Southern Hemisphere 2024 Season Starts Early

Several ski areas in South America have announced they’ll be opening about a month earlier than planned thanks to weeks of mid-autumn/fall snowfall and low temperatures, at least one has already opened some limited terrain.

Argentinan ski areas have posted the biggest snowfalls, according to unofficial measurements, with one estimate of 8 feet (over 2.5 metres) on higher runs at Catedral ski area near the famous ski town of Bariloche (pictured top, credit Powderchasers), the continent’s largest in terms of uplift.

It has opened a few runs this weekend, to the delight of local skiers and riders.

Now ski areas in Chile, which have had plenty of May snowfall too, are also planning to open early.

Corralco say they’ll open from next Saturday May 18^th and that they plan to stay open from then  continuously until the end of the season, operating until the main season start next month.

They plan to open their Cornisa, Volcano, Cross all week with the Christmas and Summit runs also opening on Fridays to Sundays. Baser restaurants, rentals and school will all be fully operational from next weekend.

In addition, Chile’s most southerly major ski area Nevados de Chillán says it plans to open limited terrain for four days from next weekend in what it’s calling ‘N Snow Days of Chillan’ from next Saturday 18^th to Tuesday 21st May.

The resort’s Tata, Novicios, Magic Carpet and Refugio lifts will run with the Novice, Snowy Forest, Zorrito and 3 Marias Forest trails open and limited lift tickets available to purchase online.

Prior to the announcements from the Chillean ski areas, Lesotho’s Afriski in southern Africa had announced the earliest opening date in the southern hemisphere this year, June 1^st, with the first Australian and new Zealand ski areas due to begin opening just over a week later.