Australia’s ski resorts celebrate first snowfall for 2024

It is two months out from Australia’s ski season and our biggest resorts are celebrating the first snowfall for the year.

Australia’s biggest ski resorts are celebrating their first snowfall for the year.

Thredbo in NSW’s Snowy Mountains told news.com.au the resort recorded 10cm “up top” since midnight and it was snowing “all the way down to the village” until about lunchtime.

The team said while it was not unusual for snowfalls to start this time of year, any snow is a good sign for the ski season ahead, which kicks off on June 8.

Thredbo said it was snowing all the way down to the village until lunchtime. Picture: Thredbo

Pictures showed a snow covered chairlift, tables, trees, ski trail signs, and even the new Alpine Coaster, which launches this winter season.

It is 1.5km in length and passengers can control their speed up to 40km/h as they travel along a mix of uphill and downhill tracks featuring a tunnel, bridges and circles.

On Facebook, Thredbo declared ️“winter mode has been well and truly activated”.

Thredbo’s new Alpine Coaster will launch this winter. Picture: Thredbo

Perisher, the country’s largest ski resort, shared a picture of its snow stake, also showing about 10cm of snowfall.

“Not at all bad for an April dusting!” the resort captioned the photo. ️

Perisher is also planning to welcome back skiers and snowboarders in two months and general manager Nathan Butterworth said Tuesday’s snow was the first taste of what is to come.

“At Perisher we’re lucky to have the space and opportunity for guests to have big moments in the mountains, but it’s also the little moments, like seeing the snow start to fall for the first time that are just as awesome,” he said.

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome guests back to Perisher Ski Resort very soon.”

Perisher’s snow stake showed about 10cm of snow. Picture: Perisher

Perisher has confirmed it is bringing back its PEAK Snow Days initiative, which was introduced last year to warn visitors about its busiest days.

It said operational transparency was a focus and it would also offer alternative on-mountain suggestions during times of longer lift lines.

Mount Hotham in Victoria recorded about 3cm to 4cm of snow. Picture: Hotham

Victorian ski resorts also recorded their first snowfall for the year overnight.

Hotham recorded 3-4cm of snow and Falls Creek had 2cm, the resorts said.

Those resorts are both owned by Vail Resorts, which also owns Perisher.

The resorts are scheduled to open in two months time. Picture: Hotham

Richard Phillips, general manager at Falls Creek Ski Lifts, said it was “fantastic” to see snow falling, if only a light dusting.

“With only 9 weeks till our opening day and less until we start making snow ahead of winter it’s great to see the temperatures dropping and snow falling,” he said.

“The village is looking beautiful with a dusting of snow and ready to welcome guests back to the resort on 8 June.”