Well, that didn't quite go to plan! I decided to hold off this week's snow report until the conditions had improved, and thankfully they have now. Last Thursday things were very gloomy indeed across the Australian ski resorts. Rain and warm winds created havoc and the inclement weather stayed around a little longer than anticipated.
Fortunately, Saturday saw temperatures drop nicely and good, heavy snowfalls across the Australian mountain ranges. Between 50 and 75cms has fallen since then, to low levels at times, with a few more snow showers still persisting. The resorts have regained the winter wonderland look that was lost at the end of last week.
 |
| Falls Creek 23 July 2013 [Source: Falls Creek FP page] |
Mt Hotham
Natural Snow Depth: 48cms
A combination of wind and a lack of snow left Hotham with almost no lifts running late last week. The weekend snowfalls have brought Heavenly Valley back into business, so we're back where we were a few weeks ago but with nicer snow all around the resort.
Falls Creek
Natural Snow Depth: 71cms
Falls did particularly well from the recent snowfalls and has reopened areas like Ruined Castle that had to close last week. The Summit lift has also reopened for some advanced skiing, and the resort is ski-in/ski-out for now.
Mt Buller
Natural Snow Depth: 31cms
 |
| Mt Perisher 23 July 2013 [Source: Perisher FB page] |
Perisher
Natural Snow Depth: Approx 50-70cms
42/47 lifts at Perisher and good conditions across the resort. Mt Perisher looks particularly good on the cams.
Thredbo
Natural Snow Depth: Approx 30-70cms
NEW ZEALAND
Sunny conditions have persisted in New Zealand and there has been a run of mild, clear days. Great for skiing and riding under clear skies, but you do need top-ups of snow when its mild or you lose your snow base.
All skifields are now losing a bit of snow, but the weather is due to turn cooler today. Snowfalls are more likely in Canterbury than the Southern Lakes this week.
Like Australia, not a lot of snow in the forecast, but hopefully that changes as the week goes on.
 |
| Ohau 22 July 2013 [Source: Ohau FB page] |
Rainbow has really struggled this year and is currently closed (40/15cms). Hanmer Springs (97cms) has now fixed its poma (one of two main lifts) and is looking to make the most of its typically short season. Mt Lyford - further east near Kaikoura, has 190cms and full snow cover.
Canterbury
Porters (160/40cms) in the unseasonably warm weather has lost a lot of snow in the last week since its opening but there is still great snow cover up high.
Mt Hutt (360/320cms) still has great cover but the news that the triple chair won't be fixed this year is disappointing as that particular skilift opens up much of the more interesting terrain at Mt Hutt. Kudos to nzski.com for thinking about how to open that terrain through the use of shuttles to take skiers and riders back to the base.
The Mackenzie
 |
| Treble Cone 22 July 2013 [Source: Treble Cone FB page] |
Wanaka
Treble Cone (275/5cms) has got fantastic cover in the Saddle Basin, while the lower-altitude Home Basin is looking even more sketchy and tussocky down the bottom compared to last week. A top-up is needed and will surely come soon. Cardrona (120/45cms) is still skiing nicely thanks to its higher altitude.
Queenstown
Coronet Peak (80/40cms) has fired up its snowmaking where possible to combat the spring conditions. Solid mornings are the go around the Queenstown area in these conditions at both CP and The Remarkables (120/80cms).
No comments:
Post a Comment