In a significant revelation, data collated from numerous sources has marked the snowiest Southern Hemisphere ski resorts, just in time for the upcoming 2023 winter season. These findings, sourced from reliable snowfall records, provide unprecedented insights into the best winter sports destinations in terms of snow coverage and also highlight the historically snowiest weeks of the season.

Snow Season Central, a leading informational platform for global ski seasons, initiated this all-encompassing study. Utilizing the data from Snow Forecast, an outstanding weather forecasting service, the study thoroughly examined 15 years’ worth of mid-mountain snowfall records from June 1 to September 30. The data collection spanned the top 20 ski resorts in Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, and Chile. Snow Forecast and Snow Season Central are the primary sources of this invaluable information.

Glacial Giants of Australia and New Zealand

Among the analyzed resorts, Treble Cone, nestled near the bustling ski hub of Wanaka in New Zealand’s South Island, emerged as the snowfall champion, boasting a great 349 cm of snow from June through September. This snow coverage trumps Australia’s crowd-favourite resort, Perisher, by 134% and Queenstown’s Coronet Peak by 90%.

Australia and New Zealand’s Top Resorts

Australia’s crown for the snowiest resort went to Falls Creek, in Victoria, with a respectable accumulation of 199 cm within the same period. Notably, the analysis showcased that New Zealand’s resorts generally receive more snowfall than their Australian counterparts, with Thredbo and Perisher in New South Wales lagging in the rankings. In a striking comparison, Falls Creek receives an average of 39% more snow than Thredbo.

Despite having the gloomiest record last winter, leading to a voluntary bankruptcy filing, Whakapapa and Turoa—two North Island resorts—historically see some of New Zealand’s most robust snowfall. The silver lining appeared last month when the New Zealand government accepted bids for new resort owners, breathing new life into these potentially powder-rich destinations.

Snow-Capped Peaks of South America

The study pointed out that certain South American ski resorts historically witness over three times the snowfall of their Australian or New Zealand peers, an enticing revelation for powder pursuers.

South America’s Top Resorts

Nevados de Chillan, a famous Chilean resort, wears the crown as the Southern Hemisphere’s snowiest resort, recording an astounding 691 cm of snowfall during the winter months. Argentina’s largest ski resort, Cerro Catedral, holds the second place with 473 cm of snowfall, while Valle Nevado in Chile trails closely.

Season’s Snowiest Weeks

Further, the study pinpoints the historically snowiest weeks of the season at each resort, catering to powder snow aficionados. Though the results varied significantly by country, resorts in close proximity exhibited similar trends.

According to the data, Nevados de Chillan (Chile) averages a remarkable 68 cm of snow in the fourth week of August, giving it the dual distinction of not only being the snowiest resort overall but also home to the snowiest week among all the resorts surveyed.

The Snowiest Weeks of the Season

Ed Raine, Director of Snow Season Central, emphasized the increasing significance of these trends, given the evolving climate and its impact on the snowsports industry. He noted that while several factors influence trip planning, snowfall should be considered crucial. Raine cautioned that advertised snowfall statistics from resort websites might not reflect recent seasons due to changing climate trends, making unbiased sources like Snow Forecast indispensable.

For an in-depth view of the study’s findings, including a comprehensive week-by-week snowfall data breakdown for each resort, please visit the official website of Snow Season Central.

Written by: Christine Nguyen

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