Winter Ski Season Kicks Off Down Under with More Snow Needed
9th June 2026
Many resorts in Australia opened last weekend but with limited terrain. This weekend it’s the turn of New Zealand to get the 2026 season underway. Hopefully. NEW
It wasn’t the best opening weekend for the ski resorts in Australia that always open on the first weekend in June – the monarch’s official birthday.
Some were only able to open some nursery and beginner slopes, but skiing and snowboarding is underway.
Perisher, Thredbo, Falls Creek, Mt Hotham and Mt Buller all had some slopes open.
We previewed the opening weekend in this earlier article on PlanetSKI:
This was the scene in Perisher in New South Wales as the season started:
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“We’re thrilled to welcome guests back to Perisher and to share the excitement of the opening weekend at Australia’s largest resort,” said the vice president and general manager of Perisher, Nathan Butterworth, as the resort prepared to open.
“After fresh snowfall in the week , strong snowmaking conditions and our teams working tirelessly to prepare the mountain, we’re stoked to have skiing and boarding back in Perisher.”
Here’s Falls Creek:
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Now it is the turn of New Zealand.
Sort of.
In New Zealand resort were due to open this weekend but a lack of natural snow and warm temperatures have led to some delays
Mt Hutt was set to open this Friday, the 12th, followed by a full opening at Coronet Peak on Saturday, the 13th, alongside The Remarkables and Cardrona.
“We will be delaying our opening from this Friday 12th June to a later date as we await for winter to arrive,” said a statement from Mt Hutt.
“We have some colder weather moving in from next week so we should see some natural snowfall and lower temperature to get out snow making cranking.”
Cardrona too has also delayed its start.
“We’re moving opening day to June 20th, a week later,” said a statement from the resort.
“Winter slept in by a couple of weeks this year which meant we didn’t get early snowmaking underway as early as we would have liked.
“The good news?
“The temperatures have dropped the guns are firing, the team is all here and we can’t wait to kick off winter 026 as soon as conditions allow.”
The Remarkables has not yet made a decision on whether to open this weekend as planned.
It is waiting until Thursday to make its announcement.
Fingers crossed.
Here on PlanetSKI we’ll keep you posted.
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