Australia's warmer-than-we'd-like latter half of its 2023 season has had a bit of good news with up to 20cm of snowfall reported in the last 24 hours.
The wintery weather was accompanied by a fresh temperature drop to -5C overnight, allowing for snowmaking systems to fire up too.
The snowfall was heavier than expected and Mt Buller says that as a result it swill be staying open longer than planned, to a week on Sunday, September 17th.
Mt Hotham reported they're increasingly confident of making their target closure date of 1st October.
"This snow and the cold temperatures will consolidate the terrain we have on offer, which consists of good beginner to intermediate terrain – as spring is typically quieter on the slopes it's a really good time for families and newer snow goers to visit. Hotham is working hard to keep the current terrain offering open through to the scheduled closing date of Oct 1, with snow making efforts in these areas continuing when conditions allow," said Emily Smith, Hotham Marketing Manager.
After some good early-season snowfalls in June, Australia had seen temperatures above average through July and August and two area, Selwyn Resort and Mt Baw Baw, announced last week they were forced to end their ski seasons.
However most of the larger ski areas have been able to keep most of their terrain open all season and at one point in July, Perisher, pictured top today and expected to stay open into October, had the most terrain open in the world.