Industry News
May 7, 2026 — and snow fell today across five continents simultaneously. Take a moment to let that sink in.
From the Australian Alps to the high Andes, from Colorado powder days to fresh flakes in Africa, winter showed up almost everywhere at once this week. It was one of those rare moments that reminds you skiing is not confined to one season or even one hemisphere — somewhere on Earth, snow is always falling.
Australia
Australia’s Snowy Mountains woke up to fresh snow on Wednesday morning, with resorts across New South Wales and Victoria reporting overnight accumulations.
The Australian Alps saw fresh snow at most resorts including Perisher, Thredbo, Falls Creek, Mount Buller, and Mount Baw Baw, with up to 7 centimeters (3 inches) reported in Victoria.
While the snowfall totals were modest, psychologically it was a big moment. Australia’s ski season opens in four weeks, and the first widespread snowfall of autumn always flips the switch for skiers and snowboarders counting down to opening day.
Forecasts are calling for continued cold air and additional light snowfall through the weekend.
North America (Colorado)
Meanwhile in the United States, Colorado got a proper May powder refresh – Mayuary anyone?
A late-season storm cycle dropped more than a foot of fresh snow across parts of the Rockies, with resorts like Breckenridge Ski Resort, Copper Mountain, and Arapahoe Basin picking up significant late-season snowfall.
A-Basin — the last ski resort still operating in Colorado — is now reopening for one final weekend from May 8–10 with discounted lift tickets, spring skiing, and live music.
Classic A-Basin behavior: refusing to let winter die quietly.
Europe (French Alps)
Across Europe, a late spring storm brought fresh snow back to the higher elevations of the French Alps.
The Haute-Savoie region picked up new snowfall above mid-mountain elevations, while glaciers and upper alpine terrain returned to winter conditions. Les 2 Alpes remains open for lift-served skiing, and ski mountaineers around Chamonix continue to find quality May descents in the high alpine.
South America (Andes)
A significant Andes storm running May 6-9 is delivering 10-30cm of snowfall across the region — a pre-season dump that has the Argentine and Chilean ski industry paying close attention ahead of June openings. The Andes are also turning white ahead of schedule.
A significant storm cycle running from May 6–9 is delivering an estimated 10–30 centimeters of snowfall across parts of Chile and Argentina, giving ski areas an encouraging early-season foundation more than a month before most planned openings.
After several lean South American winters in recent years, every early storm gets attention. Resorts across the Andes will now be watching temperatures closely to see how much of this snow survives into June.
Africa (Lesotho)
And then there’s Africa.
Afriski Mountain Resort confirmed fresh snowfall in the Maluti Mountains on Wednesday, sharing images of fresh snow just four weeks ahead of its planned June 6 opening.
That means snow fell in Africa on the same day it fell in Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Africa is officially in.
Only Asia did not make the list – and Antarctica, as always, didn’t need any help to stay pristine white. Did you know it only actually snows very little in Antarctica? The continent is considered a hyper-arid desert and only sees very little snowfall. Despite its immense icy and snowy terrain, Antarctica receives on average less than 8 inches of snowfall a year.
