Australia’s major ski resorts are all opening for business this weekend after a snow storm has dumped close to half a metre already with more on the way.
Last weekend’s ‘official’ ski season opening had the chairlifts, at Mt Buller for a rather patchy Bourke Street and Perisher for a similar Front Valley experience, open with Hotham, Falls Creek and Thredbo choosing to keep theirs switched to off for skiing.
Not this weekend, though. With up to 35 centimetres fallen already (depending on resort) and another 30 to 60 centimetres on the way in Victoria and New South Wales, the lifts will be turning for the first ski time this season at Falls Creek, Hotham and Thredbo and still turning at Perisher (8 lifts open) and Mt Buller.
Though be warned, winds are going to be strong so check in with resort websites for potential wind hold on some lifts. Take your rock hoppers as it’s early days and while the storm has been forceful and brought snow and snow making conditions, it is only June.
At Mt Buller the Mercedes-Benz six-seater chairlift is turning for the first time for the season and the Skyline and The Fox lifts are also being prepared for opening, as soon as conditions permit. The fresh snowfall has covered the snowplay parks and the Village toboggan slope which is now open for snowplay.
Summit Quad, Summit Trainer, and Big D will also be spinning at Hotham from 8.30am on Saturday. Halley’s Comet chairlift, Towers chairlift and Mouse Trap carpet will be all turning tomorrow at Falls Creek and Thredbo will even be opening Cruiser.
Plus Australia’s longest green run Wombats Ramble will be open for fresh tracks tomorrow.
With images like these in the gallery below doing the rounds, it may even be time to wax your powder skis.
Look out, the Australian ski season has well and truly started.
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