Snowy Mountains business owner Douglas Chatten isn’t daunted by reports of a dampened snow season. Photo: Kim Treasure.
At a time when most of the country is enjoying the early arrival of warmer weather, one part of the country is still thinking about wintertime conditions.
As the ski resorts close their doors, Douglas Chatten is satisfied after spending another winter guiding tourists around the mountains.
“We had a tough season last year, and this year’s been, unfortunately, even worse, compounded by the problem of tough financial times and economic climate,” he said.
“Having said that, I was really busy ski guiding. It was a good season for us.
“Last year wasn’t great either, but the last two before that were really good.”
Mr Chatten is the owner and the lead guide of Snowy Mountains Backcountry Tours, a company that takes people on skiing excursions and tours around the region.
“In the last couple of weeks, definitely, the weather has warmed up quite a bit,” he said.
“Things have gotten quiet, but there’s a lot of snow that’s still out here.
“You’ve got to get up a little bit higher to get to it.”
This spike in temperatures resulted in Snowy Mountain resorts winding down and starting to close.
Perisher Ski Resort closed ski-lift operations in Guthega and Smiggin Holes from 1 September, citing the warmer temperatures, as well as wind and rain.
Thredbo Resort decided to close its lifts for skiing and snowboarding access earlier this week, though it confirmed it would be reopening for its summer season on 16 November.
Meanwhile, Selwyn Snow Resort closed its doors at the end of August.
Charlotte Pass Snow Resort will stay open until this Sunday (15 September), giving visitors one more chance to play in the snow.
For those interested in taking to the slopes – or just making snowballs to throw at your mates – Mr Chatten recommends looking beyond the forecast.
“It’s not so much about how much snow has fallen. It’s about what the conditions and the temperatures are,” he said.
“There’s no doomsday headed our way quickly, that’s for sure!”
Powderheads could take heart in the fact there would be snow on the slopes for years to come, Mr Chatten said.
“I’m sure we all agree there’s something going on with the planet, but there’s a long, long time of skiing around,” he said.
“If you love to ski, which Aussies do, there’s plenty of opportunity.
“You never know what’s going to happen, and it’s not unusual for us to get wind and snow through September and October, that’s for sure.”
According to Weatherzone’s Anthony Sharwood in late August, winter in 2023 saw early snowfalls coming before a mostly snowless August, with the 2024 season largely following this trend.
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