Encouraging snow falls welcome as Australian ski resorts prepare for opening

With Australia’s alpine resorts gearing up for the start of the ski season, cold weather across southern and eastern Australia has brought good snow falls across the region.

With the ski season set to start on 11th June, up to 50cm of snow has fallen over Monday and Tuesday ahead of the first day of winter on Wednesday.

While pre season predictions had suggested uncertain snow falls through winter as a result of the La Niña weather phenomenon, Snowatch forecaster, Pete Taylor “there’s a lot of moisture around the southern hemisphere (and) normally that would mean we’ll get more rainfall (than snow) but there’s been a shift in the high-pressure system moving to the south, which has allowed cold air to come up and hit the mountains.”

Taylor said the amount of snow expected to fall in the coming three weeks was “usual” for this time of year and might mean some slopes open early, noting “it’s looking like a strong start.”

Perisher, Thredbo and Charlotte Pass are all expected to see up to 94cm of snow in the next 15 days, with Falls Creek and Mount Buller in Victoria looking at more than 70cm.

With the last two ski seasons having been badly affected by COVID-19 lockdowns, alpine resort operators are hoping this year will be one of good snowfalls and high visitor numbers.

Looking back on the last two years, Thredbo retailer and editor of the mountainwatch website, Reggae Elliss, told the ABC “people were doing it tough. They were definitely on the brink of whether or not people went out of business.

"Last year we were excited about the season, and then Sydney went into that lockdown at the start of school holidays and occupancy down here in the Snowy Mountains dropped from 100% to 30%."

Looking forward to the season, Rhylla Morgan, Head of PR and Communications for Buller Ski lifts in the Victorian ski fields, commented "the idea that we can think about going skiing, and having a meal with friends and doing fun stuff, just because it's fun, and it's in a beautiful place, is extraordinary and more exciting than the normal for the beginning of a snow season.”

Image: Snowfall at Thredbo today. Credit: Thredbo Resort/Facebook.