Snow falls prompt ski season to start a week early

Alpine regions across the southeast of the country have been blanketed in heavy snowfall on the first day of winter.

Falls Creek local Daisy Pellerini, 21, is all smiles after 37cm of fresh snow fell at the Victorian ski resort this week. Heavy snowfalls are forecast again this weekend. Picture: Chris Hocking

Alpine regions across the southeast of the country have been blanketed in heavy snowfall on the first day of winter, as some of the biggest ski resorts prepare to welcome tourists back to the slopes at the end of this week.

With temperatures plummeting across Victoria and NSW, record levels of snowfall have inundated some of the country’s premium ski resorts, as back-to-back cold fronts move across Mt Kosciuszko, Mt Buller and Mt Wellington this week.

Among the country’s biggest resorts, Perisher will open its runs to visitors this weekend, one week ahead of schedule, while Mt Buller in Victoria is sizing up a similar announcement after 40cm of snow fell in the past 48 hours.

Mt Hotham and Falls Creek are also opening on Saturday, a week earlier than planned.

Perisher general manager Belinda Trembath said the resort was expecting up to 1m of snowfall over the next week, with bookings for the season set to reach a six-year high.

“We’ve been very careful to make sure the level of snowfall we’re seeing will make the early start safe and sustainable,” Ms Trembath told The Australian.

“We’ve seen enormous snowfall and storms in the last two days, and it’s going to increase. An early start to the season seemed it was in the best interests of everyone.”

Thredbo and Charlotte Pass are expected to open next weekend, as both Snowy Mountains resorts recorded up to 90cm of snow in the past two weeks.

Cooper Elwin, 5, enjoys the snow at Oberon, west of Sydney.

Across the state’s central tablelands, including Bathurst, Braidwood and Oberon, residents captured footage of snow-covered streets, as levels are also tipped to rise in the coming days.

Mt Hotham ski director Bill Barker, who recorded 40cm of snowfall on Wednesday afternoon, said forecasts were continuing to exceed expectations, setting the scene for a “long and perfect season” after two-years of pandemic disruptions.

“The reopening of the ski fields is a really big moment for the state,” said Buller Ski Lifts director Rhylla Morgan, adding that Victoria’s ski fields were open for only 40 days last year.

Ms Morgan said record-high weekend bookings meant visitors should have a plan before arriving at the snow fields, encouraging people to consider midweek day trips to Mt Buller.

“In the past people could come to the resort and get a last-minute booking, but this will be very difficult this year. Midweek trips will be the best option.”