New for 2025, Snow Season Central is proud to announce the Snow Conditions Index which analyses 16 years of historical snowfall data across 12 of Australia and New Zealand’s most popular ski resorts to help ski enthusiasts determine the best time to plan their trips for the most snowfall.
The index assesses both the historical average number of snow days and the total snowfall (in cm) for each week of the season to rank the best time to visit each resort, increasing the likelihood of good snow conditions.
Key findings
The first week of August at Treble Cone in New Zealand ranked highest on the Snow Conditions Index with a score of 95, followed by the same week at Whakapapa and Tūroa, which scored 69.8 and 66.4, respectively.
Australian Resorts
Across all five Australian resorts featured in the index, August consistently emerged as the best month to ski based on expected snow conditions. Here’s a breakdown of the top three:
- Mt Hotham (VIC) recorded the highest Australian score (57.7) in the third week of August.
- Mount Buller (VIC) came in second with a score of 56.2 and had the highest recorded snowfall of any Australian resort.
- Falls Creek (VIC) followed closely with a score of 55.7.
A Word from Our Managing Director
“When planning a ski trip, there’s a lot to consider—but the weather, especially snow conditions, can truly make or break the experience. In recent years, we’ve seen this impact many southern hemisphere resorts,” said Ed Raine, Managing Director of Snow Season Central.
“While snow is beyond our control, the Snow Conditions Index provides a smarter way to plan around it. Designed for skiers eager to hit the slopes this winter, it offers valuable insights into historical weather patterns and removes the guesswork from trip planning.”
Top 3 Snowiest Weeks by Resort – Australia & New Zealand
The full Snow Conditions Index, including the top three weeks for each resort, is available below. For those unable to travel during the peak week, this list highlights alternative weeks that also show strong historical snow conditions.
Methodology
Data on the average number of snowy days and weekly snowfall was sourced from snow-forecast.com on 3 May 2025, using top-of-mountain stats based on 16 years of data (2007–2024).
A normalised index was created by multiplying the number of snowy days by the average snowfall per week. The resulting scores were then adjusted for presentation purposes.
