Where to Ski and Snowboard in the Southern Hemisphere: Resort Guide, Park Ratings and Prices

While the northern hemisphere shuts down for summer, four countries on the other side of the planet are just getting started. New Zealand, Australia, Chile and Argentina run their ski and snowboard seasons from roughly June through to October, which means serious riders can keep the turns going long after the Alps close up. This guide covers the main resorts across all four countries, when they open, what the parks are like, what lift passes cost and what to budget for accommodation. Prices and dates are based on the 2025 season. Some resorts have already confirmed 2026 dates and prices where noted, but check direct with each resort before booking as things can and do change.

New Zealand

New Zealand is the most popular southern hemisphere destination for riders from the UK and Europe. The South Island is where most of the action is, based out of two towns — Queenstown and Wanaka — both of which are within easy reach of multiple resorts.

Cardrona Alpine Resort

Cardrona sits about an hour from Queenstown and 30 minutes from Wanaka and is now New Zealand's biggest resort after the Soho Basin expansion opened in 2025 adding 150 hectares of new terrain. The 2025 season ran from June 14 to October 5. The 2026 season is estimated to open around June 27.

For park riders, Cardrona is the main event in the southern hemisphere. It has the most extensive terrain parks and halfpipes in the southern hemisphere and the park is consistently well shaped and well maintained. The halfpipe is Olympic standard and has hosted World Cup events. The jump lines are progressive and suited to everything from first-timers working up through to riders throwing big tricks. For rails and jibs, Cardrona is strong but Coronet Peak edges it slightly. For jumps and pipe, nothing in the southern hemisphere touches it.

Park rating: Jumps 9/10. Pipe 10/10. Rails and jibs 7/10. Overall 9/10.

Day lift pass 2025: NZ$113 per adult (approximately £52 or AU$105). Book online in advance, prices go up closer to the date and on peak days.

Accommodation: Most riders base in Wanaka which is 30 minutes from the resort. Wanaka is a relaxed lakeside town with a good range of places to stay. Budget options including hostels start from around NZ$95 per night. A solid 3-star hotel or self-contained apartment runs NZ$150 to NZ$250 per night. Luxury 4 to 5 star properties on the lake start from around NZ$400 per night and up. Cardrona also has a small number of on-mountain apartments that book out early. Queenstown is about an hour away and has more choice at every price point but with a busier, more tourist-heavy feel.

Coronet Peak and The Remarkables

Both resorts sit within 20 to 45 minutes of Queenstown and share the NZSki Superpass, meaning one pass gets you both mountains plus Mt Hutt in Canterbury. Coronet Peak opened June 6 in 2025. The Remarkables opened around the same time. The 2026 season is expected to open late June at both resorts.

Coronet Peak is New Zealand's original commercial ski field and is known for its long days, reliable snowmaking and the best night skiing in the country. Wednesday and Friday nights the lifts run until 9pm, which is something you will not find anywhere else in the southern hemisphere. For park riders, Coronet Peak's rail and jib setups are the best in Queenstown and attract a strong local snowboard and park ski scene. The feature variety is good and the park crew takes it seriously.

Park rating (Coronet Peak): Jumps 7/10. Pipe 6/10. Rails and jibs 8/10. Overall 7/10.

The Remarkables is better for all-mountain and intermediate skiing, with a wider spread of terrain and good views over the Queenstown valley. Less of a park resort, more of a full mountain experience.

Day lift pass 2025: NZ$105 to NZ$159 per adult depending on date and advance booking (approximately £48 to £73 or AU$98 to AU$148). The Superpass multi-day option brings the daily rate down significantly.

Accommodation: Queenstown is the base for both resorts. A 3-star hotel in Queenstown averages around NZ$210 per night (approximately £97 or AU$196). Budget hostels start from around NZ$70 per night. 4-star options average around NZ$247 per night. 5-star starts from around NZ$785. There is a wide range of Airbnb apartments in town which often work out better value for groups or anyone staying more than a few days.

Australia

Perisher, New South Wales

Perisher is the largest ski resort in the southern hemisphere, spread across four interconnected resort areas with 47 lifts, over 100 runs and 3,076 acres of terrain in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales. The 2025 season ran from June 7 to October 6. The 2026 season is estimated to open around June 6.

Perisher has more terrain parks than any other Australian resort and is the go-to for Australian park riders. There are multiple parks across the mountain catering to different levels. The rails and box setups are well built and regularly maintained throughout the season. Jump lines are solid and a mini halfpipe sits within the park area. For the volume and variety of park features, Perisher delivers more than anywhere else in Australia. Night skiing is also available, with Tuesday and Saturday evening sessions running under lights in Front Valley.

Park rating: Jumps 7/10. Pipe 5/10. Rails and jibs 8/10. Overall 7/10.

Day lift pass 2025: AU$183 to AU$240 per adult depending on date and advance booking (approximately £88 to £115 or NZ$196 to NZ$257). The Epic Australia 4-Day Pass was AU$565 (approximately £271) giving access to Perisher, Falls Creek and Hotham across four days. Booking well in advance is the best way to save.

Accommodation: Most riders stay in Jindabyne, a small town about 30 minutes from the resort. Budget hostel style accommodation starts from around AU$80 per night. Mid-range hotels and self-contained apartments run AU$150 to AU$300 per night. On-mountain accommodation at Perisher itself exists and is convenient but costs significantly more, often AU$500 and up per night during peak periods. Jindabyne is the best balance of value and access for most people.

South America

South America is the wilder option. The Andes deliver some of the biggest snowfall in the southern hemisphere and the culture is completely different to New Zealand or Australia. Less polished, more raw, with deep powder and massive terrain. Both Chile and Argentina run from around late June to early October.

Valle Nevado and La Parva, Chile

Valle Nevado is South America's largest ski resort, sitting at around 3,025 metres base elevation in the Andes about 90 minutes east of Santiago. The 2025 season opened June 20 and ran through early October. Valle Nevado and its neighbouring resort La Parva were recently acquired by the same company and can now be skied on a single ticket, giving access to over 4,000 acres of combined terrain, 87 runs and 30 lifts.

For freeride and off-piste skiing and snowboarding, Valle Nevado and La Parva are exceptional. The Andes terrain is steep, wide and often untracked even mid-season. For park riders, the setup is more limited compared to New Zealand but has improved in recent years. The focus here is on big mountain riding rather than urban park features. If you are coming specifically for rails and jibs this is not your first stop. If you are coming for powder days and big lines this is exactly where you want to be.

Park rating: Jumps 6/10. Pipe 4/10. Rails and jibs 5/10. Overall 5/10. Freeride and off-piste 10/10.

Day lift pass 2025: Approximately USD$75 to USD$90 per adult depending on day (approximately £59 to £71 or AU$116 to AU$140). Children 12 and under and adults 75 and over ski free. Ikon Pass, Mountain Collective and Power Pass holders all have benefits at Valle Nevado, which can reduce costs significantly for multi-resort pass holders.

Accommodation: Valle Nevado has three on-mountain hotels with ski-in ski-out access and packages including lift passes and meals. These are convenient but come at a price, with packages starting from around USD$200 per person per night in mid-season. Many riders choose to stay in Santiago and make the 90-minute drive up. A mid-range 3-star hotel in Santiago runs approximately USD$80 to USD$150 per night. Budget options and Airbnb apartments in Santiago can start from around USD$40 per night.

Cerro Catedral, Bariloche, Argentina

Cerro Catedral near the city of Bariloche in Patagonia is South America's biggest ski resort by terrain, with around 1,200 hectares, 120km of pistes and over 60 runs served by 34 lifts. The resort sits within the Nahuel Huapi National Park and has one of the most spectacular settings of any resort in the southern hemisphere, with views across two lakes and the Andes. The 2025 season typically opened in late June and ran through to late September. The 2026 season is estimated to open around June 27.

Catedral has a terrain park that has been upgraded over the years and includes rails, boxes, kickers and a jib area. It is not at the level of Cardrona or Perisher for dedicated park riders but it is well enough set up for a solid session. The real draw at Catedral is the off-piste and backcountry terrain. The upper mountain holds snow well, the tree skiing on the lower mountain is excellent in a good season and the sidecountry and backcountry access is almost unlimited for experienced riders.

Park rating: Jumps 6/10. Pipe 4/10. Rails and jibs 6/10. Overall 6/10. Off-piste and backcountry 9/10.

Day lift pass 2025: Approximately USD$97 per adult (approximately £77 or AU$150) as reported in June 2025. Note that Catedral does not currently sell tickets online in advance and lines at the ticket window during peak periods can be long. Paying in US dollars at the resort is often recommended as the exchange rate is typically more favourable than paying in local pesos.

Accommodation: Bariloche is a full ski town 19km from the resort with a wide range of options at every price point. The town has a genuinely great food and drink scene including famous handmade chocolates, local craft beer and excellent Patagonian steak restaurants. Budget hostels in Bariloche start from around USD$12 to USD$50 per night depending on whether you want a dorm bed or a private room. Mid-range 3-star hotels average around USD$73 to USD$126 per night. 4-star options run from around USD$150 to USD$235 in peak season. Luxury properties like the iconic Llao Llao Resort start from around USD$400 per night. There are also good Airbnb options in town and in the neighbourhoods along the lake road towards the resort.

Sorting Your Gear Before You Go

One thing worth thinking about before you book flights is your gear. If you are travelling from the UK or Europe for a southern hemisphere season, shipping or carrying snow pants overseas adds cost and hassle. SnowRipper ships worldwide for free and delivery to Australia takes around 10 working days, so if you order before you fly there is enough time to have your pants waiting when you land or sent directly to where you are staying. The Drift comes in adult sizes XS to XL and kids sizes from age 5. 20,000mm waterproofing, fully taped seams and a 3L breathable shell ready for wherever the southern hemisphere takes you.

See the full range: baggy snow pants, baggy ski pants and baggy snowboard pants.