Italy’s Passo Stelvio glacier has reopened to skiers this weekend, following a welcome drop in temperatures that finally allowed the surface to refreeze and stabilize after a mid‑August shutdown.

Resort operators confirmed the restart of lift operations marking the end of a three‑week closure triggered by extreme summer to high-altitude heat that prevented safe overnight consolidation of the glacier snowpack.

Stelvio's reopening comes with strictly limited operating hours to protect the glacier during the still‑warm afternoons. The Trincerone–Livrio cable cars are running from 6:30 AM to 4:00 PM, while the Pajer and Cristallo ski lifts are open only from 6:30 AM to 12:00 PM, giving skiers a narrow morning window before temperatures rise.  With little or no fresh snowfall there’s also only a limited area with snow cover to ski, Stelvio reports a 40cm (16”) base on that.

Passo Stelvio had halted all summer skiing on 15 August 2026, after prolonged heatwaves pushed freezing levels far above the glacier and left the surface too soft and unstable for safe grooming or public access. The resort now says it is aiming to maintain its planned season end date of 1 November 2026, though managers note that future operations will depend on weather patterns through September and October.

With Swiss glacier resorts Saas-Fee and Zermatt, which have also been forced to close by the summer heat, Stelvio’s reopening restores the Alps’ and northern hemisphere’s only currently operating outdoor glacier‑ski option, offering a cautious return to early‑autumn training lanes and recreational skiing. With temperatures still fluctuating and the glacier entering its most vulnerable seasonal period, operators emphasize that conditions will continue to be assessed daily.

Another Italian glacier, ski area, Val Senales, is currently expected to open for its 26-27 season in a fortnight with four Austrian ski areas, Hintertux, Solden, Kaunertal and Pitztal also aiming to start their seasons before the end of the month, conditions permitting.

• Alps: Sunny weather continues, but not enough snow to reopen resorts.
• Zermatt: Race teams are back training on the glacier.
• North America: Fresh snowfall is building excitement for winter.
• Indoor skiing: Still available around the world.

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE REPORT

It has been another predominantly dry and sunny week in the Alps, with the freezing point sitting between 3,500m and 4,500m for much of that time. Glaciers have again seen temperatures dipping below freezing overnight, creating freeze-thaw conditions, while daytime temperatures at 3,000m haven't been getting too warm.

There have also been social media posts showing groomers back in action on Switzerland's highest slopes at Zermatt, where Swiss racing teams are reportedly being allowed exclusive training access to the otherwise closed glacier. Among the sunny days, there have also been reports of a few light overnight dustings of fresh snow on glaciers, but not yet really enough for any of the currently closed centres that would like to be open — besides Zermatt — namely Passo Stelvio and Saas-Fee, to reopen. There was a little snow excitement at Italy's high-altitude resort of Livigno at the end of last week, transforming its village centre into a kilometre-long cross-country ski track this week using snow preserved from last winter. The 44th Gara da li Contrada ski race was staged on the snow despite daytime highs hitting +20°C, so the snow didn't last very long.

Across North America, the hike-to terrain park at Copper Mountain in Colorado is reported to still be operating, and excitement is building in the Rockies, with ski areas including Loveland saying they plan to start snowmaking later this month. There was also some excitement in Western Canada at the weekend, with resorts along the BC/Alberta provincial border reporting fresh snowfall in the final days of summer, raising pre-season excitement levels with two months to go until the scheduled season starts. There are currently no ski areas open in Canada, but Sunshine near Banff was one of those reporting snowfall in the past few days and is usually one of the first in the country to open, in about two months. Ski areas in BC reporting summer snowfall included Panorama and Kicking Horse.

Summer snowfall was also reported on high terrain in the northern US, including along the Beartooth Highway between Wyoming and Montana. Skiing remains possible at Europe's 50+ indoor snow centres, including facilities in Belgium, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and the UK. You can also ski or ride indoors in North America, at a facility in New Jersey in the US; in Africa, in Egypt; and at more than 100 facilities in Asia, the majority of them in China. There are also now several hundred artificial-surface ski slopes and ski-machine conveyor slopes around the world.

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE FORECAST

As yet, there aren't many signs of early winter arriving in the high Alps, with the week ahead looking largely settled and sunny across the high Alpine glacier terrain above 3,000m. Daytime temperatures at 3,000m generally sit between –1 and +8°C, bringing firm, refrozen surfaces early in the day before they soften by the afternoon. Italian glacier areas such as Passo Stelvio and Val Senales should enjoy frequent sunshine, with only passing cloud and light winds. 

Austria's Hintertux and Sölden show a similar pattern: bright, stable days, occasional convective cloud and limited precipitation. In Switzerland, Saas-Fee and Zermatt should remain mostly fine, with good upper-glacier preservation under cool nights. Farther north, Norway's Galdhøpiggen also looks set to remain predominantly sunny, with sub-zero temperatures.

• Australia: Warm weather is reducing terrain, with most resorts only 5–35% open.
• New Zealand: Up to 50cm of fresh snow has boosted conditions, with more heavy snow forecast.
• Argentina: Cold, snowy weather continues, with most major resorts over two-thirds open.
• Chile: Excellent spring conditions continue, with Corralco topping 4m for the world’s deepest snow cover.

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE INTRODUCTION

Australia’s ski areas continue into September, but +9 to +10°C daytime temperatures are eroding cover, leaving only 5%–35% of terrain open. New Zealand received up to 50cm (20") of snow, although winds, rain and landslips disrupted operations. The Andes have the world’s deepest snow and most open terrain. Las Leñas has Argentina’s deepest cover at 3m, while Chile’s major centres are near 100% open. Corralco has the world’s deepest cover at over 4m (15+ feet). In Africa, Afriski ended its season Monday but remains open for snow play while snow lasts.

AUSTRALIA REPORT

Australia’s open ski areas are continuing into September, helped by cold nights for snowmaking and some fresh snow. Thredbo reported successive nights of snowmaking, but daytime highs of +9 to +10°C are impacting cover. Most areas have 5%–35% of terrain open and thinning bases. Thredbo (40/90cm / 16/36”) has the deepest cover and about a third of runs open. Perisher (45/75cm / 18/30”) has lost about a third of its base and has around 30% of runs skiable.

AUSTRALIA FORECAST

Mostly mild conditions continue this week, with slope-level overnight lows of -1 to +8°C. Early conditions will be settled, with variable cloud and occasional light showers, often sleet or rain. A temperature dip late in the week may bring light alpine snow, but rain is increasingly likely by week’s end, particularly on lower slopes, potentially softening remaining cover.

NEW ZEALAND REPORT

New Zealand received up to 50cm (20”) of snow, but strong winds, rain and landslides disrupted operations. Coronet Peak (60/90cm / 24/36”) is 95% open with improved coverage. Cardrona (80/100cm / 32/40”) returned to fully open and extended its season to October 18th. Treble Cone (70/106cm / 28/43”) reopened Sunday after avalanche and landslide work, with its deepest cover and most open terrain of the season. Broken River saw 40cm of snow followed by rain and gales, while further snow and winds have caused occasional closures. Mt Hutt (126/186cm / 50/74”) has the country’s deepest cover.

NEW ZEALAND FORECAST

Another cold, wintry week is forecast, with significant snowfall and sub-zero temperatures. Persistent snow is expected across both islands, with Southern Alps totals commonly exceeding 40–50cm (16–20") and lighter steady accumulations elsewhere. Temperatures at elevation will remain below freezing, falling to -10°C overnight. Top resorts could receive 30–70cm (12–28") through the week.

ARGENTINA REPORT

Argentina remains wintry, with frequent light snow and cold temperatures maintaining firm cover, although some bases are thin. Most areas are seeing ongoing snowfall, with summit temperatures around −4°C overnight and 10–20cm (4–8”) accumulating most days. Las Leñas (120/300cm / 48/120") has the country’s deepest cover and received over a metre (40") on higher terrain. Chapelco (12/134cm / 5/55”) received around 15cm (6") on Monday and has 95% of slopes open. Cerro Bayo (5/85cm / 2/36”) has steady snow, while Cerro Castor has around 1cm forecast. Most major resorts have more than two-thirds of terrain open.

ARGENTINA FORECAST

A colder week is developing, with sustained sub-zero nights. Current systems could bring up to 30cm (12”) more by the end of Thursday. Temperatures will range from 4°C to −10°C depending on elevation, keeping freezing levels low and snow quality generally good. Light snow continues through the weekend, followed by clear skies early next week and colder air reinforcing wintry conditions.

CHILE REPORT

Conditions are excellent in Chile as spring skiing begins, with several larger centres planning to operate into October. Most ski areas, particularly in the central and northern Andes, have some of the world’s deepest bases and are 100% open or nearly so. Portillo (200/305cm / 80/122”) has fully reopened its access roads after closures through much of July and August. Corralco (140/400cm / 56/160”) has the world’s deepest reported snow depth, exceeding 4m (160”). Most of the country has been dry and clear since the weekend, with temperatures between -5 and +5°C, while southern areas have seen further snow showers. Canadian, French, Czech and US ski teams were reported training at La Parva (60/150cm / 24/60”).

CHILE FORECAST

A mixed but increasingly wintry pattern is developing across the Chilean Andes. The Central Andes remain mostly dry, with freeze–thaw cycles, temperatures between 7°C and −2°C, and only brief flurries possible from a weak late-week front. Farther south, more active systems will bring steady snow, colder air and 10–15cm of new snow, with freezing levels near 1,500m. Sub-zero nights will preserve snow quality, while passing fronts may bring periods of low visibility.

• The Andes remain deeply snow-covered, with Chile now topping 4m of snow.
• Warm weather has reduced open terrain to just 5–35% at remaining resorts.
• Up to 50cm of fresh snow has improved conditions, with Cardrona extending its season.
• Summer skiing remains limited, but preparations for the 2026–27 season are underway.

World Overview

Springtime is here now in the Southern Hemisphere, and as usual this season there's a wide variety of conditions across the four main skiing nations south of the equator. In the Andes, reports remain deeply buried and fully open, the world's deepest reported cover now topping 4m (160") for the first time this winter at a resort in Chile.

Things remain more challenging for Australia’s difficult 2026 ski season. Here, overnight freezes have enabled fresh snowmaking on upper slopes, but warm afternoons near +10°C have cut skiable terrain to 5–35% of runs in still-open areas. Thredbo reports the deepest cover at 90cm up top whilst Perisher has seen notable base loss but still offers about 30% of terrain.

Across in New Zealand, ski fields received up to 50cm of new snow before last weekend, improving cover but creating operational challenges due to wind, rain and landslips. Treble Cone reopened on Sunday after several days closed, reporting its best conditions of the season, and Cardrona has announced its season will now continue past mid-October. The 2026 season has now definitely ended at Lesotho’s Afriski, the only remaining lift-accessed outdoor skiing on the African continent.

It's the start of (meteorological) autumn in the northern hemisphere, and dry, sunny weather has dominated the Alps, with freezing levels fluctuating between 3,500–4,500 m. Glaciers are seeing overnight freeze–thaw cycles again, and daytime temperatures at 3,000 m remain moderate. Groomers have been spotted working on Zermatt’s highest slopes. Light overnight snow has dusted several glaciers, but not enough for the currently temporarily closed summer ski centres to reopen. Italian resort Livigno created a 1 km cross‑country track using stored winter snow for its 44th Gara da li Contrada, held despite +20 °C highs. 

Copper Mountain’s hike‑to park is still operating, and Colorado resorts plan to begin snowmaking soon. Skiing continues at over 150 indoor snow centres and the hundreds of artificial surface dry slopes worldwide whilst anticipation starts to build for the start of the 26-27 season in the northern hemisphere as well as snowmaking getting underway later this month.

New Zealand’s largest ski area, Cardrona Alpine Resort, has announced that it is extending its season by a week. It is now set to stay open until Sunday October 18, with a resort spokesperson saying the decision is due to good mid-season snowfall and great conditions across the mountain.

The extension comes off the back of consistent late-season snow levels over recent years, and answers one of the most common requests from skiers and snowboarders keen to keep their season going a little longer.

Cardrona and Treble Cone Chief Mountains Officer Laura Hedley says the extension is a welcome bonus for both locals and visitors this spring.

"We've had some great snow in the lead-up to spring, and extending the season by a week means more time on the mountain for everyone. It's something our guests ask for every year, and we’re stoked to be able to offer it for them in 2026. Pair that with our spring deals, and there's never been a better time to get up here for one last hit of the season."

New Zealand’s ski areas are often the last to close in the southern hemisphere, overlapping with the first glacier and snow-farmed resorts opening in Europe for their new season.  Besides Cardrona, Mt Hutt, which is currently posting the country’s deepest base at nearly 2m (80”), usually stays open to late October too and on the North Island, Whakapapa and Turoa on Mt Ruapehu have stayed open into “Snowvember” in the past.  This year South America’s Valle Nevado in Chile has so far also extended its season to 18^th October.

Ski areas in Western Canada have been reporting fresh snowfall in the final days of summer, raising pre-season excitement levels.

There's currently no ski areas open in Canada, but Sunshine near Banff, pictured below on Sunday, was one of those that has reported snowfall in the past few days, is usually one of the first in the country to open in about two months time.

Ski areas in BC reporting summer snowfall included Panorama, pictured top, and Kicking Horse, below. Summer snowfall was also reported on high terrain in the northern US, including along the Beartooth Highway between Wyoming and Montana.

Whilst a growing number of resorts now stockpile some of the previous winter’s snow to use for base building at the start of the following season, a few use the same technique to supply snow for unique summer events.

Italy’s high-altitude 2026 winter Olympic hosts Livigno falls into the latter category, staging it’s annual  ‘Gara da li Contrada’ cross-country ski event for the 44^th time this week.

The popular event delivers a surreal sight as the village centre in full summer mode lined with flower boxes is transformed into a genuine cross‑country ski track.  What is normally a pedestrian zone became a kilometre-long ribbon of real snow, laid out across the streets for an evening where sport, tradition and community pride converge.

Some years the night opens with what’s thought to be the only cross‑country ski race held in August, drawing elite athletes for a high‑intensity 1 km sprint. Crowds pack the barriers as racers tackle tight corners and rapid transitions on the stored snow, turning Livigno’s summer air into a winter‑sport arena.

However for many fans, along with freestyle and snowboard aerial demonstrations and live music performers, there’s also a very popular all-comers race with competitors dressing in historic skiwear.

Residents and visitors lined balconies, doorways and temporary stands to cheering on participants in what has become a major event in Livigno’s cultural calendar.

New Zealand’s ski areas are celebrating a big snowfall boost just before the start of meteorological spring, …kind of.

On the upside, resorts reported up to 50cm (20”) of fresh snow, but they also saw gales at times and heavy rain following the snow in some case.

All that has led to slope prep and avalanche safety issues, with some resort access roads also hit by land slips.

“While today wasn’t the absolute perfect pow-day, there was still plenty of fun to be had. All of the snow released throughout the day creating soft landings off trail, and reliable turns on trail. Our base is looking good now, and we can’t wait for the next storm!” a spokesperson for Coronet Peak said.

The country’s largest resort, Cardrona, also reported mixed conditions:

“Conditions were tricky out there - 50cm of fresh snow and a varying freezing level left us with some... variable snow conditions to say the least. It meant we weren't able to get as much open as we'd have liked, with our team focused on lots of digging and avalanche mitigation across the resort. A huge thanks to everyone up the maunga today for your patience. The good news is, it's filled in some gaps and left us with plenty of coverage going into spring and there could be more on the way over the next week.”

However Treble Cone warned it will be closed again tomorrow, Saturday 29 August, stating,

“Our teams continue the work required to make the mountain and access road safe following this storm. Overnight we had heavy rain at across the mountain, on top of an already heavy snowpack. This has created a complex avalanche situation. Patrol has been working hard today, including helicopter avalanche control, and will continue this work tomorrow. Access to the mountain has also been challenging, with several large landslides blocking the road. The reality is that it will take some time to safely clear the road and manage the avalanche risk before we can reopen.”

Broken River said it had been “a wild ride over the last day!” with 40 cm (16”) of new snow falling in the morning, followed by over 40 mm of rain and gale force winds. But they said things are good to go again tomorrow.

• Alps: High-elevation glaciers got light snow, but warm weather keeps key resorts closed.
• Scandinavia: Norway’s Galdhøpiggen remains shut until late September.
• North America: Outdoor skiing is closed, though resorts are prepping for early-fall snowmaking.
• Global Options: Outdoor skiing is limited strictly to indoor snow centers and dry slopes.

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE REPORT

Light snowfall returned to higher Alpine slopes this week, mainly above 3,500 m, while lower elevations saw rain. Around 10cm (4”) accumulations were reported on glaciers in Austria, France (Les 2 Alpes), Italy (Plateau Rosa above Cervinia) and Switzerland at the end of last week, and there have been similar falls over the last few days too.

It’s not yet enough to allow the temporarily closed glacier ski areas at Passo Stelvio, Saas‑Fee or Zermatt to resume operations, but the shift back toward sub‑freezing nights has been widely welcomed after months of unusually high freezing levels, generally remaining above 4,000 m and the level of most skiable glaciers. With overnight lows now dropping back below zero Celsius above 3,000m, glaciers are once again experiencing a regular freeze–thaw cycle, something not seen since spring in many regions.

Norway’s Galdhøpiggen, Scandinavia’s only summer ski centre, also remains shut as part of its now familiar operating rhythm, with reopening expected for the latter half of September.

There’s currently no outdoor lift-served areas open anywhere in North America, except for those with dryland slope set ups including the park set up at Ski Ward in Massachusetts and dry slope centres like the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Sky Tavern ski area in Nevada used a TechnoAlpin SnowFactory to make some snow in summer at the weekend, but it was just used for ‘snow play’ rather than sliding. Regular resorts have notably stepped-up pre-season marketing, many focused on the hoped-for abundant snowfall from the so-called 'Super El Niño' without focusing too hard on the small print about which areas are most likely to benefit, and which are likely to see a below-average winter for snow.  The first resorts expect to open in about two months.  Loveland in Colorado posted this week that it expects to start snowmaking in less than 40 days.

For the moment, lift‑served skiing in the northern hemisphere is limited to indoor centres. Around 150 indoor snow facilities across more than 30 countries continue to offer year‑round skiing and boarding. Hundreds of dry slopes and ski conveyors provide further options to keep skiing and boarding whatever the weather in an even wider range of nations.

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE FORECAST

Back to a warm, stable late‑summer pattern dominating the upper Alps, with the freezing point frequently rising above 4000 m, keeping most high‑alpine terrain in milder conditions unfortunately. Mostly sunny skies are forecast with strong daytime warming. Overnight lows may get just below freezing only on the highest glaciers, limiting any meaningful refreeze. Visibility stays excellent, winds generally light, and no significant snowfall is indicated.

• Light snow and freezing nights returned to the Alps, but Northern Hemisphere outdoor skiing remains largely closed.
• Rain and mild weather forced early closures in Australia, restricting skiing to higher terrain.
• New Zealand, Argentina, and Chile boast strong conditions, with Chile recording the world's deepest snow.
• Africa's ski season is briefly extended through August 31, 2026.

With autumn fast approaching in the northern hemisphere, and spring in the southern (both starting next week if you take the meteorological measure of the seasons), it continues to be quite a divided picture for conditions between hemispheres and, in the southern one at least, between ski nations. In the northern hemisphere, light snowfall returned to the higher Alps this week, mainly above 3,500 m, with around 10 cm falling on glaciers in Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland.

Similar light top‑ups have continued in recent days. It’s still not enough for Passo Stelvio, Saas‑Fee or Zermatt to reopen, but the return of sub‑freezing nights has been widely welcomed after months of freezing levels above 4,000 m. With overnight lows now dipping below zero above 3,000 m, glaciers are finally seeing a regular freeze–thaw cycle again. Norway’s Galdhøpiggen remains shut too until its usual September reopening. North America currently has no outdoor lift‑served skiing, aside from dry‑slope parks such as Ski Ward and Liberty Mountain Snowflex. For now, northern hemisphere lift‑served skiing is limited to indoor centres and hundreds of dry slopes worldwide.

South of the equator, Australia’s ski areas have faced another difficult week as mild weather and rain eroded already thin snowpack, forcing early closures at several resorts. The remaining centres open, which include most of the country's larger resorts, are concentrating operations on higher terrain, where snow is holding up better and it was cold enough for fresh snowmaking some nights. Perisher and Thredbo in particular retain respectable upper‑mountain depths.

By contrast, New Zealand continues to outperform the region, posting frequent snowfall, consistently cold temperatures and near‑complete openings at most ski areas. Bases remain strong heading into September, led by Mt Hutt’s deep cover and Cardrona’s fully open, extensive groomed terrain. Argentina is reporting its best coverage of the season, with 60–90% of terrain open and a mix of sunshine in the south and renewed snowfall in the north. Catedral leads in groomed terrain, while Las Leñas dominates overall acreage and reports 3m (10 feet) of snow lying.

Chile tops everywhere else, though, for open terrain (the 3 Valleys linked to Valle Nevado, El Colorado and La Parva topping the world total for skiable runs with over 115km between them). Chile is also posting the world's deepest cover, and a growing number of resorts there have announced season extensions well into October. In Africa, the 2026 season was expected to end after the season-closing Winterfest festival, but the centre has since said it is staying open to next Monday, 31st August.

• Australia: Rain and heat forced early closures, restricting open runs to high terrain.
• New Zealand: Excellent conditions nationwide with 95–100% of terrain open.
• Argentina: Broad 60–90% coverage with fresh snow returning to northern slopes.
• Chile & Africa: Chile leads global snow depth and open terrain; Africa is closed.

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE INTRODUCTION

Australia's season keeps struggling as warmth and rain thin cover, forcing early closures at Mt Baw Baw and Selwyn; remaining resorts hold 45–65% terrain, with Perisher and Thredbo deepest up top. New Zealand leads the region with 95–100% terrain open nationwide thanks to steady snow and cold, though weekend winds caused closures—Mt Hutt has the deepest base, fully open Cardrona the biggest network. Argentina has its best terrain coverage of the winter (60–90% open) and deepest snow, with sun in the south and fresh snow returning north; Catedral leads groomed terrain, Las Leñas has the most skiable acreage. Chile still tops world snow depth (up to 3.2m/11ft) and open terrain (115km+ across its Three Valleys), with fresh snow returning after a sunny weekend and several resorts extending their seasons. Africa's season appears over, with Lesotho's Afriski closing after its Winterfest.

AUSTRALIA REPORT

Warm weather and rain hit Australia's thin snowpack this week. Mt Baw Baw already announced an early season end; Selwyn closed abruptly, citing rain. Remaining resorts have their best skiing up high, with slushy, narrow lower access routes. Open terrain at larger resorts fell from 45–65% to 20–35% after more rain, sun, and above-freezing days. Perisher (50/85cm) dropped out of the world's top terrain rankings, its open runs halving from 40km to 20km since Tuesday. Thredbo (40/90cm) shows similar stats.

AUSTRALIA FORECAST

Mostly sunny conditions are expected to dominate Australian ski resorts for the coming week, with clear skies and excellent visibility across the Alps. Overnight lows dip to around –3°C, bringing frosty starts, while daytime highs climb sharply, reaching +15°C on the warmest slopes. No significant snowfall is indicated, and rain chances remain very low across most resorts. A stable high-pressure pattern keeps conditions settled, delivering spring‑like skiing.

NEW ZEALAND REPORT

Conditions remain the region's best despite some softening snow and strong winds closing many areas Sunday. A snowy week, especially up high, keeps most resorts at 95–100% open, many fully open - the strongest stats in the Southern Hemisphere. Mt Hutt (120/180cm) has the deepest snow; fully open Cardrona (45/55cm) has the most terrain (45km).

NEW ZEALAND FORECAST

South Island upper‑mountain terrain turns cold and wintry, with repeated fronts driving snowfall across high elevations and freezing levels dropping sharply. Expect fresh accumulations, periods of snow showers, and firmer, colder conditions following each system. Rain to snow transitions stay confined to lower slopes, with the alpine zone holding steady in sub‑freezing air. Meanwhile, North Island summit levels remain mostly sunny and settled, with long clear spells, lighter winds, and only brief cloud and occasional light snowfalls forecast.

ARGENTINA REPORT

Terrain hits a season peak nationwide, 60–90% open. The south is dry and sunny with highs near freezing and lows to -10C; the north has turned more unsettled with moderate-to-heavy snow since Tuesday. Catedral (60/70cm), near Bariloche, is 70% open and has the most pisted terrain. Las Leñas (120/300cm) - now with fully lift-accessible backcountry - likely has the most skiable terrain overall and the country's (and world's second-)deepest snow; another meter reportedly fell in the last 48 hours, not yet reflected in official stats.

ARGENTINA FORECAST

A snowier stretch for most areas, with repeated light-to-moderate snow and low freezing levels building upper-mountain cover from Mendoza through the central Andes. Further south (Tierra del Fuego, Cerro Castor), conditions turn drier with more sun and only isolated flurries.

CHILE REPORT

After a month of heavy snow, the past week was mostly dry and sunny (lows to -10C up high, highs to +10C at resort level), before turning unsettled again with up to 50cm of new snow by Wednesday and more falling. Portillo (195/285cm) officially extended its season to October 11th, is back to 80% open (including the Lake Run), and briefly saw its access road/border crossing fully reopen before fresh snow closed it again. Valle Nevado (90/180cm)—linked with El Colorado and La Parva (60/150cm) for a world-leading ~115km open—also extended its season, to October 18th. Corralco (153/319cm) still has the world's deepest base.

CHILE FORECAST

A mixed, unsettled pattern continues for central Chile, with recurring snow and dropping freezing levels keeping upper mountains fresh and firm, while lower slopes see rain/wet snow. Southern Chile trends drier with more sun and only isolated flurries.

There's currently nowhere open to ski snow in North America unless you hike up the summer terrain park at Copper Mountain or head indoors to Big Snow in New Jersey.

However, Nevada's Sky Tavern ski area has become the latest in a growing number worldwide to try using snowmaker TechnoAlpin's highly successful SnowFactory machines to make snow in summer. Unlike conventional snowmaking machines these make snow within refrigerated chambers before spraying the ready made snow out onto the slopes.

Sky Tavern's summer snow was reportedly used for snowman building and snowplay rather than skiing.

SnowFactories are proving increasingly popular at ski areas worldwide to guarantee at least some snow as the climate warms, particularly at the ends of the seasons or in areas where snow cover has become less predictable.

Australia's Mt Buller is believed to run more machines than any resorts, with a fifth going into service this winter and certainly proving its value with the challenging conditions experienced in the country this winter. Almost all of Scotland's centres also run the machines, often enabling them to stay open when natural cover is too thin and its too mild for conventional snowmaking.

The Utah ski area founded in 1969 and run for decades by the late great Robert Redford, that has always tried to steer a path between authenticity and decency and business realities, has announced its adding 100 acres of new terrain, accessed by Electric Horseman, a brand-new high-speed quad lift and Storyteller, a 1.7 mile groomed ridge run.

This expansion at Sundance concludes the resort's first phase of its back mountain expansion, bringing the total acreage to 605 acres of skiing and snowboarding, while looking ahead to additional expert terrain growth across future seasons.

The new lift, Electric Horseman, has been designed to dramatically improve access to Sundance Mountain Resort's back mountain terrain while increasing uphill capacity, reducing congestion, and opening new skiable terrain. With over 1,850 vertical feet (564m) per lap, the new quad will enable  faster, direct access to ski the entire back mountain on a single, high-speed lift, in just 6 minutes.

“At the heart of the terrain expansion is Storyteller, a new signature ridgeline run carved from the terrain formerly known as the Far East Ridgeline and paying homage to the stories, vision, and spirit that have shaped Sundance Resort for generation,” a resort statement outlines.

The new run, which is an upper-intermediate groomer, pairs sweeping turns with some of the most spectacular views on the mountain. For more advanced skiers, Storyteller introduces three new expert gladed chutes that weave through tree-lined terrain before flowing back to the base.

This development is the latest in a now five-year series of mountain improvements at Sundance Mountain Resort, beginning in 2021 with the resort launch of its Outlaw Express Lift which reduced its former 20-minute lift ride to the Mandan Summit to just seven minutes. The following year, Sundance Resort opened 50+ additional acres of terrain mountain access for intermediate riders, in addition to enhanced snowmaking capabilities. Two years later, Sundance Mountain Resort constructed and opened its new Mountain Camp Day Lodge, as a one-stop-shop facility to simplify the experience for day-skiers with lockers, a ticket office, ski school home base, gear rentals and more.

“Electric Horseman reflects Sundance Mountain Resort's foundation in storytelling and creative legacy. The lift name is intended to honour Sundance Mountain Resort's storytelling heritage, while reinforcing the emotional and experiential identity of the mountain to inspire new guest stories tied to the terrain, views, and skiing experience. Similarly, Storyteller honours founder Robert Redford's enduring vision of creating a place where meaningful experiences inspire stories that guests carry with them long after they leave the mountain,” the resort’s statement concludes.

A new on-snow get-together for everyone who loves snowboarding has been announced for the Austrian Alps at the start of the upcoming 26-27 season.

Taking place at in the Ziller Valley from December 4-6, 2026 the new RideON – Shredfest Hochfügen is the brainchild of the team behind the, “world’s largest on-snow snowboard industry test event,” its organisers say.

Created by the team behind SHOPS 1st TRY, the world’s largest on-snow snowboard industry test event, which brings the international snowboard industry to Zillertal every year, RideON is a brand-new snow get-together designed for snowboarders, brands, winter sports enthusiasts and its community.

For the first weekend of December, Hochfügen will become the meeting point for everyone who loves snowboarding, offering product testing, on-snow sessions, workshops, community activities and festival vibes.

More than 50 brands have already confirmed their participation, ranging from hardgoods and outerwear brands to exhibitors from the events, media, and tourism sectors. Visitors will have the opportunity to test the latest snowboards, bindings, boots, outerwear, goggles, protection gear, and other equipment, meet the people behind the brands, and to celebrate the start of winter together with fellow riders.

Hochfügen offers a FunLine, Juzi Line, Betterpark and varied freeride terrain suited to snowboarders. Its slopes reach 2,500 m, giving reliably cold early‑season conditions.

🌏 Global Weekly Snow News - 20/08/26

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World Overview

It's an unprecedented week in the northern hemisphere - the first time in our decades of snow reporting (and decades more before we started) that there isn't a single outdoor lift-served ski area open. Weeks and months of heat to high-elevation in the Alps have taken their toll; and the last of the four summer ski areas that intend to be open through the latter half of August has been forced to temporarily close like the others until things improve.  Lift-served skiing is still available at more than 100 locations in 30 countries; however, you just have to do it indoors.  We should try not to be too disheartened, though; some fresh snowfall was reported at altitude in the Rockies and ski resorts have been announcing their plans to start snowmaking for the 26-27 season in a little over a month's time, with the first set opening dates only five weeks away now.

In the southern hemisphere it's a more mixed picture. Some areas continue to post the most terrain they've had open all season, and 2026 winter openings extended from late September to mid-October. There have also been more snowfalls bolstering base depths and giving some fresh powder days. The biggest news of the week was arguably the opening for the season of the legendary Marte chairlift at Las Leñas in Argentina, which reaches nearly 3,400 meters. It unlocks some of the steepest, biggest lift-accessed off-piste terrain on Earth, featuring over 40 technical high-alpine lines, 40 to 50-degree chutes, and massive vertical drops entirely above the tree line. However, we’re also starting to see the end of the ski season arriving for some, with Africa’s only remaining lift-accessed ski area set to close for 2026 after this coming weekend and the first centre in Australia announcing its upcoming season end already too.