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Australia's Snow Drought Breaks as Storm "Buries" the Ski Resorts
Two days ago, webcams across Australia's ski resorts were showing bare, grassy slopes. Now they're buried in white. A cold snap has dumped fresh snow from the Snowies to the Victorian high country overnight, with Thredbo copping 24cm, Perisher 20cm and Hotham reporting a storm total of 30cm. Blizzard conditions, sub-zero temps and howling winds have made for a proper winter morning - and snowmaking crews are making the most of it while the cold sticks around. Here's how each resort fared.
Snowless in July: Australia's Historic Dry Start Gets Trolled by Japan
Australia's 2026 ski season has hit a grim milestone - Spencers Creek read zero centimetres entering July, matching the second-worst start in 72 years of records. A Japanese resort seized the moment, posting webcam shots of brown Aussie slopes to spruik its own snow. El Nino is the likely culprit, but 72 years of data says panic is premature - a storm packing up to 40cm was forecast to hit from Thursday. Here's what's actually going on, and what history says happens next.
Perisher's Mid-Station Is Getting a Staged Redesign Ahead of the 2026 Season
Perisher's Mid-Station is changing. The on-mountain hub at the heart of the Front Valley network is undergoing a staged refurbishment that began this off-season, with the first phase already complete. A new pick-and-mix lolly concept called Sugar & Snow is the first visible addition for 2026, with further upgrades planned through the season and into next summer. The McGuinn family, who ran the venue for 22 years, did not have their lease renewed by Vail Resorts.
The Snow Arrived. Mt Buller Stole the Show. Opening Weekend Is On.
We called the snow event. We didn't call Mt Buller leading the pack with 25cm. Falls Creek is sitting on 15cm and still falling, Hotham at 15cm, Thredbo at 13cm overnight. Snowguns are firing across the board and Opening Weekend is Saturday. The 2026 Australian season is starting in serious shape.
Snow Arrives Just in Time: Australian Alps Forecast Ahead of Kings Birthday Opening Weekend 2026
The 2026 Australian ski season opens on Kings Birthday weekend - 6 to 8 June - and the timing couldn't be better. A natural snowfall event is tracking across the Alps right now, with Perisher forecast to pick up 43.3cm and Thredbo 35.6cm over the next 10 days. Cooler temperatures from the start of June will also get the snow guns running. Not a blockbuster opening - but a genuinely solid one. Here's the full breakdown.
Major Snowfall Forecast for Australian Ski Resorts: What Riders Need to Know
A significant cold front is set to bring substantial snowfall to Australian ski resorts this week, with up to 90cm predicted for some areas. However, varying conditions and potential challenges await skiers and riders.
Perisher's 'Rad Dad Day': Marketing Gimmick or Genuine Family Fun?
Perisher's Father's Day 'Rad Dad' event attempts to blend nostalgia and skiing, but does it offer real value for families or just another excuse to boost lift ticket sales?
Perisher Terrain Park Fatality: U.S. EMT's Tragic End in Australian Alps
A 22-year-old Utah EMT and pre-med student died in a snowboarding accident at Perisher's Front Valley terrain park, highlighting the risks of freestyle skiing and riding even for experienced mountain professionals.
Perisher Reaches Full Operations as Australian Resorts Lead Southern Hemisphere
Australian ski resorts are experiencing their best conditions in years, with Perisher hitting 100% operational capacity. Meanwhile, other Southern Hemisphere destinations face mixed fortunes as the 2025 season progresses.
Perisher Bolsters Mogul Skiing Program: Olympic Preparation or Marketing Ploy?
Perisher and the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia announce increased investment in Blue Cow's mogul facilities. But what does this really mean for elite athletes and everyday skiers?
Perisher to Host 2025 Adaptive Festival for Snow Sports
Snow Australia announces the 2025 Adaptive Festival at Perisher Ski Resort, offering inclusive skiing and snowboarding experiences for people with disabilities.
New Mt Perisher 6 Chairlift Set to Open at Australian Ski Resort
Perisher Ski Resort announces the grand opening of its highly anticipated Mt Perisher 6 Chairlift, marking a significant upgrade to the mountain's infrastructure and enhancing the skiing experience for visitors.
Australian Ski Resorts Open for 2025 Season with Fresh Snowfall
Australia's major ski resorts have officially opened for the 2025 season following a winter storm that delivered fresh snow across the Australian Alps. Falls Creek, Mount Hotham, Perisher, Thredbo, and Mount Buller are all operating with beginner terrain available, whilst forecasts predict over 50 centimetres of additional snow throughout the opening weekend, promising excellent conditions for skiers and riders.
![[PHOTOS] Tasmanian Ski Resort Ben Lomond Kicks Off Australian Ski Season as Others Prepare for Opening Day](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2F4qa68ipr%2Fproduction%2F76638cbd536a761cf6049f79ed14d64b0d1a805d-1920x960.webp%3Frect%3D222%2C0%2C1477%2C960%26w%3D800%26h%3D520&w=3840&q=75)
Ben Lomond Leads Australian Ski Season Opening
Ben Lomond in Tasmania kicks off the Australian ski season, with other major resorts set to open limited terrain for the King's Birthday Long Weekend.
New Mt Perisher 6 Chairlift Test Run Successful
Perisher's new $26 million Mt Perisher 6 chairlift completed its first test run, marking a significant milestone in the resort's infrastructure upgrade ahead of the 2025 ski season.
Perisher's New Mt Perisher 6 Chairlift Showcased in Sydney
Perisher ski resort is promoting its new $26 million Mt Perisher 6 chairlift by transforming a Sydney bus stop into a replica of the lift, offering commuters a chance to win ski passes and a holiday package.
Major Investments Boost Australian Ski Resorts for 2025 Season
Australian ski resorts are gearing up for the 2025 season with significant upgrades, including new chairlifts, enhanced snowmaking capabilities, and innovative terrain features.
Perisher's New Chairlift to Reach Australia's Highest Lift Point
Perisher's upcoming Mt Perisher 6 chairlift will increase capacity by 60% and access Australia's new highest lift-served point at 2,042m, opening up new terrain for skiers and riders.
Warm Winter Forecast Threatens Australian Ski Season...Again
The Bureau of Meteorology predicts one of Australia's warmest winters on record, potentially impacting the upcoming ski season. With temperatures expected to be 1.5°C above average, ski resorts may face challenges in maintaining snow cover.
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More from the SnowStash desk
Spain Moves to Ban Smoking at Ski Resorts Under New Tobacco Law
Spain's government has approved a draft tobacco law that would ban smoking across a wide range of outdoor spaces, including sports venues - a category Spanish winter sports media expect to cover ski resorts, potentially extending to slopes and lifts themselves. The rules would also apply to e-cigarettes and vaping devices, even nicotine-free ones. The bill still has to clear the Spanish parliament before any ban, signage, or fines can take effect.
South Tyrol Approves New 16-Person Ciampinoi Gondola in Val Gardena
South Tyrol has approved a full rebuild of the Ciampinoi cable car in Selva di Val Gardena, replacing the current 12-person gondola with a 16-person cabin and a new mountain-station restaurant. Capacity is capped at 3,200 people an hour rather than the 3,600 the operator wanted, and 250,000 euros must go toward compensatory measures. No construction or opening date has been set, though the upgrade is partly aimed at clearing bottlenecks before the 2031 Alpine Ski World Championships.
Resort Spotlight: Hoshino Tomamu - Corporate Japan's Mountain Playground Revisited
Hoshino Tomamu is the ski resort equivalent of a conference hotel that happens to have excellent powder. Built for corporate retreats and package tourists, it offers genuine Hokkaido snow on surprisingly limited terrain - 29 runs spread across 585 vertical metres.
La Thuile's New Cable Car Replaces Two Ageing Chairlifts
La Thuile is spending 38.7 million US dollars on a new 10-person cable car linking Les Suches to Chaz Dura, replacing the La Combe and Chaz Dura chairlifts after nearly forty years of service. Built by Leitner, the new cable car runs 1,950 metres to a top station at 2,576 metres, carrying up to 3,000 people an hour with a six-minute ride. It also improves the connection to La Rosiere in France via the Petit-Saint-Bernard Pass, and is on track to open for the 2026/27 season.
The Remarkables Adds Scarpa Bowl to Its Inbounds Terrain
The Remarkables is adding new inbounds terrain for winter, bringing the Scarpa Bowl - known locally as the Toilet Bowl - into its lift-accessed network after years as backcountry-only ground. The roughly 500 metre run is reached by bootpacking from the top of the Sugar Bowl chairlift, with a shuttle picking skiers up from the road at the bottom. It's a smaller, faster addition than the resort's planned Doolans expansion, though the new terrain hasn't opened yet due to a lack of snow this season.
Ski Portillo Cut Off After Storm Dumps More Than 4.5 Metres of Snow
Ski Portillo remains isolated after an extended storm buried the Chilean resort under more than 4.5 metres of snow, with both ground and air access suspended since Tuesday while crews monitor avalanche hazards and worsening weather. Resort officials say further snowfall is expected in the coming days and haven't set a timeline for reopening the mountain road. Once access resumes, the scale of the snowpack could set up a strong season at one of the Southern Hemisphere's most historic ski resorts.
Resort Spotlight: Lotte Arai - Japan's Corporate Ski Anomaly With 22 Metres of Annual Snowfall
Lotte Arai receives 22 metres of annual snowfall - exceptional even by Japanese standards - but its corporate ownership model and limited terrain create an unusual cost-benefit equation. Here's what the numbers actually mean on the ground.
Resort Spotlight: Banff Sunshine Village - Nine Metres of Snow and a Season That Runs Until May
Banff Sunshine Village sits at 1,660m base and receives 9.27m of snow annually. Inside Banff National Park, it offers a six-month season and terrain split that skews heavily advanced - though the crowds and lift infrastructure tell their own story.