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Latest in Victoria
Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.
Michael Fulton
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.
Michael Fulton
Mt Baw Baw Becomes First Australian Resort to Close for 2026
Mt Baw Baw is calling time on its 2026 season this Sunday at 5pm, becoming the first Australian resort to close for the year after warm spells and rain wore through its snowpack. Lifts stop, but the resort stays open, entry fees get waived, and there's one last Bollywood Weekend before the lights go out. Fifty-seven days after opening, here's how the season ended and what it means for the rest of Australia's struggling snowpack.
Michael Fulton
Falls Creek Adds Major International Sculpture to Its Mountain Art Collection
Falls Creek has a new landmark this winter. The Flower of the Alpine Sun - a golden orb sculpture by Italian urban artist Gio Veronesi - now stands over ten metres tall near Cloud 9 cafe, sitting above 1,600 metres elevation and ranking among the highest altitude public artworks in Australia. Five years in the making and funded by the Victorian Government, it doubles as a viewing platform into the Alpine National Park and anchors a growing art programme at the resort.
Michael Fulton
Mt Buller Renames Run After Olympic Champion Jakara Anthony
Mt Buller has renamed its Chamois run to the Jakara Anthony Mogul Course, honouring the local Olympic champion. While a nice gesture, the move raises questions about the commercialisation of athletes' success.
Michael Fulton
Mt Hotham's Best Intermediate Runs: Complete Guide to Victoria's Premier Slopes
Mt Hotham offers Australia's finest intermediate terrain, with runs like Bushwacker and the Milky Way combination providing the perfect balance of challenge and reward. This comprehensive guide ranks the top 5 intermediate runs that make Hotham superior to other Victorian resorts for progressing riders.
Michael Fulton
Mt Baw Baw First Visit Review: A Beginner-Friendly Victorian Ski Resort
After nine years of skiing Victorian resorts, I finally made the trip to Mt Baw Baw - Victoria's closest ski resort to Melbourne at just 2.5 hours drive. With $89 lift tickets and terrain designed specifically for beginners, this small resort fills a particular niche in the Victorian Alps. Here's what you need to know about Mt Baw Baw before planning your visit, including the reality of what this local hill offers versus the larger alpine resorts.
Michael Fulton
The Definitive Guide to Mt Hotham's Top 5 Intermediate Runs
Discover the five best intermediate runs at Mt Hotham that offer challenging terrain, alpine views, and the perfect progression for blue-level skiers and snowboarders. From the popular Sun Run to the remote Bushwacker, this comprehensive guide reveals why Hotham leads Australia for intermediate terrain.
Michael Fulton
Mt Buller Grapples with 21cm Snowfall and 140km/h Winds
A significant winter storm has blanketed Mt Buller with 21cm of fresh snow, accompanied by extreme winds reaching 140km/h. While promising improved skiing conditions, the weather has also caused operational challenges and safety concerns.
Michael Fulton
Falls Creek Summit Chair Opens After 45cm Fresh Snow Hits Victorian Alps
Falls Creek has received 45cm of fresh snow this week, with the Summit chair now operational and 13 of 15 lifts running. The storm hits perfectly during July school holidays, opening access to the Maze's advanced terrain and setting the resort up for a strong remainder of the season.
Michael Fulton
Falls Creek Opens Ruined Castle and Scotts Chairlifts, Expands Open Terrain
Falls Creek ski resort kicks off the weekend by opening Ruined Castle and Scott Chairlifts, bringing the total to 9 operational lifts. With favourable weather conditions and ongoing snowmaking efforts, the resort is set for an promising season.
Michael Fulton
Mount Baw Baw Kicks Off 2025 Ski Season This Weekend
Mount Baw Baw in Victoria, Australia, is set to open its slopes for the 2025 ski season on Saturday, June 14. The resort has made changes to improve visitor experience and is ready to welcome skiers and riders of all levels.
Michael Fulton
Falls Creek Expands Ski Terrain with Three New Lift Openings
Falls Creek ski resort in Australia is set to open three additional lifts, expanding accessible terrain following a strong start to the 2025 snow season.
Michael Fulton
Mount Hotham Rescue: Vehicles Trapped in Heavy Snow
Emergency services conducted a major rescue operation at Mount Hotham after several vehicles became trapped in heavy snowfall, highlighting the importance of proper preparation for alpine conditions.
Michael Fulton
Major Snowfall Forecast for Australian Alps This Long Weekend
A significant weather system is approaching the Australian Alps, promising substantial snowfall for the King's Birthday long weekend and potentially beyond, marking a strong start to the snow season.
Michael Fulton
Cloud 9 Restaurant at Falls Creek Completes Major Upgrade
Falls Creek's Cloud 9 Restaurant, located at the heart of the ski field, has undergone a significant three-year redevelopment. The upgraded venue now offers improved accessibility, expanded dining areas, and enhanced facilities to serve skiers and riders at this popular Australian ski resort.
Michael Fulton
Falls Creek Sports Introduces Free Equipment Valet Service
Falls Creek Sports offers a convenient free equipment valet service for renters, allowing skiers and riders to store their gear overnight and start fresh each morning.
Michael Fulton
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.
Michael Fulton
Falls Creek 2025 Season Permits: Early Bird and All-Resort Passes Now Available
Falls Creek has launched its 2025 Early Bird Sale for Vehicle Resort Entry Season Permits at $515 ($415 for seniors), offering unlimited access throughout the snow season. The All Resorts Permit is also available at $959, providing season-long entry to all six Victorian alpine resorts.
Michael Fulton
Latest News
More from the SnowStash desk
Aspen Snowmass Marks 80th Anniversary With $3.75 Throwback Lift Tickets
Aspen Snowmass turns 80 this December, and it's marking the milestone with $3.75 lift tickets on the anniversary itself - the original 1946 price. A discounted long weekend, $19.46 dining specials, lodging deals up to 46 percent off, and a season of anniversary programming round out the celebration across all four mountains.
17 Sept 2026
Doppelmayr Group Posts 9.1% Revenue Growth in 2025/26, Passing 1.3 Billion Euros
Doppelmayr closed its 2025/26 business year with revenue up 9.1 percent to 1.3 billion euros, driven by projects including the Big Sky Explorer Gondola, Deer Valley's Mayflower East Village Gondola, and the first TRI-Line installation at Hoch-Ybrig. Headcount grew too, with the ropeway manufacturer now employing almost 4,000 people worldwide.
16 Sept 2026
Hintertux Glacier Replaces 40-Year-Old Gondola to Tuxer Fernerhaus
Hintertux Glacier is retiring its 40-year-old gondola to the Tuxer Fernerhaus. The replacement carries 10 people per cabin instead of four, with seat heating and nearly 40 percent more hourly capacity. Doppelmayr's new line opens at the end of October 2026, right as the glacier's high-altitude terrain becomes accessible again for the new season.
16 Sept 2026
FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation is looking at a major shake-up to its title events calendar. From 2032, World Championships could run not just in odd-numbered years but in every non-Olympic winter too, effectively putting a global title event on the calendar almost every season. The FIS Council has approved the concept following a feasibility study, though an accelerated rollout as early as 2028 is also under consideration.
4 Sept 2026
Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.
4 Sept 2026
Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
Tremblant has confirmed a major expansion of its Quebec ski area, with a new Timber Summit sector adding 62 acres of terrain, eight trails and a high-speed quad chairlift for winter 2027/28. It's part of a CAD 42.5 million investment that also includes a new beginner learning zone at Versant Soleil opening this coming season. The project has grown considerably since it was first announced back in 2020, when it carried a far smaller budget and an opening date that never eventuated.
2 Sept 2026
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.
1 Sept 2026
Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
Thredbo Alpine Resort has confirmed plans to replace its 37-year-old Gunbarrel quad chairlift with a new six-seat Doppelmayr D-Line, targeting winter 2028. The AUD 35 million project will keep travel time roughly the same but lift capacity from 2,800 to 3,000 skiers per hour. It's part of a broader investment push that also includes doubled snowmaking capacity at Friday Flat for 2027, with the ageing Kosciuszko Express now flagged as the resort's next major lift replacement after Gunbarrel.
31 Aug 2026