Soon in the southern hemisphere

While some people have already put their skis back on, others are getting ready to do that so soon. By the end of August, the whole white circuit will be back on the slopes, whether on the glaciers in Europe or in the ski resorts in the southern hemisphere.

So before everyone packs their bags and heads off to Argentina, Chile or New Zealand to find the winter conditions they're looking for, let's take a look at the current situation.

While natural snow is still being awaited in the southern hemisphere, there's nothing to worry about for the teams who will be crossing the ocean. Departures are not scheduled until mid-August or even early September.

In the Argentinean resort of Cerro Castor in Ushuaia, several teams will be setting up their base camp. These include Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria and Sweden.

Over in Chile, conditions are looking a little more favourable at the moment, with nine slopes already open. The first FIS races of the new season are scheduled for 27 and 28 July in El Colorado.

As the slopes in Chile are very suitable for speed training, it's no surprise that speed skiers are heading there to train.

Norway, Germany, America, Austria and Switzerland will all be there.

Finally, in the country of the Kiwi Ski star Alice Robbison, in New Zealand, the Cardrona and Mt Hutt ski lifts are open, even though the snow quota is not yet very high.

The Norwegian team and the Americans will be there for a month-long training camp starting in the last week of August.