More Aussie Areas Opening Slopes After Fresh Snowfall
At least two more Australian ski areas are set to open their slopes in the next few days following greater-than-forecasting-models-predicated snowfalls and low temperatures for snowmaking this week.
The Australian ski season officially began last Saturday 10th of June, but due to mild temperatures, most ski areas opened without any actual slopes open. The exceptions that did offer limited terrain from day one, included Mt Buller, Mt Baw Baw and the country’s largest resort, Perisher. It has already opened more terrain accessed by its 8 seater chairlift thanks to the fresh snowfall (It mid-station pictured top).
Now Mt Hotham and Falls Creek (pictured below on Thursday) have confirmed they’re opening slopes from Friday.
“With 36cm of fresh snow falling this week, we’re super excited to have Halley’s Comet Quad Chair, Towers Quad Chair and Mouse Trap Carpet running from Friday, giving skiers and boarders access to Main Street, Highway 83, Lower Nastar and Mouse Trap runs so you can make the most of these conditions! Keep an eye on that forecast, as we have up to 45cm due to hit from Sunday and we will continue to assess conditions to get as much terrain open as soon as possible,” a Falls Creek spokesperson said.
At Hotham The Summit Quad and Summit trainer will open from 1pm on Friday 16 June and with more snow in the forecast, the resort expects more terrain to open shortly.
“With significant snow falling over the past week, the team has been hard at work preparing the mountain ready to spin lifts” said Len Dobell, Operations Manager at Hotham, who added, “We had 27cm of snow fall on Tuesday and through the night to bring our base up to around 33cm.”
Selwyn Resort, re-opening for the first time since the old buildings and lifts were destroyed in a bush fire in early 2020 says it will offer “snow play” this weekend but not skiing or boarding. Thredbo has also decided not to open its slopes yet.
“We’ve had promising snow and snowmaking this week and our team is working hard to get the mountain ready. However, unfortunately due to current conditions, we won’t be opening for skiing and snowboarding this weekend. The good news?! This week we’ve had 25cm of snow, snow guns firing & there is really promising snowfall in the forecast this Sunday! Fingers, toes… Every body part is crossed!” a Thredbo spokesperson said.
