With over 50 cm of snow in the forecast for this weekend, Thredbo is confident about opening more terrain as early as next week. Photo: Thredbo.
It was looking touch and go in the Snowy Mountains this past week, but a cold snap with flurries of snow might have saved opening weekend for the region’s powder hounds.
Cold nights have allowed ski resorts to get their snow guns spinning ahead of the long weekend, and with 50 cm of snow forecast, resorts are now eyeing the opening of terrain early.
Thredbo is promoting the installation of new snowmaking facilities that could be invaluable in the coming years as temperatures trend warmer.
Thredbo spokesperson Bronte Crawley says it represents a major advancement.
“Unlike traditional systems, this unit can generate snow in temperatures of up to 20 degrees, allowing us to produce consistent snow coverage throughout the season, regardless of natural conditions,” she says.
“This investment will significantly improve our ability to offer reliable snow and extended access to beginner terrain for our guests.”
Not to be outdone, Perisher is debuting its new chairlift this season along with a million-dollar investment in new snow guns.
The company has been eager to advertise that this season it will host the new highest lifted point in Australia at 2042 metres.
“The teams have been busy in the final preparations for what will be a historic season at Perisher, thanks to the addition of our brand new high-speed, six-seater Mt Perisher 6 chairlift, getting staff and guests to the highest lifted point in Australia in just over 5 minutes,” says Dani Wright, Senior Communications Manager for Vail Australia.
Both resorts are also hosting an opening weekend of events, featuring live music, fireworks, and other activities to welcome holidaymakers to the snow.
The Bureau of Meteorology has also provided welcome news for snow lovers, with temperatures predicted to drop below -5 degrees and a top of 2 degrees over the weekend, ideal for snowmaking.
But it’s not all roses in the lead-up to the weekend. The bureau’s long-range forecast is warning of above-average temperatures in June. Meteorologist Christie Johnson cautions against making predictions early in the season.
“It doesn’t mean if there’s going to be a wet season, it’s gonna be a good snow season and vice versa. It’s very tricky. We don’t produce long-range forecasts for the snow season,” she says.
“A single weather event does tend to have a massive impact, so you can get like a metre of snow in a few days and then that can sort of linger for much of the snow season.”
The snow forecast will be a huge relief for many ski businesses that have been suffering after two short seasons.
Glen Clark, owner of Hotham Traverse, runs ski and snowshoe tours in the backcountry. He says that for many businesses, it’s now make or break.
“We had two years pretty much wiped out due to COVID. We had one good season in 2023 … But then now we’ve had two rotten years, and it’s a rollercoaster to say the least, but the trend is definitely down, so you start to wonder, when you’ve got a business that’s completely reliant on natural snow, is this it?”
“Alpine wilderness here in Australia is unique in that it’s different to anywhere else in the world, and it should be valued more,” said Glenn Clark. Photo: Hotham Traverse
Glenn says he knows that no matter how the 2025 season turns out, science says ski seasons are growing shorter.
Modelling by the ANU last year predicted the snow season could be up to 55 days shorter in just a few decades.
How this will affect resorts over the next few years is impossible to say. Thredbo states that the late-season warmth in May this year was challenging but highlighted the need for technological upgrades at the resort.
“Challenges posed by fluctuating temperatures continue to reinforce the importance of our investment in advanced snowmaking technology, including the upcoming All-Weather Snowmaking Unit, which will enable us to deliver a more consistent product,” Bronte Crawley says.
Perisher didn’t respond to specific questions about late-season warmth. However, in investor documents, Vail, the parent company of Perisher, has acknowledged challenging conditions in Australia.
Original Article published by Nicholas Ward on Region Canberra.
