Poor Start to Winter in Australia but New Zealand Set to Improve
28th June 2026
Resorts in Australia and New Zealand have had to delay their openings with little natural snow and warm temperatures. Some resorts have small amounts of slopes open. NEW
Average June snowfall is usually around 35cms but it has been well below that level, with Mount Hotham in Victoria seeing no snow at all.
Across Australia’s ski fields, just two chairlifts are open – ‘Easy Does It’ in Thredbo and ‘Bourke Street Express’ in Mount Buller.
That is due to all-weather snowmaking units that can produce man-made snow in temperatures as high as 20 degrees.
Perisher has one small slope open.
Falls Creek remains closed.
“Our snowmaking team will be making snow at every opportunity, and we’ll be keeping a close eye on conditions to open for skiing and boarding as soon as we are able to,” said the Brand + Experience Manager for Falls Creek, Betony Pitcher.
Mountainwatch says June 2026 in Australia will go down as one of the worst starts to a ski season.
In New Zealand things are set to improve with some snow in the forecast.
There have also been colder temperatures that have allowed the snow guns to operate
On Friday 26th June Cardrona opened for the season.
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Elsewhere Mt Hutt has also got its season underway
More to follow…
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