Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Regional Expertise:
🇦🇺 Australia (6) • 🇺🇸 USA (15) • 🇯🇵 Japan (5) • 🇪🇺 Europe (10)
Michael Fulton
At 2,037 metres summit elevation, Thredbo offers Australia's highest lift-accessed skiing and the country's most significant vertical drop. But with 2.5 metres average annual snowfall and a four-month season window, expectations need calibrating to southern hemisphere realities.
Michael Fulton
Kronplatz is retiring its long-running K1+2 gondola lift after this winter season, with construction of a brand-new replacement system starting immediately. The new lift has been designed in collaboration with Italian automotive firm Pininfarina, with cabin interiors featuring South Tyrolean loden fabric and a gold and bronze station aesthetic. It's a significant upgrade for one of the Dolomites' most-used mountain connections.
Michael Fulton
Straddling the Tuscan-Emilian border with 44 kilometres of terrain and 652 metres of vertical, Abetone offers something increasingly rare in Italian skiing: genuine terrain variety without Alpine pretensions. The resort's four-valley layout and moderate pricing make it worth considering if you're already in central Italy.
Michael Fulton
Resorts of the Canadian Rockies has announced the installation of four new Leitner Poma lifts across its BC resorts - Fernie Alpine Resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort, and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Construction begins this spring at Kimberley, with Fernie and Kicking Horse following in 2027. The upgrades include two new high-speed detachable quads at Fernie and a second base-to-alpine access lift at Kicking Horse.
Michael Fulton
Grandvalira is considering building its own residential complex to house seasonal workers, as soaring rents across Andorra make staff recruitment and retention increasingly difficult. The project would initially accommodate 200 to 300 employees in modular, sustainable apartments - and the resort says it may fund the whole thing itself. It's a significant move, and one that reflects a growing problem across the global ski industry.
Michael Fulton
Saalbach Hinterglemm is back on the FIS Ski World Cup calendar, with two men's speed races confirmed for February 2027. A downhill and Super-G on the Zwölferkogel will replace a scheduled Courchevel stop, following a late calendar adjustment proposed at the FIS Spring Conference. Less than two years after hosting the 2025 World Ski Championships, Saalbach is back in the racing business.
Michael Fulton
In the 2025/26 season, the four core Alpine nations spent $1.09 billion on new lift infrastructure. North America managed $317 million. That's a 3.4x gap - and it has nothing to do with snow quality or resort size. After building a database of 226 new lift installations across 32 countries and a full financial comparative report, the answer comes down to ownership structures, regulatory constraints, and 150 years of European mountain history that North America simply doesn't have.
Michael Fulton
Coronet Peak and Whakapapa are both planning late-May openings using Snow Factory machines that produce snow regardless of ambient temperature. The technology allows limited terrain access before traditional season starts, though whether sledging operations and beginner carpets constitute actual ski area openings is debatable.
Michael Fulton
A modest cold front will deliver snow to high-altitude European resorts from Monday through Thursday, with the western and southern Alps favoured. Val Thorens and Cervinia could see up to 30cm, while many Austrian resorts miss out entirely. Snow levels fluctuate between 1,800-2,400 metres.
Michael Fulton
Vail Resorts has created tax-free pass options for New Hampshire residents after the state attorney general launched an investigation into sales tax charges in a state with no sales tax. The company now offers New Hampshire-only passes without tax, though its flagship Epic Pass products remain excluded from the arrangement.
Michael Fulton
The former Ortler Skiarena has rebranded as Südtirol Skiarena, expanding from 15 to 18 ski areas across South Tyrol and introducing a 365-day pass. The network now offers nearly 500 kilometres of terrain and positions itself as a locally focused alternative to Dolomiti Superski.
Michael Fulton
Ski California's Gold Pass returns on sale May 1, priced at $4,250 for unlimited, blackout-free access to 36 ski areas across California and Nevada. The pass is transferable - not tied to an individual - making it a legitimate option for families, groups, or corporate hospitality. Passes typically sell out fast.
Michael Fulton
A maintenance basket fell from the upper bowl chairlift at Mt. Hood Skibowl East on 30 April, killing one worker and seriously injuring another. The incident occurred in steep terrain during what appears to have been routine maintenance work. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been notified and is investigating.
Michael Fulton
SWISS and SBB have added Grindelwald to their Air Rail network, allowing international travellers to book a single ticket from their departure city through to the Bernese Alps. The service is available immediately via swiss.com, with a single boarding pass covering the entire journey from flight to train.
Michael Fulton
Brighton pushed its closing date back a week to 10 May after spring storms delivered enough snow to justify extended operations. The Utah resort was among only three still operating following what's been documented as the state's lowest snowpack since 1980.
Michael Fulton
The Alberta resort has logged 389 inches of snow this season, 60% above its annual average, and is one decent storm away from breaking its period of record. Meanwhile, much of the western United States continues to struggle with below-average snowpack.
Michael Fulton
The New Hampshire ski area is spending another $4.5 million this offseason on lift systems, snowmaking infrastructure and trail work. It's the second phase of a $9 million two-year capital program at the county-owned resort, which sits above Lake Winnipesaukee.
Michael Fulton
taly's competition authority is investigating Dolomiti Superski over alleged price fixing across its 12-resort network. The consortium has proposed a €30 million compensation plan covering three seasons - but consumer groups are calling it symbolic, warning that a first-come, first-served portal will leave many eligible skiers empty-handed.
Michael Fulton
Alta closed its lift operations on 26 April following a 13-inch powder day, but uphill access remains open through the off-season. The mountain is now unpatrolled backcountry with no avalanche mitigation or emergency services - and you'll need to bring your own rescue capability.
Michael Fulton
New Zealand's Rainbow Ski Area is scaling back to weekend operations with volunteer support after receiving just 29 cm of natural snow in 2025. The club field recorded a total season loss following unprecedented low snowfall in Nelson Lakes National Park.
May 13, 2026
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May 11, 2026
