The southern hemisphere’s 2018 winter ski season has got underway in New Zealand where nearly 200 skiers and snowboarders took to the slopes of the Manganui ski field of Mt Taranaki on the North Island earlier today.
“First in the country, first in May, and I think we’re also going to claim first in the Southern Hemisphere,” Rhys Williams, President of the Stratford Mountain Club which runs the lifts told local media.
The ski area (above) is one of several opening early for the 2018 season, it’s due to be followed by the Happy Valley ski area at Whakapapa on Mt Ruapehu which will run its lifts free of charge on June 1st, then by Coronet Peak (pictured top) and Cardrona opening for advance preview days on the 2nd.
Skiing the Rockgarden – May 31st, 2018
Rockgarden is tested & will be OPEN for the weekend YEOW! Weather dependent of course but hey…it's crazy to be riding Whakapapa lower mountain this early! ???First chair will still be on the Double Happy but the Rangatira will be cranking for early season riding… what a way to spend the long weekend!#AreYouReady
Posted by Mt Ruapehu, Whakapapa & Tūroa Ski Areas on Thursday, 31 May 2018
Elsewhere in the southern hemisphere Australia’s Mt Buller plans to open, thanks to all-weather snowmaking, on Saturday 2nd June too with most other Australian areas following a week later. There’s been a little fresh snow here in the past 24 hours too.
In southern Africa there’s been a little fresh snow at the two ski areas of Afriski in Leostho and Tiffindell in South Africa which should both open next week.
The Andes of South America have also seen heavy snowfall although it’s not yet known which areas will open first there. Valle Nevado, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary this season, reported 40cm of fresh snow on May 29-30. It’s due to open for the season on June 22nd.