Fabulous Start to Ski Season in Australia with Heavy Snow in New Zealand

6th June 2025

Last modified on June 10th, 2025

Skiing & snowboarding are underway Down Under with large falls of last minute snow for the opening weekend of the season. UPDATED

     

The ski season traditionally starts in Australia on the Sovereign’s official birthday as it is a national holiday weekend.

Sometimes there is snow and sometimes is there is not.

2024: Australian resorts open with little snow

2022: Australian resorts open with heavy snow

So far this year it has been poor in the run up to this weekend, with snow guns mainly providing the covering and many areas were likely to be unable to open.

Then, bang on time, Mother Nature provided.

Big time.

It is being described as a “dream start” to winter.

In New South Wales the main resorts of Perisher and Thredbo are up and running with opening conditions being described as the best in recent years.

“And just like that, we’re ripping in again,” said Perisher.

“We’re having the best time celebrating the beginning of a brand new season.”

So far 60cm has fallen with more coming down.

 

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“The storm has settled in and there’s no sign of stopping,” said Thredbo.

“Winter 2025, it’s SO nice to see you.”

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology was reporting the freezing level in the Australian Alps at 900m.

A cold front has swept across New South Wales with several more fronts expected to follow before a high-pressure ridge settles over NSW later next week.

Here’s Mt Hotham in Victoria where more than 60cm of snow has fallen.

Some people have been rescued from their vehicles after being trapped.

Emergency services have now rescued 19 people who became stranded.

Some had to spend the night in their vehicles.

The travellers were caught on the Blue Rag Range Track near Dargo High Plains Road.

 Wayne Merry from State Emergency Services, SES, sid the weather had made it particularly challenging for some travellers.

“Conditions are challenging and we’ve met people that we helped free that were really struggling with the conditions,” said Mr Merry to ABC Melbourne radio.

“There’s a wide variance in terms of the level of skills that people have when going to the snow.”

Snow is falling at the resort of Mt Buller and is forecast to continue.

“We’re so excited to be welcoming guests for the start of the 2025 snow season,” said the General Manager of Mt Buller and Mt Stirling, Alan Arthur, at the weekend.

“It’s special to have snow falling on Opening Weekend and it is going to make the alpine festivities feel even more special.”

In New Zealand there is also heavy snow and one ski area, Mangani, has already opened.

The first main resort in New Zealand set to open is Mt Hutt – it plans to fire up its lifts this Friday, June 13th.

Last month after a significant snowfall it announced it would open early on May 31st.

However, the weather quickly changed and much of the snow melted.

Here is what it now looks like in Mt Hutt.

The snow is back.

Elsewhere in New Zealand snow is falling and the ski fields are looking forward to opening in the coming weeks.

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