We may be over half way through the season for many resorts in Europe, North America and East Asia, but that doesn’t mean you have to hang up your skis till next November! While it may be summer in the Northern Hemisphere, for our friends in South America and Oceania summer will soon be at an end, and for resorts in countries as diverse as New Zealand, Chile and Argentina the ski season is about to begin.
- Top 5 Ski Destinationssimpologist / Foter.com / CC BY-NC
Here, then, are 5 of our favourite ski destinations in the southern hemisphere!
1) Queenstown, New Zealand
Known by many as the ‘Adventure Capital of the World’, Queenstown is one of the greatest ski destinations in either hemisphere! Popular all year around with skiers, snowboarders and – in New Zealand’s summer months – with mountain climbers, cyclists and boating enthusiasts, Queenstown has something for everyone. The scenery here is spectacular (it was used as a location in the Lord of the Rings movies), and the facilities are second to none. The nearest mountain range is known as The Remarkables, and they really do live up to their name! Queenstown is known to attract a young, adventurous crowd, and can boast an appropriately boisterous nightlife to go with it!
As well as the Coronet Peak and Remarkables resorts (both within 45 minutes of Queenstown itself), it’s just a short drive to the excellent Treble Cone and Cardrona resorts (both within 90 minutes), so a stay in Queenstown leaves you close to all the action!
2) Bariloche, Argentina
Cerro Catedral, known more popularly as Bariloche, is the largest and most popular ski resort in Argentina, and one of the most popular in the whole of South America. It boasts some truly spectacular views of Lake Nahuel Huapi and the Andes. The 1,200 hectare ski area offers a wide range of terrain, making it a great destination for beginners and experts alike, and the accommodation there ranges from 1 to 5 star, with plenty in between. Bariloche itself is picturesque, and more than earns the nickname “Little Switzerland”, and the nightlife there is lively, with a great variety of bars and restaurants. Skiers with a sweet tooth may be pleased to know that Bariloche is widely regarded as the chocolate capital of Argentina!
3) Portillo, Chile
Those looking for a more exclusive destination in South America may want to consider Portillo, in Chile. 100 miles from the capital city of Santiago, Portillo offers significantly less accommodation than others, such as Bariloche, but has a world-class reputation for steep slopes and top class facilities. The resort burst onto the global ski scene in 1968, when it became the first in South America to host the World Skiing Championships. While the Portillo resort itself may be quite small, with only 500 hectares of treeless terrain, it’s within easy reach of several other excellent resorts. From the very beginning, Portillo has been popular with skiers from the United States and Canada, so those with a limited command of Spanish needn’t worry about the language barrier, as most of the staff speak excellent English, and the catering and facilities are largely aimed at an English-speaking crowd.
4) Falls Creek, Australia
Australia may not be the first place you’d consider when planning a skiing holiday (in fact, we’re almost willing to bet money that unless you’ve lived there or gone skiing there, you didn’t even know there was skiing in Australia) but a little under 5 hours’ drive from Melbourne, in southern Victoria, you’ll find the resort of Falls Creek. Ideal for beginners and intermediates, Falls Creek is set in sprawling and scenic surroundings, on what was – until 2005 – summer grazing land. Skiing first came to Falls Creek in the late 1940s, and since then it’s built a reputation as a fun and friendly resort. As you might imagine, it’s not the most snow-sure destination on this list, and visitors in the earlier part of the season shouldn’t be surprised to find that much of the snow there is machine-made, but Falls Creek more than makes up for this with its welcoming, and relaxed vibe.
5) Ellsworth Mountains, Antarctica
Yes, this is the wildcard on our list. You’re unlikely to find a ski destination further south than Antarctica’s Ellsworth Mountains, and that’s why it makes our top 5. Regular trips there have been running for a little over 3 years, and while you may not find the nightlife as varied as, say, Queenstown (the nearest nightclub is over 2000 miles away), and the facilities aren’t a patch on Bariloche (Cerra Catedral has 37 lifts, the Ellsworth Mountains have… er… none), if you’re an experienced skier looking for something very new and exciting, a heli-skiing trip to the Ellsworth Mountains takes some beating!
Author Bio: David Llewellyn is a freelance writer and skiing enthusiast who writes for Ski Ici.
