Let the good times roll and slide! Its all happening in Australia as the ski season kicked off in spectacular fashion. Even more snow fell last weekend as a new follow-up storm arrived on Friday night bringing strong winds across the Alps.
The snow began to fall heavily in the early hours of Saturday, and by Sunday morning 40-60cms had fallen across the mountains. Another 20-30cms fell on Sunday as the storm brought more snow showers.
Snow showers continued into Monday with a few top-ups across the resorts. By Tuesday the northern ski resorts (Perisher, Thredbo, Falls Creek, and Mt Hotham) had around a metre snowdepth and most of their lifts running.
Fine conditions emerged in the middle of the week bringing some great skiing and clearer conditions for the lucky people not at work! It has been the best snowy start to school holidays in a number of years and you can bet everyone up there is enjoying it to the max.
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| Mt Hotham 01.07.14 [Source: Hotham FB page] |
Mt Hotham
About a metre on the ground now at Mt Hotham after snowfalls of around 20-30cms each of Saturday and Sunday. The wonderful Heavenly Valley opened in time for the weekend. Then the snowfalls on Saturday and Sunday saw the Gotcha and Blue Ribbon lifts opened. By Wednesday, all lifts at Hotham were open including The Orchard.
Falls Creek
Falls Creek opened Scotts and Ruined Castle on Saturday, opening up the whole of the back intermediate area of the resort. With another 40cms falling on Saturday, Summit opened on Sunday, as the resort topped a metre of snowdepth. The International lift opened on Tuesday, giving access to The Maze, usually the last area to open. Fully open at Falls now with almost all lifts running.
Mt Buller
Mt Buller opened the Summit and the Lydia Lassila chairlifts on the weekend. A snowfall of 22cms on Saturday was followed by the same again on Sunday. By Monday Howqua, Koflers and Southside were
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| Perisher 30.06.14 [Source: Perisher FB page] |
Lots more snow at Perisher on the weekend saw it become one of the first ski resorts in Australia to open most of its terrain this season, and on Monday it opened its Freedom Quad chairlfit at Guthega for the first time. A milestone event.
Thredbo
Most lifts were open at Thredbo by Tuesday, and by Wednesday Karels opened to complete the set. Top-to-bottom skiing at Thredbo!
A fine and mild start to the weekend in New Zealand made for some pleasant skiing at the ski resorts that were open. Not the snow that was expected, but not too much rain either fortunately. Not that there would have been much snow to wash away anyway.
Look, it has clearly been unseasonably warm across the South Island of New Zealand, but finally the weather patterns have changed and patience will be rewarded! It started to snow on Monday evening as the cooler air arrived. No great falls however, and limited to Otago initially rather than Canterbury.
But the changed conditions are here now and there should be some more snow this weekend as it remains very cold and some snow showers come through, especially down around Queenstown and Wanaka. A couple of falls of 20cms or so will do wonders!
North Canterbury and Nelson
Rainbow is still due to open on the 5th July. Hanmer Springs has delayed opening further to the 10th July, but its begun snowing up there. Still waiting at Mt Lyford.
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| Treble Cone 01.07.14 [Source: Treble Cone FB page] |
Ohau got 15cms earlier in the week and is due to open today, Thursday. Roundhill needs a bit more snow, as does Mt Dobson which was due to get going on 4th July.
Treble Cone got more than 20cms up on its highest slopes, and a little bit down low. It will open on Friday 4th July. Cardrona got 15cms Monday into Tuesday morning and is doing pretty well.
Queenstown
Coronet Peak (30/20cms) got a bit of snow overnight into Tuesday and snowmaking will be firing this weekend across the mountain. The Remarkables got 10cms into Tuesday and is opening today, Thursday, for the first time this season. An exciting time with the new chairlift ready to roll!
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