Some Australian Ski Resorts Close Early
25th August 2026
Last modified on August 29th, 2026
It has been a generally poor season for the Australian ski resorts, but most are still open. Terrain has been limited but some still hope to remain open until early October. UPDATED
Things got off to a slow start in June and the season has seen warm temperatures and rain.
We reported on conditions earlier on PlanetSKI:
Mount Baw Baw closed on Monday 24th August – some lifts have remained open, but skiing and snowboarding have come to an end.
Selwyn closed on Friday, 21st August.
“Following Thursday’s rain and the impact on our remaining snow cover, our Mountain Team worked tirelessly to give us every possible chance of reopening,” Selwyn posted on social media ahead of its closure.
Some of larger resorts in Australia are continuing to offer some skiing with snow making taking place when possible and careful maintenance of the slopes to preserve the snow.
Here’s Perisher in New South Wales:
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There is no significant snowfall forecast with a high pressure system keeping the weahter settled.
The season in Australia is scheduled to come to an end for most resorts on the weekend of October 4th/5th if conditions allow.
The value of one of Australia’s largest ski resorts, Thredbo, has gone down by nearly $150m (£80m) amid concerns about the future of snowsports in Australia.
Hotel and entertainment corporation EVT’s annual results showed the independent valuation of Thredbo Alpine Resort in the NSW Snowy Mountains has dropped from $292m (£155m)to $143m.(£75m)
The report attributed the sharp decline to recent trading conditions during an “unseasonably warm” winter start this June, as well as the upcoming capital investment needed for new chairlifts and snowmaking infrastructure.
The drop comes despite revenue from the resort being up 10% on the back of a solid 2025 snow season, with $50m (£26m)made on lift tickets.
EVT has owned the head lease of Thredbo resort, including the village, for nearly 40 years.
The lease from the NSW government runs until 2057.
It has been a different story in New Zealand where there have been some decent conditions lately.
Cardrona has 45kms of slopes open and a depth of 55cm at the top of the ski area.
Mt Hutt has the deepest snowpack in New Zealand with 1.8m at the top.
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The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council has warned of high avalanche danger across the Southern Alps.
The Council says naturally triggered avalanches are likely and human-triggered avalanches are very likely across the Arthur’s Pass, Aoraki /Mt Cook, Ohau, Queenstown, Wanaka, and Aspiring region.
Elsewhere in the southern hemisphere resorts in South America have seen huge amounts of snow.
Corralco in Chile has the world’s deepest base of with 3.19m at the top of the resort.
Ski Portillo in Chile, has announced it is extending its season and has seen 8m of snow so far this winter.
The access road is now open in both directions giving full access for all skiers and snowboarders.
It had previously only been open to those with a confirmed hotel reservation.
“Access to Ski Portillo and the border crossing will be open to all vehicles — hotel guests, skiers and day visitors alike,” said the resort.
“The snow is incredible.”
In Argentina, Las Leñas claims a base of 3m.
Cerro Catedral has a base of 70cm with 70% of the ski area open.
Cerro Catedral, Argentina. Image © PlanetSKI
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