The hills are alive as snow falls

IT'S one of those seasons everyone in the snow industry dreams about good snowfalls, coming exactly when they are needed most.

escape falls creek

IT'S one of those seasons everyone in the snow industry dreams about good snowfalls, coming exactly when they are needed most.

It started with a big dump in time for opening weekend in June and continued with a major snowstorm that struck all of Australia's ski resorts last week, just as the school holidays began.

"It's all good news," Snow Australia chief executive Colin Hackworth says.

"It doesn't always happen, but this year it's all falling into place neatly.

"We opened with great snow, which is always good for June, then this week there's been a major weather event happening in the mountains.

"It will pretty much open all resorts, top to bottom, and set them up with snow for the rest of the season.

"Bookings always respond to snow. The next week or so is going to be really busy in the resorts."

But Australia's good fortune has come at the expense of New Zealand, which has had a lacklustre start to its season, combined with flight cancellations because of ash from the Chilean volcano.

Hackworth is the first to commiserate.

He remembers last year, when there were no major snowfalls until late July in Australia. Local resorts have invested heavily in snowmaking to appease skiers in the absence of natural snow.

"Fingers crossed, this is going to be a 2m season," he says. "Above 2m is always good."

Australia's largest alpine resort, Falls Creek, had more than 70cm of snow in three days last week, taking the base to the 1m mark, with forecasts for snow to continue falling until Tuesday.

"With the substantial subzero temperatures, the snow is soft, dry and fluffy," spokeswoman Debbie Howie says.

"The wind-chill plummeted to minus 18C this week, the perfect scenario for powder conditions.

"The snowmakers are taking advantage of the subzero temperatures, making plenty of snow to add to the increasing natural base."

Eleven of Falls Creek's 15 lifts were operating late last week, with more terrain expected to open as the falls continue.

"This June and July has given us some great snow storms so in comparison to previous years, it's a very good start," Howie says.

"It's magic people are able to ski in and ski out of the village.

"This time last year we were using the shuttle system."

Mt Hotham welcomed 64cm of fresh snow last week and had eight out of 13 lifts operating by the end of the week.

Its signature chairlift, Heavenly Valley, opened on Wednesday and the beginner lift at Dinner Plain opened on Thursday.

"What a transformation," spokeswoman Gina Woodward says.

"Thanks, Mother Nature, for this week."

Mt Buller has recorded 35cm of fresh snow and is expected to open 13 of its 22 lifts this weekend.

"We had fresh snow just at the start of the season and then we needed more before the school holidays and it came right on cue," spokesman Rhyalla Morgan says.

"It's nice to see it falling really beautifully and consistently.

"It's going to be fantastic for our base. It's been a really strong start to the season."

While Mt Baw Baw has had a great start to the season, with six times the usual number of visitors on opening weekend, it has lost a lot of snow because of wind.

But chief executive Leona Turra is hoping to reopen this weekend, with four of its seven lifts expected to operate.

Thredbo was able to open all 13 lifts by the start of last week after receiving more than 60cm of snow at the top in two days.

"About 85 to 90 per cent of the mountain is open, which is very good for this time of the year," spokesman Tom Sproats says.

There were reports of people skiing in powder up to their waist just off the popular Supertrail top-to-bottom run.

Nearby Perisher had 62cm of snow in three days last week, with 44 of its 47 lifts operating by Wednesday and the Interceptor Quad Chair, linking Perisher and Blue Cow, making its season debut.

Charlotte Pass had four of its six lifts operating by the start of last week, with the Kosciuszko Triple Chair expected to make its season debut by this weekend.

Selwyn Snowfields was able to open the entire mountain on Tuesday and is hoping to have its snow tube park open this weekend.

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