Does the thought of the European ski season coming to an end bring a tear to your eye?
Instead of hanging up your ski boots this summer, consider heading south to one of the many ski resorts in the southern hemisphere. There are some incredible skiing and snowboarding destinations to enjoy, offering world class amenities, pristine natural environments, and most importantly, vast ski slopes covered in fresh powder.
Whether you’re dedicated skier or you simply want to spend your days drinking brandy and making snowmen, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. In this post, we’ll share five of the best southern hemisphere ski spots to check out.
1. Perisher, Snowy Mountains, Australia
With more than 12 square kilometres of ski area, Perisher is the largest ski resort in the southern hemisphere. Because of its extensive network of slopes, beautiful scenery, and world class amenities, it’s a popular holiday destination with both locals and tourists.
Perisher has a diverse variety of terrain to offer, so skiers and snowboarders of any skill level can find a spot that perfectly matches their capabilities. Of the 133 available ski runs, 22% are designed for beginners, with 60% for immediate skiers/snowboarders and 18% for advanced. There are also several pipes and curated parks to enjoy. The lift system and trails are cleverly interconnected, which makes it simple to get to any of the four major villages (Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Blue Cow, and Guthega). There are 47 lifts in total, including a huge eight-seater, which is handy if you are going skiing with a group of friends.
Perisher is accessible by road (5.5 hours from Sydney) or the Skitube from Jindabyne. The official ski season starts in mid-June and runs through to the first week of October.
2. Queenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown is a beautiful town located in the Southern Alps of South Island, New Zealand. Its spectacular alpine scenery combined with its exhilarating ski slopes have made it an internationally renowned skiing destination that attracts huge numbers of visitors each year. Skiers and snowboarders visiting Queenstown have plenty of ski runs to choose from. There are four large ski fields near the town center, offering a wide range of terrain suitable for all skill levels. If you’re a beginner, you will find plenty of easy runs and many ski instructors available. Experienced skiers and snowboarders have the option of testing their skills on advanced runs or exploring the backcountry. The ski season runs from June to October.
If the slopes become a little too crowded, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy. They include the many excellent spas, cafes, restaurants, and bars around town. Queenstown is also well-known for its adventure activities, including jet boating, paragliding, rock climbing, snowmobiling, and mountain biking. There are plenty of Queenstown ski packages to choose from that include a plethora of winter and adventure activities.
3. Portillo, Chile
Nestled high in the Andes Mountains is the exclusive ski resort of Portillo. Settled more than 70 years ago, it’s one of the oldest ski resorts in South America and remains one of the world’s popular destinations for keen skiers.
Portillo is a relatively small ski resort with a capacity of 450 guests and 200 day skiers. The large number of staff means that visitors are well-looked after and the slopes are generally uncrowded. Many pro skiers travel to Portillo each year because of its challenging terrain and dry powder. If you have the necessary skills, you can join the professionals on the 1,500 meter Super C Couloir. It’s an exhilarating run with vertical cliff walls surrounding its entrance. After entry, the slope quickly steepens to a 45-degree pitch, before spitting skiers out onto a wide-open area that leads them all the way back to the hotel. Watch this video for a sneak preview of this spectacular run.
Portillo is also well known for its ski school. It has an extremely competitive environment that attracts some of the world’s best skiers. Many of the people who attend the school are athletes or teachers at resorts like Aspen, St. Moritz, and Jackson Hole. The accommodation was recently renovated but still retains its rustic appearance. Guests can book all-inclusive one week stays in the hotel. This includes all meals, full access to the resort’s facilities, and lift tickets. The ski season runs from mid-June to early October.
4. Cerro Catedral, Bariloche, Argentina
Located on the western border of Argentina, just 20km from the center of the town of San Carlos de Bariloche is the beautiful Cerro Catedral Ski Resort. The name of the resort comes from the large granite spires that sit atop nearby mountains, resembling a gothic church.
Cerro Catedral is the second largest resort in Argentina, with over 3,000 acres of skiable area. The terrain provides a good mix of difficult levels, with about 15% of runs suitable for beginners, 60% for intermediate skiers, and 25% for advanced skiers. Experts also have many off-piste areas to explore and there is a large terrain park worth checking out.
Getting around the resort is simple thanks to the 37 ski lifts, which is the largest number of ski lifts at any Argentinian ski resort. There is a great selection of accommodation options without a short distance of the slopes. Visitors can also enjoy the many great shops, bars, restaurants and cafes on-site. The large size of the resort combined with its affordability and the spectacular natural beauty of the area make it a fantastic skiing and snowboarding destination.
5. Falls Creek, Victoria, Australia
This is another beautiful alpine ski resort located in southern Australia. It’s situated within the Alpine National Park, which is a pristine location full of remarkable flora and fauna.
Falls Creek resort is very beginner/intermediate friendly, with the majority of the resort being suitable for skiers and snowboarders of those skill levels. There are over 90 ski runs on site with 17% classified as beginner, 60% intermediate, and 23% advanced. There are also 21 cross country trails, which includes a total of 65 km of groomed trails.
The infrastructure is outstanding, with plenty of high-quality accommodation, many transportation options, and 14 modern lifts on site. There are many events held each ski season including ski competitions, live music, and kid’s shows. Fun activities include snowmobile tours, helicopter scenic tours, fireworks, terrain parks, fat biking, and snow tubing. This is one of the best resorts for family getaways and beginner/intermediate skiers in the southern hemisphere.
