Skiing the Southern Hemisphere: The Ultimate Guide to Argentina, Chile, Australia & New Zealand with Barney Caddick

Barney Caddick and map

When most skiers in North America and Europe are putting bikes on their cars, firing up grills, and settling into summer, a small group of dedicated powder hunters are doing something very different:

They’re chasing winter.

And according to veteran international ski guide Barney Caddick, that pursuit can lead to some of the most rewarding skiing experiences on earth.

In a recent episode of the Where to Ski podcast, host John Morgan sat down with Barney—senior guide and owner of Ski Like a Pro in St. Anton, Austria—to explore the realities of skiing in the Southern Hemisphere.

With 38 seasons of teaching and guiding experience across four continents, Barney has skied everywhere from the Austrian Alps to the heights of Chile, the massive terrain of Argentina, and the rugged mountains of New Zealand.

The conversation revealed something many skiers overlook: Southern Hemisphere skiing is not simply “summer skiing.” It’s its own culture, its own adventure, and in many ways, a completely different approach to mountain life.

Why Skiers Travel South for Winter

For serious skiers, the appeal is obvious:you can ski year-round.

But Barney says Southern Hemisphere skiing offers far more than just a way to extend the season.

“It doesn’t quite have the infrastructure of Europe or North America,” he explained, “but everything has its own personality.”

That personality is what keeps experienced skiers coming back.

The Southern Hemisphere combines:

• Massive Andean terrain

• Heli-skiing

• Smaller crowds

• Distinct culture

• Incredible food and wine

• And a sense of adventure

It can be less polished than Aspen or the Alps. But for many skiers, that’s exactly the point.

Argentina: The Best Bang for Your Buck in Skiing?

If Barney had one clear recommendation, it was this: Argentina currently delivers some of the best ski value in the world. “In the modern day, you can’t go past Argentina with a weak peso,” he said.

For travelers, that means:

• Affordable lift tickets

• Incredible food

• High-end wine

• Huge terrain

• Relatively inexpensive travel once you arrive

And unlike some destinations, Argentina doesn’t sacrifice atmosphere or culture.

“The steaks are world class,” Barney explained. “And they dress very well. There’s style and flair.”

That combination of skiing, nightlife, food, and mountain culture makes Argentina one of the most compelling ski destinations anywhere.

Bariloche: South America’s Ski Town

Among Barney’s favorite destinations is Bariloche, often considered the ski capital of Argentina. Unlike isolated ski lodges, Bariloche offers a full city experience combined with access to major skiing.

“It’s a huge party town for Argentinians,” Barney explained.

The nearby ski resort atmosphere feels somewhat similar to the relationship between Salt Lake City and Park City:a lively urban center supporting mountain adventure.

That means: Restaurants, Nightlife, Wine bars, Live music, Shopping and Cultural activities remain available even during storms or bad weather.

Las Leñas: Legendary Powder and Big-Mountain Terrain

If Bariloche offers culture and nightlife, Las Leñas offers something entirely different:

Raw big-mountain skiing.

Barney described Las Leñas as potentially having “the best powder skiing in the Southern Hemisphere.”  Located high in the Andes near Mendoza, Las Leñas has developed an almost mythical reputation among advanced skiers and freeriders.

The terrain is: Steep, High altitude, Above treeline, Vast and exposed.

On a powder day, it can rival some of the best skiing anywhere in the world.

But Las Leñas also comes with challenges.

Because the resort sits above treeline, visibility during storms can become extremely difficult.

“If you have a whiteout, you can’t see anything,” Barney explained. “There’s no trees. There’s nothing to give you perspective.”

Ski Portillo: One of the World’s Most Unique Ski Experiences

No conversation about skiing in Chile is complete without Ski Portillo.

Perched high in the Andes near the Argentine border, Portillo has become one of skiing’s most iconic destinations. We discussed the famous Roca Jack lift—a slingshot-style platter lift unlike almost anything else in the ski world.

“They put six people on a platter and pull the trigger.”

The lift experience perfectly represents Portillo’s personality:a little old-school, a little wild, and completely unforgettable. What makes Portillo special is that it feels less like a ski resort and more like a cruise ship. There’s one primary hotel.Everyone eats together.Many skis together. And because there’s no surrounding town, the entire experience becomes intensely immersive. “It has amazing atmosphere,” Barney explained.

Portillo has long attracted elite skiers, ski racers, and travelers looking for something different from the traditional North American resort experience.

Australia: Underrated Skiing With Serious Challenges

Australia surprises many skiers because, yes, it absolutely has legitimate skiing.

“There are five excellent ski resorts,” Barney said, “which on their day are as good as skiing in North America and Europe.”

But Australia also presents unique weather challenges.

The country’s mountains are relatively low elevation and close to the ocean, creating:

• Frequent fog

• Wet snow

• Rapid weather changes

• Strong winds

• Freeze-thaw cycles

“You can get four seasons in one day,” Barney explained.

That might mean:

• Fresh powder in the morning

• Sunshine midday

• Wind in the afternoon

• Rain by evening

Australian skiing has developed a reputation for excellent mogul skiing because the wetter snow naturally creates bump conditions. “Australia kills it with the bumps,” Barney said. The mountain culture is also distinctly Australian:laid-back, social, and highly focused on nightlife and après skiing.

Climate Change Is Reshaping Southern Hemisphere Skiing

One of the most important parts of the conversation focused on climate change and snow reliability. Barney described how warming temperatures are significantly affecting ski seasons, especially in Australia. “The freezing point has risen three or four hundred meters higher than what it used to be. ”That means resorts increasingly rely on their Snowmaking, Grooming, Snow preservation,and Carefully managed terrain

In some years, Australian resorts struggle to maintain natural snow outside snowmaking zones.

Meanwhile, South America’s conditions can vary dramatically from region to region.

One year Patagonia gets buried.Another year the central Andes dominate.

“It’s good to look before you book,” Barney advised. Southern Hemisphere skiing requires flexibility.

New Zealand: Race Training and Big-Mountain Adventure

For ski racers and advanced technical skiers, New Zealand remains one of the Southern Hemisphere’s premier destinations.

Places like Wanaka regularly host elite race teams from around the world.

“The US team, the Austrians—they’re all heading to Wanaka,” Barney explained.

The South Island also offers:

• Heli-skiing

• Glacier terrain

• Ski touring

• Stunning alpine scenery

Unlike many ski resorts in Europe or North America, however, New Zealand skiing often involves commuting from town to mountain each day.

The Food, Wine, and Culture Matter Too

One of the strongest themes throughout the episode was that Southern Hemisphere ski travel isn’t just about skiing.

It’s about lifestyle.

Argentina offers:

• World-famous beef

• Exceptional wine

• Vibrant nightlife

Chile delivers:

• Incredible seafood

• Renowned wine regions

• Volcano landscapes

• Hot springs

Australia brings:

• Pub culture

• Music scenes

• Après ski energy

And New Zealand combines skiing with some of the world’s most dramatic landscapes.

These destinations reward travelers who embrace the full experience rather than simply chasing vertical.

Barney Caddick’s Ski Philosophy: Ski Your Age

Toward the end of the episode, the conversation shifted toward longevity in skiing. After decades teaching and guiding around the world, Barney has developed a refreshingly grounded philosophy.

“I think you want to ski your age.”

Rather than chasing ego or trying to prove something on the mountain, Barney believes skiing should evolve with you over time. “My parents are both 80 and I tell them, ski your age.” That doesn’t mean skiing less passionately. It means skiing smarter.  Skiing sustainably.And preserving the joy of the sport for life. “It’s about that one good day,” he said. “That one good run.”

Why Southern Hemisphere Skiing Is Worth the Journey

Skiing in the Southern Hemisphere takes commitment.

Flights are long. Weather can be unpredictable. Infrastructure may not match Europe or North America. But what you get in return is something increasingly difficult to find in modern skiing:

Adventure and great skiing.

Southern Hemisphere skiing reminds people why they fell in love with skiing in the first place. It feels real, a bit wild and deeply connected to the mountains.