Ski Season Isn’t Over — It Just Moved to the Southern Hemisphere
Your Guide to Summer Skiing in South America, New Zealand & a Bit of the Alps
Let’s set the scene: it’s July, your friends are roasting in 90-degree heat, and you? You’re zipping down fresh powder in the Andes or sipping a Central Otago pinot after a morning run in Queenstown. Because plot twist — summer is actually ski season... if you know where to look.
Whether you're craving dramatic mountain drops in Chile or postcard-perfect alpine towns in New Zealand, summer skiing in the Southern Hemisphere is the ultimate way to flip the script. And yes, you can still après-ski in style.
Here’s where to go, where to stay, and what to eat while everyone else is sweating through their linen.
🇨🇱 Chile: High Altitude, Higher Vibes
Valle Nevado
Just 90 minutes from Santiago, this is the South American ski spot everyone should have on their radar — big mountain energy, dramatic views, and plenty of space to carve.
The Scene: It’s South America’s largest ski area with over 7,000 acres of terrain and elevations over 10,000 ft. Expect wide groomers, epic off-piste, and clear blue skies for days.
When to Go: June through September, with July/August being peak snow.
Where to Stay:
Hotel Valle Nevado (from ~$400/night): All-inclusive, ski-in/ski-out, and just steps from the lifts. Not ultra-luxury but convenient, comfy, and a great base.
Photo of Hotel Valle Nevado by Powder.com Ski Portillo (a bit further north, but iconic): More old-school charm with a serious cult following.
Dining & Après: Resort dining is mostly hotel-based (don’t expect Michelin stars), but nothing beats fondue and Chilean wine after a day in the Andes.
Pro Tip: Don’t just treat Santiago as a pit stop — it’s the underrated prelude your ski trip deserves. Spend a few nights soaking up the city’s buzzy neighborhoods like Lastarria and Bellavista, where colonial charm meets cool rooftop bars and late-night pisco sours. By day, do a private wine tasting in the Maipo Valley — it’s only an hour from the city and home to some of Chile’s most iconic reds (think: Carmenère and Cabernet straight from the source). Add in a ceviche lunch with Andes views, a stroll through the artsy streets of Barrio Italia, and maybe a quick detour to the incredible Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino… then make your way up to the mountains.
🇦🇷 Argentina: Ski + Steak + Malbec = Bliss
Cerro Catedral, Bariloche
Patagonia’s crown jewel. Think Swiss-style mountain town meets Latin flair.
The Scene: Cerro Catedral is the largest lift-accessed ski resort in South America. Powder? Yes. Views of Lake Nahuel Huapi? Epic.
When to Go: July through early September is prime.
Where to Stay:
Llao Llao Hotel & Resort (from ~$500/night): Legendary. Think old-world glamour, Argentine charm, and spa views that’ll make your jaw drop.
Villa Beluno (from ~$600/night): A boutique gem with sleek design, an incredible patisserie, and lakefront rooms.
Where to Eat:
El Boliche de Alberto: The steakhouse of dreams. No frills, just grilled perfection.
Butterfly: Upscale tasting menus on the lake — a splurge but worth it.
Why Go: Combine powder runs with lakeside sunsets and Argentina’s best wine. What’s not to love?
🇳🇿 New Zealand: Adventure Capital Meets Alpine Playground
New Zealand might just be the most magical place to ski in the summer — With its dramatic Southern Alps, crystal-clear lakes, and perfectly groomed terrain, it’s hard to believe you're skiing in July. But here’s the real secret: even if you never touched a ski, you’d still have an unforgettable trip. Think heli-hiking, glacier flights, wine tastings in Gibbston Valley, soaking in outdoor hot tubs, and some of the best food and coffee in the Southern Hemisphere. The ski towns of Queenstown and Wanaka offer it all — world-class runs, boutique luxury stays, and off-slope adventure at every turn. It’s the kind of place where you come for the snow, and stay for everything else.
Queenstown & Wanaka: The Twin Stars
Cardrona Alpine Resort
The Vibe: Family-friendly, sunny, and super well-run. Great for cruisers and park riders alike.
Where to Stay:
The Spire Hotel Queenstown (from ~$550/night): Intimate and stylish with serious service.
QT Queenstown (from ~$400/night): Funky, fun, and fabulous views of Lake Wakatipu.
Where to Eat:
Rātā by Josh Emett: Contemporary NZ cuisine with a focus on local produce.
Fergburger: Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, it’s iconic. Yes, it’s worth the line.
Off-Slope Bonus: Wine tasting in Gibbston Valley. You didn’t ski all day not to reward yourself with pinot noir.
Treble Cone
The Vibe: Steeper, more challenging, and beloved by experienced skiers.
Where to Stay: Base in nearby Wanaka, which is smaller and more laid-back than Queenstown but equally stunning.
Edgewater Hotel (from ~$300/night): Right on the lake, with cozy rooms and a great breakfast spread.
Why Go: The Southern Alps are wildly photogenic, the runs are long, and the après is as relaxed or raucous as you want it to be.
❄️ Bonus Round: Summer Skiing in Switzerland (Yes, Really)
If the idea of skiing in July sounds like a fever dream, let me introduce you to Switzerland’s best-kept (but very snow-covered) secret: glacier skiing. Yes, even in the middle of summer, you can click into your skis and hit the slopes — no snow machines, no tricks, just real alpine magic at altitude.
Zermatt, Switzerland
Zermatt isn’t just charming — it’s one of the only places in the world where you can ski 365 days a year. At the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, you’ll be carving down runs at nearly 4,000 meters with the iconic Matterhorn looming in the background like it’s personally cheering you on. In the summer, you’ve got around 21km of skiable terrain, plus terrain parks for freestylers who want to work on their tricks without the crowds.
Where to Stay: CERVO Mountain Resort (from ~$600/night) gives sleek alpine cool meets laid-back luxury, while Mont Cervin Palace (from ~$700/night) offers classic five-star Swiss grandeur with a pool you’ll actually want to use. And yes — book through me and you'll get perks like daily breakfast, resort credits, and potential room upgrades.
Where to Eat: Don’t skip Chez Vrony — it’s the mountaintop lunch spot dreams are made of. Order the rösti, sip a glass of wine, and pretend you live there. It’s good for the soul.
Saas-Fee, Switzerland
Zermatt’s quieter but equally snow-blessed neighbor, Saas-Fee is another high-altitude gem offering summer skiing on the Allalin Glacier through mid-July. Known for its dramatic peaks and car-free village charm, it’s perfect for those who want their turns with a side of serenity. It also has one of the world’s highest revolving restaurants — the views alone are worth the trip.
Where to Stay: The Capra (from ~$400/night) is a boutique hotel with cozy-chic rooms, a dreamy spa, and personalized service that makes you feel like you’ve been coming for years.
Why It’s Special: Fewer crowds, softer snow, and the kind of peaceful beauty that makes you forget it’s technically “off-season.”
Bottom line? You don’t have to fly across the world to ski in the summer. Switzerland has been quietly keeping the snow going year-round — and doing it in style. All you have to do is show up (ideally in layers).
💡 Why Book Through Me?
This is where the “luxury” part of “luxury travel” really kicks in:
Daily breakfast, resort credits, upgrades, and flexible check-in/out
Hotels you actually want to stay in (not ones your cousin’s travel agent recommended in 2006)
Real, on-the-ground insight — I’ll tell you which room gets the sunset and which one has a view of the parking lot
Lets chat — Email me!
🏔 Final Word: Trade Your Spritz for Snow
Summer skiing isn’t just a flex — it’s a whole vibe. Whether you’re après-ing in Argentina or chasing powder in New Zealand, this is how you do winter when everyone else is doing watermelon.
So: are you in your ski era year-round now? Or do I need to tempt you with a glass of Chilean Syrah and a view of the Andes?
Want to turn this into a summer-to-remember trip? I’ll handle the logistics. You handle the fun.