News category
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
Mt Rose Aims to Open First in Tahoe on November 6
Mt Rose is going for the first-in-Tahoe title, with the Lakeview Express due to spin at 9 a.m. on Friday, November 6. One main lift, three runs and plenty of snowmaking, sitting on the highest base elevation in the region at 8,260 ft. Here is what is open, what is not (sorry, tubing fans), and how the early North American openings are stacking up.
4 Nov 2026
Europe Snow Forecast: Serre Chevalier Leads With 82 cm Over the Next 10 Days
Europe has had a quiet start to November, but our 10-day forecast has Serre Chevalier on 82 cm and Les 2 Alpes on 71 cm. Two pushes are lined up: a western Alps top-up from Friday, then a bigger, wider system on Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13 that reaches Italy and Switzerland. Full leaderboard inside.
4 Nov 2026
Mammoth Mountain Opens Early on November 5 With Up to 33 Inches of Snow in the Forecast
Mammoth just moved opening day forward to Thursday, November 5, eight days ahead of schedule. A snowy weekend and cold snowmaking nights did the work, and our forecast shows up to 33 inches more landing on November 13 and 14. Here is what opens, what the weather looks like and where Mammoth sits among the early Ikon Pass openers.
3 Nov 2026
Utah Snow Storm Builds Early-Season Base Ahead of November Openings
Rain down low, snow up high, and a snow report full of zeros that mostly means ‘not updated yet’. Utah’s first proper storm of 2026-27 is rolling through the Wasatch, Snowbird’s snow stake is closing in on 10 inches, and Brian Head is five days from opening day. Early November snow rarely looks like much, but it is the layer every November opening date is built on. Here is where it stands.
1 Nov 2026
Sierra Nevada Halloween Storm: Dodge Ridge Forecast to Lead With 19 Inches
Halloween weekend brings a wet, windy storm to the Sierra Nevada. Our five-day forecast has Dodge Ridge on top with 19 in, followed by Bear Valley at 15 in and Mammoth Mountain at 12 in, with most of it landing on Saturday. A winter weather advisory covers the Tahoe Basin and Mono County until 7 AM Sunday, gusts could reach 47 mph and the freezing level swings between 4,900 and 8,700 ft, so some bases will see rain. A dry spell follows from Monday.
31 Oct 2026
Lake Louise Opens Early on 1 November With Juniper Express and Easy Street
The Rockies get their first lift-served turns of the season early. Lake Louise opens Sunday 1 November, five days ahead of schedule, after a cold October and round-the-clock work from the snowmaking and mountain crews. Terrain is limited to Juniper Express Chair and Easy Street, with two small terrain parks and the beginner area for lessons. Opening-day tickets are over 60% off, with prices rising as more lifts open. First chair is at 9:30 am under the resort’s new lift hours.
31 Oct 2026
Kitzbüheler Horn Summit Cable Car to Be Replaced After 70 Years
A Tyrolean summit lift that has been carrying guests up the Kitzbüheler Horn since 1955 is on borrowed time. Its licence runs to 2045, but a new inspection rule has made refurbishment uneconomic, so Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel will spend around €15 million on a replacement on the same line. It should hold roughly 100 people and keep running in winds that would stop today’s lift. Building starts in autumn 2027, which makes this winter and next summer the last chances to ride the old one.
30 Oct 2026
What’s New in Japan Skiing This Winter: Niseko Gondola, a Private Resort and a Bigger Ikon Pass
Niseko Village is replacing a lift from the early 1980s with an eight-person gondola, Tsugaike gets a six-person chairlift, Madarao joins the Ikon Pass and Togari opens Asia’s first private ski resort. Here’s what is actually new in Japan skiing for 2026/27, plus what is still a year or two away.
30 Oct 2026