Fresh snow and cold temperatures have delivered a timely boost to Australia’s ski season, with all five major mainland resorts confirming skiing and snowboarding operations for opening weekend on Saturday, June 6.
While terrain offerings remain limited, recent snowfall and snowmaking have allowed Perisher, Thredbo, Falls Creek, Hotham, and Mt. Buller to get lifts and carpets spinning for the first turns of the winter.
Mt Buller reports 22 centimeters (9 inches) of fresh snow, while Thredbo has recorded 13 centimeters (5 inches) over the past 72 hours. Perisher reported 10 centimeters (4 inches) of fresh snowfall and a natural snow depth of 22 centimeters (9 inches) heading into opening day.
Perisher Opens With Skiing, Snowboarding, and PEAK Festival
Australia’s largest ski resort will offer skiing and snowboarding on the Front Valley conveyor carpet, along with a hike park and snowplay areas.
Opening weekend coincides with Perisher’s popular PEAK Music Festival, which will feature more than 20 acts across three days and ten venues. Australian Idol winner Kesha Neve is scheduled to headline the event.
Several food and beverage venues, including Jax Bar, Skirock, and Base Grind, will be open, while retail stores will welcome guests looking to gear up for winter. A complimentary shuttle bus will operate between Perisher and Smiggin Holes throughout the weekend.
“We’re thrilled to welcome guests back to Perisher and to share the excitement of opening weekend at Australia’s largest ski resort,” said Nathan Butterworth, Vice President and General Manager of Perisher. “After fresh snowfall in the week, strong snowmaking conditions and our teams working tirelessly to prepare the mountain, we’re stoked to have skiing and boarding back at Perisher for opening weekend.”
Thredbo Kicks Off Winter on Friday Flat
Thredbo has confirmed skiing and snowboarding will be available on Friday Flat, although the resort says final lift and carpet operations will be confirmed on Saturday morning.
The resort is pairing its on-snow opening with a packed weekend schedule that includes Alpine Coaster rides, live music, fireworks, family activities, and appearances by Australian Winter Olympic medalists Josie Baff and Ben Tudhope.
Guests will also have the opportunity to attend a public screening of Warren Miller’s latest ski film, SNO-CIETY, while Australian electronic duo SHOUSE headlines the opening weekend Après Club celebration.
Falls Creek Opens Mouse Trap Carpet
Falls Creek will offer skiing and snowboarding via the Mouse Trap carpet, while the Halley’s Comet chairlift will provide scenic rides and access to Cloud 9 Restaurant.
The resort’s Opening Weekend Festival includes a guided alpine art walk, the unveiling of the new Flower of the Alpine Sun public artwork, live entertainment, fire twirlers, and fireworks in the Village Bowl.
Sunday’s schedule includes the annual Falls Creek Legends Lunch at Frying Pan Inn.
“We’re thrilled to have skiing and boarding for opening day,” said Richard Phillips, Vice President and General Manager of Falls Creek and Hotham. “Our team has worked incredibly hard to bring the mountain to life for opening weekend with celebrations and events.”
Hotham Welcomes Winter With Summit Trainer Carpet
At Hotham, skiing and snowboarding will be available on the Summit Trainer Carpet.
The resort’s Welcome to Winter Weekend includes trivia, live DJs, live music, special lunches, and village activities. Fire pits, hot chocolate, and marshmallow roasting will be available near Big D, while the Hotham Hub at Wire Plain may offer snowplay and tobogganing if conditions permit.
The Bird Café and Bar will also reopen for the season with an updated menu.
Mt. Buller Opens Bourke Street Express
Mt. Buller will celebrate the start of winter with the opening of Bourke Street Express on Saturday morning.
Students from Mt. Buller Primary School, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary, will have the honor of riding the season’s first chair before public operations begin.
The resort’s opening weekend festivities include fireworks in Village Square, face painting, marshmallow roasting, and visits from the popular Howling Huskys sled dog team. Northside Express will also operate for scenic chairlift rides throughout the weekend.
A Promising Start to Winter
Like most Australian opening weekends, terrain remains limited as resorts continue building snow bases. However, recent snowfall, favorable snowmaking conditions, and colder temperatures have given resort operators confidence heading into the first week of the season.
For Australia’s skiers and snowboarders, though, the most important detail is simple: after months of waiting, winter has officially arrived.