Australian Resorts Open Early as Heavy Snow Falls
31st May 2022
Last modified on June 6th, 2022
Perisher in New South Wales has fired up its lifts, plus Falls Creek, Mount Hotham, and Mount Buller in Victoria. It bodes well for the ski season that sees the borders open to international travellers for the first time since the pandemic. UPDATED
The resort of Perisher in New South Wales has seen 30cm of fresh snow with another 20cm predicted.
It fired up some lifts on Saturday 4th June.
“Conditions this week were too good to pass up,” said Perisher general manager, Belinda Trembath, as the resort opened.
Neighbouring Thredbo has seen similar amounts, but so far is sticking to its original opening date.
“The mountain is shaping up for 11th of June,” the resort said on Facebook.
In the state of Victoria the resort of Falls Creek also opened on Saturday 4th February.
Day 1 of #Winter2022 at #FallsCreek ☃️ #snowday #melbweather #snowing pic.twitter.com/EvjOteOpjf
— Falls Creek Official (@fallsaustralia) May 31, 2022
The next storm is coming and the forecasters predict it will mean there has been up to 1m of snow by the end of this week making it the best start to winter for over 50 years.
Mt Buller and Mt Hotham in Victoria have followed suit.
The word is out — we’re opening this weekend! 💥
35cm fresh snow, still falling, and TONS more on the way. Welcome back skiers and boarders! Want to know all the details? 🔗 https://t.co/62nYRxZl15 for latest news & snowcams 👀 pic.twitter.com/YauzN6Y32L
— Mt Buller (@mtbuller) June 1, 2022
Forecasters predict another snowstorm coming on June 11th for the official opening weekend of many resorts.
Perisher, Thredbo and Charlotte Pass in New South Wales are expecting to receive up to 1m of snow in the next 10 days.
Falls Creek and Mount Buller in Victoria are looking at around 70cm.
Mt Buller has already received 20m of fresh snow with the freezing level down to 600m in the area.
The cold temperatures have allowed the snow cannons to be fired up.
Rhylla Morgan from Mt Buller says the snow is just “piling up” on the Victorian ski fields as the nation shivers through the first day of winter.
“It started on Monday afternoon and it really hasn’t stopped,” she told Sky News Australia last week.
“The whole place is just transformed.”
Since April 18th international travellers have not had to produce a negative pre-departure Covid-19 test to enter Australia.
All incoming and outgoing international travellers may be requested to provide proof they’ve had two doses of an approved vaccine.
The pandemic hit the Australian ski industry hard as we have reported:
- Ski resorts in Australia close as pandemic spreads
- Mixed picture for Australian ski resorts
- Mt Buller closes bringing early end to ski season
Here on PlanetSKI we’ll keep you posted on how things develop Down Under as the snow continues to fall and resorts open.
Image c/o PlanetSKI
