Where to ski in August: the surest natural snow

The short answer

Four of the 44 resorts Cirque models were snow-sure in August in at least 9 of the last 11 winters, meaning mid-mountain had 30 cm or more of modelled natural snow on at least 90% of August days. The surest: Cardrona (10 of 11 winters), Las Leñas (10 of 11 winters), Cerro Catedral (10 of 11 winters) and Treble Cone (10 of 11 winters).

29 northern-hemisphere resorts had natural snow at mid-mountain on fewer than 5% of August days, so they are left out below. The counts in brackets are snow-sure winters out of the last 11.

New Zealand

Snow-sure: Cardrona (10 of 11) and Treble Cone (10 of 11). Usually good: The Remarkables (8 of 11) and Mt Hutt (7 of 11). Hit and miss: Coronet Peak (6 of 11). A gamble: Whakapapa (2 of 11).

Australia

Hit and miss: Perisher (6 of 11), Mt Hotham (4 of 11) and Falls Creek (4 of 11). A gamble: Thredbo (2 of 11) and Mt Buller (0 of 11).

South America

Snow-sure: Las Leñas (10 of 11) and Cerro Catedral (10 of 11). Usually good: Valle Nevado (7 of 11). Hit and miss: Portillo (6 of 11).

Go high

At Coronet Peak, Portillo and Valle Nevado, the summit was snow-sure in August in at least 9 of the last 11 winters when mid-mountain was not. If you are going to one of these in August, the top of the mountain is where natural snow has been dependable.

Early or late August?

Across the resorts with snow this month, the second half of August has usually been the surer fortnight: 11 resorts had more snow-sure days late in the month and 1 resort early on. Each resort’s own month page has its numbers.

Questions

Where is the best snow for skiing in August?

Among the 44 resorts Cirque models, Cardrona (10 of 11), Las Leñas (10 of 11), Cerro Catedral (10 of 11) and Treble Cone (10 of 11) have had the most reliable natural snow in August over the last 11 winters, counted as winters where mid-mountain had 30 cm or more on at least 90% of days.

Is August a good time to ski?

In the southern hemisphere, yes: it is the main season in New Zealand, Australia and South America.

Does this include snowmaking?

No. These are modelled natural snow figures only, from ERA5 weather. Groomed pistes with snowmaking often ski better than this.

Is snow getting less reliable?

Eleven winters show how much one season differs from the next, not a long-term trend. Cirque does not draw trend conclusions from this record.