Valle Nevado Hotel Chile | Image:ChileanSki.com

When winter shifts below the equator, skiers and snowboarders in the Southern Hemisphere chase the deepest snow they can find. A recent study analyzed more than 15 years of mid-mountain snowfall records across Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, and Chile. The results revealed which resorts consistently deliver the most snow, and when during the season powder hunters have the best odds.

New Zealand and Australia

Treble Cone overlooking Lake Wanaka, New Zealand | Image: Wanaka

In New Zealand, Treble Cone emerged as the snowiest resort with an impressive 137 inches (349 cm) of snowfall recorded between June and September. That figure is more than double Australia’s totals and nearly 90 percent higher than Coronet Peak near Queenstown.

In Australia, Falls Creek topped the list with 78 inches (199 cm) of snowfall during the same period. It historically receives 39 percent more snow than Thredbo, while Perisher also trailed significantly. The data highlighted a consistent trend: New Zealand resorts usually outpace Australia in snowfall.

South America

Nevados de Chillan blanketed in fresh snow | Image: Experience Chille

For skiers who want the deepest turns, South America is where the numbers truly stand out. Nevados de Chillan in Chile ranked as the snowiest ski resort in the entire Southern Hemisphere, averaging a massive 272 inches (691 cm) of snow across the season.

Cerro Catedral in Argentina followed with 186 inches (473 cm), while Valle Nevado in Chile rounded out the leading trio. These totals are more than three times higher than many resorts in Australia and New Zealand, making South America a magnet for powder chasers.

Timing the Storms

Weekly snowfall averages tracked across 15 years | Image: National Weather Service

The analysis also looked at when each resort typically sees its strongest weeks of snowfall. While patterns vary by country, one standout emerged: Nevados de Chillan’s fourth week of August averaged 27 inches (68 cm), making it the single snowiest week across all resorts studied.

Understanding when snow is most reliable can help skiers plan the perfect trip, though climate variability continues to play a role. Ed Raine, Director of Snow Season Central, emphasized the importance of unbiased data sources, noting that advertised snowfall numbers on resort websites often fail to reflect recent conditions.

Why It Matters

Valle Nevado lift system on a bluebird powder day | Image: Freeskier Magazine

With climate change altering snow patterns worldwide, data-driven insights help travelers choose destinations where snow conditions are more secure. For the Southern Hemisphere, the difference is dramatic: while Australia offers accessible skiing with strong resort culture, South America’s numbers dominate for pure powder.

Methodology at a Glance

Snow Season Central gathered data from Snow Forecast, focusing on mid-mountain snowfall between 2007 and 2022. Resorts in Australia and New Zealand were included if they had at least 10 kilometers of terrain, while Chile and Argentina required 35 kilometers due to larger resort sizes. Weekly snowfall data was compiled from June 1 through September 30, producing both seasonal totals and week-by-week averages.

Final Turns

The study confirms what many skiers already suspected. New Zealand edges out Australia in snow totals, but South America towers above both. If you are chasing storms below the equator, Nevados de Chillan, Cerro Catedral, and Valle Nevado are the names to circle on your list.

And wherever you ride, Shredder makes it easy to track your days, compare resorts, and relive your best powder turns all season long.