Hitting The Slopes In Summer

Going skiing in July is not the first thing you might think of when planning your summer holiday. But if you’re a true ski bum and you want that soft powder under your feet all year-round, consider heading south for the summer.

Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand © Abaconda | Flickr

New Zealand offers fantastic places to ski, with Queenstown its most popular destination. The best time to go there is in June, the start of the season for which there are huge celebrations and wild parties to get things going.

If a more private scene is what you’re after, then head to Valle Nevado, Chile. It boasts fantastic powder and beautiful views, and is the part of most skiable area of the southern hemisphere. It’s a journey to get there, but it’s more than worth it.

Portillo, Chile © Soren Egeberg | Dreamstime

On the same continent, Argentina is home to some of the most beautiful skiing destinations in the world. Las Lenas has become a focal point for extreme skiing aficionados. With the highest elevated skiing area in Argentina, the snow is equally high in quality.

Snow doesn’t always have to be present to be able to go snowboarding, however. In Leon, Nicaragua, you have the incredible opportunity to go sand boarding on the active volcano known locally as “Cerro Negro”. The thrills are the same, but when you fall you’re not greeted by refreshing snow anymore, instead you risk sandpapering your head.