A week after Australia's ski season began with half of centres opening without being able to offer any snowsports, this weekend sees all open centres offering some snowsports.
The improvement comes after a week of cold temperatures allowing for more snowmaking, as well as some light, natural snowfall.
"We've had a few amazing days here at Perisher with 26cm of natural snowfall and some super cold temperatures, which has been really good for snowmaking," said Olivia Mason, Perisher Marketing Coordinator, "and because of that we've been able to open Front Valley, the V8 and the Carpet is running, and everyone's having a great time!"
Australia's largest ski area has had all 167 snow guns firing and has the most terrain open in the country so far – but that's not a lot still, about 3.2km or two miles of runs, 5% of its total area.
Falls Creek, along with Mt Buller, Selwyn and Mt Hotham were among the areas unable to offer any snowsports at all in their first week of the 2024 season. That's changed today though with skiers there enjoyed their first turns in the beginner zone at the Mouse Trap Carpet.
"After 19cm of snowfall this week and great snowmaking conditions, Falls Creek is looking winter white, it's exciting times!" said Betony Pitcher, Falls Creek Field Marketing Manager. "Huge thanks to our operations teams for getting us to this point. We're now focused on getting Wombat's Ramble open as soon as possible so our guests can ski or snowboard back to the village on Australia's longest green run."
It's a similar story of only 1-5% of terrain open so far across Australia and the forecast for the coming week isn't yet showing any big snowfalls on the horizon, however overnight lows should allow more snowmaking.
"More terrain and lift openings are coming very soon – watch this space," promised Falls Creek.