Southern Hemisphere Ski Resorts Celebrate Early 2018 Snow
Ski resorts in Australia and New Zealand have been celebrating their first significant snowfalls of 2018 – with more than two months to go until the ski season is due to begin for most of the southern hemisphere.
The snow fell first in New Zealand where some areas reported up to 30cm of snow and even operated lifts for sledging – if not skiing and boarding.
This was Coronet Peak.
Beautiful day to explore the new beginner carpet layout at the #peak. No work today – it's time to play! Remember less than two weeks to lock in your 3 Peak Pass for only $649 – https://goo.gl/UzfdPC
Posted by Coronet Peak on Donnerstag, 22. März 2018
Australian ski areas such as Perisher (pictured above) then reported a dusting of overnight snow at the start of the week.
Of course much of the Australian snow quickly melted away as temperatures moved up towards their early autumnal norms in double digits plus Celcius, but the snow still raised spirits ahead of the coming ski season, scheduled to begin in early June.
First flakes…a sign of good things to come?
Posted by Thredbo Resort on Sonntag, 25. März 2018
Normally ski areas in Australia open the first weekend in June regardless of snow cover, for a tradition long bank holiday weekend.
Last year several resorts in Australia and New Zealand invested in all weather snow making systems so they were able to open with at least some snow sports at the very end of May/start of June. In the event there was quite a lot of natural snow too.
Ski areas in Southern Africa tend to open around the same time and in South America in the latter half of June, although again in 2017 some ski areas in Chile opened early in June due to heavy pre-season snowfalls there.
Winter is making an early showing! Yes – it’s been snowing!
Posted by Mt Buller on Sonntag, 25. März 2018
