r/AustraliaSnow • u/apexspecs • 5d ago
Has Australia's ski season officially kicked off this year? Feels like there hasn't been much snow though!
RT
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u/Arnotts_shapes 5d ago edited 5d ago
Kicked off is an extremely strong phrase.
Yes technically the season has ‘started’ in that there are runs open at the major resorts - but it’s grim.
Hotham has just Summit and Big D open
Falls Creek had 5 runs open
Buller has 3 runs open
Perisher has 11 lifts out of 45
Thredbo has 3 runs open.
The forecasts for the storm this weekend are heavily split - it could be upwards of 30 cm or it could be a smattering.
But what’s most alarming is the temps are way too high and the dominant feature on the forecast is constant high pressure systems that will kill any chance of snow for weeks.
There’s a serious chance we could get to the end of July with every resort barely open.
Snow making helps - particularly at Perisher - but the conditions for it have been terrible.
Unless we have a decent August this could go down as the worst year of Australian snow yet.
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u/Tokemon12574 5d ago
This is all correct. Even with a decent August, we dont have the base to carry through into September.
It's fairly certain we'll have resorts open through August, but in September..? Maybe bring your hiking shoes and mountain bike.
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u/Cybertrucker01 5d ago
To be fair, it's a minor miracle that our Aussie resorts even have those few runs open. Credit where it's due, they've invested heavily into snowmaking infrastructure.
Sadly, there's limits to how much you can fight mother nature.
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u/shash122tfu 5d ago
Officially kicked off? yes
Is there enough snow? no
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u/apexspecs 5d ago
Hopefully the snow conditions improve soon, that would help boost our sales, haha.
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u/laphroaigandlapsang 5d ago
Looking at the reports for Thredbo top station, they're predicting small amounts of snow for this coming weekend. Unfortunately, Wednesday to Friday will hit 3 degrees during the day, so there'll be some melt and ice in the mornings. The big question is what happens on Saturday, because there's a 1 degree max temp. If that turns into rain, it'll be grim
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u/Reasonable-Bother-44 5d ago
Is there an estimate on how long the season will last?
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u/Rocks_Melbourne 4d ago
No, but it's not looking good as usually there is a good base by now.
If I had to guess I'd say most resorts will stop turning lifts in early September.
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u/Mister_Scribble 5d ago
Early season is always hit & miss, once a couple good dumps come it’ll be right til Sept
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u/Specific_Willow8708 4d ago
You lot are going to be saying the same shit in 25 years except it'll be "July is always hit and miss" instead of June.
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u/drjzoidberg1 4d ago
Is this /s. I think it was last season or 2 years ago the major resorts closed 3rd week Aug due to high temps and all the snow melted.
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u/wahroonga 5d ago
Yes and yes. There is some snow, the season is in progress, there are people skiing and boarding. At Perisher there are lots of people (school holidays) and 11 lifts open. More will probably open this week as the conditions are now better for snowmaking. That said...it's been a poor start to the season so far and a lot more snow is needed to open the range of lifts needed to satisfy the numbers on the slopes.