Highs and lows of the ski season

IT’S official, the ski season has begun. But those heading to the slopes may want to pack other sporting equipment to entertain themselves.

SNOWBUNNIES heading to the NSW and Victoria slopes for the official start of the Australian ski season might want to pack other sporting equipment.

While a dusting of snow is likely to cover Thredbo and Perisher in NSW, it won’t be enough to open all ski runs to welcome the official start of the ski season today.

For those desperate for a run Victoria’s Mt Buller is the best option, with the resort opening its Blue Bullet chairlift today “so everyone that been hanging for their snow fix can get first turns in over the weekend”.

“Thanks to the amazing work of our snowmakers and groomers Mt Buller is excited to be the only Victorian resort to run a chairlift this weekend for skiing and boarding, and of course sightseeing,” Laurie Blampied, general manager, Buller Ski Lifts said.

The first chair lift to be operating. Picture: Mt Buller

Snowcams at Thredbo show the mountain looking threadbare with only a smattering of snow dotting the landscape, making the conditions more ideal for mountain biking, hiking or taking a scenic ride on a chairlift.

“There will be no skiing or boarding at this stage until we can get natural snow or we can get an opportunity to make some snow,” Thredbo spokeswoman Susie Diver told AAP.

‘It is looking a lot brighter towards the start of the new week.” Thredbo refused to comment on the recent resort-wide ban on the tobogganing that sparked outrage on social media.

Over in Perisher, the Village Eight Express chairlift will be open for skiers and boarders, who want to have fun on patchy snow.

“The weather is looking a little rough as we head into the weekend,” a Perisher spokesman said.

Yesterday, a light drizzle of rain moved through the NSW Alpine region with strong winds.

Overnight temperatures next week are set to drop to minus 2 and 3 degrees which should help snowmaking efforts and the resorts.

“Tuesday is looking to be the most favourable (for skiing and snow boarding),” said the Perisher spokesman.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria will get light snow falls from Friday night into Saturday.

“Drier conditions on Sunday are potentially better for snowmaking,” Vic BoM spokesman Michael Efron said.