For those accustomed to Northern Hemisphere winters, skiing in the Southern Hemisphere can be… disappointing. That’s not to say there aren’t incredible turns to be found, but the snow is generally less consistent and of varying quality. Resorts tend to be smaller, usually with only a handful of lifts, and typically require some drive to reach the mountain. As resorts don’t have huge snowfall averages to draw tourists in, Southern Hemisphere terrain parks tend to punch well above their weight — and several rank among the best on the planet.
This means that even a small, inconspicuous resort might have a terrain park of world-class caliber. So if you’re a park rat, the southern hemisphere can be a treasure trove of hidden jibs and innovative features. Plus, you’ll likely find yourself rubbing shoulders with the pros, as many freestyle skiers and snowboarders from all over the world head down south to train all year long.
Australia’s Terrain Parks
Thredbo
In the Snowy Mountains of southeastern Australia lies Thredbo, a well-known resort that lately has been catching everyone’s attention as one of the top spots for park riding. Hosting numerous events, including the Transfer Banked Slalom, Thredbo’s own Snow Series, and park and slopestyle events. The park’s crew has already shown they can step up to the plate and deliver highly inventive events that push the progression of terrain parks. In recent years, Thredbo has put in a halfpipe, but it is not always featured.
There are many things to love about Thredbo: the advanced-level park, Antons, is a relatively long lap considering how short the runs usually are in Australia with plenty of hits and big jumps to keep your adrenaline firing. The Cruiser Park (beginner-medium level) is always full of progression features, plus it’s accessed by a short T-bar, so you can hot lap all day long.
Number of parks: 3
Notable features: World-class events, T-bar-accessible parks for quick laps
Downside: Antons Park is on an exposed slope, which means the wind can be a real issue (not something you want when dropping into their 50-foot+ jumps)
Who to spot: Scotty James, Valentino Guseli
Perisher
Perisher is the OG of Australia’s terrain parks. Some people think it’s starting to be pushed out of the limelight by the rising star that is Thredbo, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that Perisher was probably the first to put Australia on the terrain park map. It’s still the number 1 spot for many pro skiers and riders heading to the Southern Hemisphere, and for good reason. It has five different parks with massive booters, demanding rails, and innovative features. There are beginner zones, too, and there’s plenty for everyone, as it’s one of the Southern Hemisphere’s larger resorts with 47 lifts. In the past, Perisher has also put in halfpipes but it is not a regular feature.
Number of parks: 5
Notable features: Massive pro-line in Front Valley with easy-access T-bar
Downside: No walkable village
Who to spot: Valentino Guseli, U.S. Freestyle Snowboard Team
New Zealand’s Terrain Parks
Cardrona
This is probably the most famous terrain park in the Southern Hemisphere. In Wanaka, Cardrona has the Southern Hemisphere’s only Olympic-standard halfpipe and hosts various FIS World Cup-level events. It’s not just for the big guns, though — there’s a dedicated beginner zone with many small features to get you going. Follow Cardrona Parks on Instagram for most recent information.
Number of parks: 5
Notable features: 5 progressive parks, 2 pipes (including the only full-size Superpipe and World Cup slopestyle course in Australasia), and 1 Big Air jump
Downside: All parks are accessed by the same lift and a new T-bar, which is great if you’re catching laps with people of different abilities, but it can make the chairlift queue a little busier than you might like
Who to spot: Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, Nico Porteous, Carlos Garcia Knight
The Remarkables
This family-friendly resort near Queenstown has a surprisingly large and varied park. In addition to the usual beginner/intermediate/advanced parks, it has a designated hike park to maximize skill development. It also has the only Burton Stash park in the Southern Hemisphere. This natural terrain park was designed by Jake Burton and Craig Kelly and constructed from materials in the surrounding area. And if that wasn’t enough, The Remarkables also has world-famous freeride zones and hosts The North Face Frontier, a Freeride World Tour qualifier event, every year.
Number of parks: 7
Notable features: Burton Stash Park, hike park, Burton Ringlet Park (for mini-shredders)
Downside: There’s no on-mountain accommodation, and the drive up the windy mountain road might get your adrenaline peaking before you even put your boots on
Who to spot: Nick Hyne, Blake Marshall
Mount Hutt
Hidden near Methven, Mount Hutt provides top-to-bottom park laps with fantastic scenery. It has three progressive park zones — a beginner area, a novice/intermediate park, and an advanced-level park — plus a modern “creativity zone” with skate-style features that have started to crop up in progressive terrain parks worldwide. In recent years, Mt Hutt has had a decent snowfall, and there are 365 hectares of skiable terrain to enjoy alongside the top-class park. All this has contributed to Mount Hutt winning New Zealand’s Best Ski Resort at the World Ski Awards for ten consecutive years from 2015 to 2024 — a record-breaking run that cements its status as the country’s most celebrated mountain. Cardrona claimed the title in 2025, snapping that streak, but a decade of dominance speaks for itself.
Number of parks: 3
Notable features: “Creativity zone” with skate-style features
Downside: Wind can be a problem
