, but that doesn’t compromise its variety or quality. It does receive fewer tourists than most mountains in the area, making it a peaceful place to ski. However, La Parva still manages to actively participate in the industry, having hosted both the Eye of the Condor as well as PowderQuest Women’s Freeride Camp with Ingrid Backstrom. As a much cheaper option for skiing in the Andes when compared to its competitors, this is a mountain worth visiting.

Summit: 11,726 feet

Location: Región Metropolitana, Chile

Thredbo

Thredbo, Australia

Directly between Melbourne and Sydney, Australia’s Thredbo serves up great conditions all season long thanks to its $6 million dollar snowmaking system, which is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. A variety of activities are also available at Thredbo, including night skiing, mountain tours, snow biking, disc golf, and much more. Thredbo also features a Leisure Centre to keep you in ski shape, with a 164-foot heated indoor swimming pool, basketball courts, trampolines, and a weight room.

Summit: 6,683 feet

Location: New South Wales, Australia

Perisher

Perisher, Australia

Perisher is one of Australia’s premier ski areas, with a “ski tube” that transports skiers around the mountains. The tube is essentially a train that takes skiers between the four resorts in the area: Perisher, Guthega, Smiggin Holes, and Blue Cow. Perisher also has an award-winning system of terrain parks. Playstation Terrain Parks are made up of five parks varying from small to large.

Season: June 12 – October 1

Summit: 6,709 feet

Location: Perisher Valley, New South Wales, Australia

Mt. Buller

Mt. Buller, Australia

Mt. Buller is home to the largest lift network in Victoria, Australia. It includes 13 chairs, four T-bars, two tow ropes, and four magic carpets. Be sure to stop at the Mt. Buller Village, located right in the center of the mountain. This ski-in/ski-out metropolis is home to over 30 bars and restaurants that offer up an exciting après-ski scene.

Summit: 5,840 feet

Location: Victoria, Australia 

The Remarkables

The Remarkables, New Zealand

At 40 minutes from Queenstown, The Remarkables grant skiers of all abilities a place to soak in the views of the surrounding Remarkables mountain range. Make sure to stop in for a drink at the infamous Ice Bar overlooking a beautiful mountain vista. If you feel like you’ve seen a view like it before, it might be because Lord of the Rings was filmed in this region.

Season: June 10- October 8

Average snowfall: 12 feet

Summit: 6,375 feet

Location: Queenstown, New Zealand

Coronet Peak

Coronet Peak, New Zealand

Connected to The Remarkables, Coronet Peak provides visitors with a swift, six-seater express lift, tubing park, and almost 700 acres of intermediate terrain. Located extremely close to Queenstown, the resort has received praise for handling the large crowds with grace, preventing long lines or over crowded trails due to the volume of people who visit.

Season: June 17 – October 1

Summit: 5,410 feet

Location: Queenstown, New Zealand

Craigieburn Valley

Craigieburn Valley, New Zealand

Are you a purist? Looking for no frills, just powder you can rip and bowls you can carve? Craigieburn Valley, located on the Southern Island of New Zealand, is as pure as it gets. No lifts, snowmaking, or extra amenities, just natural snow awaiting you in a vast backcountry. Operated as a charitable organization, Craigieburn is run by a club for no profit. Its two basins provide expert skiers with boundless room to enjoy the views of the breath taking Craigieburn Range.

Summit: 6,306 feet

Location: Craigieburn Valley, New Zealand

Cardrona Alpine Resort

Cardrona Alpine Resort, New Zealand

Cardrona Alpine Resort is every New Zealand park rat’s dream. With four terrain parks, two super pipes, and an 85-foot Big Air jump, it’s safe to say skiers looking to flip, spin, and slide away their days here will not get bored. The mountain yields an even spread of trails ranging from beginner to advanced across four basins, where snow is constantly made to make great skiing conditions possible all season long.

Season: June – Mid October

Average Snowfall: 9 feet

Summit: 6,102 feet

Location: Cardrona, New Zealand