Australian ski areas are continuing to report one of their best seasons this century after a major snowstorm at the weekend bolstered already good cover since the start of winter.
"After an incredible start to the season Falls Creek and Hotham have enjoyed unbeatable conditions during the school holidays with families enjoying blue skies and clear days. Today, a huge snow storm has hit both resorts, delivering a dumping of fresh snow," said Dominique Tait who promotes Vail Resorts in Australia. The company owns those two ski areas as well as the country's largest, Perisher.
Australian ski areas are reported to have enjoyed bumper business this winter after most of the 2020- and 2021 seasons were lost to repeated pandemic lockdowns and in some cases poor snow cover during the brief periods centres could open. This winter the reports have been more of skiers and boarders having difficulties finding available accommodation in ski resorts, particularly at affordable prices during the current peak season.
"Anyone planning a trip is encouraged to plan early and book lift tickets, lessons and rentals online and in advance for the best savings," Dominique Tait advises.
Most Aussie ski areas report 95% or more of their terrain open and Thredbo currently reports the deepest base in the country at 120 cm (four feet) up top, a very healthy mid-July figure for Australian ski areas. Most of the country's other centres are within a few centimetres of that total.
The latest storms follow Australia's ski centres posting their best season start since the year 2000 after major snowfalls at the start of June and during the first third of the season there have been fairly consistent low temperatures and smaller snowfall top-ups.
Perisher has the most terrain open in the country (60km) and the second most in the world at present after Argentina's Catedral.
