Southern Hemisphere 2016 Ski Season to have Snowy Start
Southern Hemisphere 2016 Ski Season to have Snowy Start
Published : 04-Jun-2016 01:27
The opening of the first area in the southern hemisphere for winter 2016 is getting close, and it's looking like it will be a good start in several countries, but the two commercial ski fields in southern Africa which start their winter seasons on June 1st and 2nd are not yet quite able to open any ski runs.Both Tiffindell in South Africa and Afriski in Lesotho enjoyed good snowfalls in April and May but are now reliant on snow making. They are building bases but do not yet quite have enough snow to open. Tiffindell, which started its winter season on June 1st, says it hopes to open for snow sports in about 10 days.
Currently it looks like Mt Hutt in New Zealand will be the first in the southern hemisphere to open, next Friday 10th June. After big pre-season snowfalls it says all lifts and runs will be open from day one and that it's "the best start to the season in years."
Portillo, Chile
It's looking very good too in South America where 'El Nino' (although it is apparently waning and turning into La Nina) is being credited with some huge pre-season snowfalls there too – Portillo (pictured above this morning) claiming to have received seven feet (2.1m) of snow fall in the last seven days. The South American ski season is due to start on June 18th but some areas say they may open early.
Portillo, Chile
The Australian ski season starts on 11th June for the long holiday weekend there. There's been some pre-season snow and cold weather for snowmaking reported.
Meanwhile ski areas are still opening in the northern hemisphere! The Stryn glacier in Norway opened for its summer skiing season last weekend and another Norwegian summer ski centre at Galdhoppigen is due to open today. Resorts including Whistler in Canada, Les 2 Alpes in France and Cervinia in Italy will also re-open for glacier skiing over the next few weeks.
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