After a dry spell in June, Australia’s ski fields are finally blanketed in snow – and there’s more powder on the way.

If you’ve been patiently checking the live snow cams and wondering whether winter was ever going to show face, there’s finally some good news. Australia’s ski season has found its footing, with fresh snowfall and icy temperatures giving the country’s alpine resorts a welcome winter boost just as the school holidays get underway. 

This year, Australia experienced its warmest June in decades. And while the heat was celebrated by the cold-averse, the country’s alpine areas suffered. The unusually high temperatures resulted in severe snow droughts and one of the slowest starts to the Aussie ski season in more than 70 years.  

Thankfully, the weather has turned. A series of cold fronts beginning on 3 July swept across south-east Australia last week, bringing natural snowfall and much-needed freezing temperatures. While there has been no new powder in the last 48 hours, weather forecasts are predicting up to 48cm of fresh snowfall for the next 15 days at certain resorts. 

With the added help of extensive snowmaking, conditions have improved dramatically – allowing resorts to progressively open more terrain. The welcome burst of cold weather has transformed the slopes and lifted the spirits of skiers and snowboarders who have been waiting to dust off their gear. 

Victoria’s Falls Creek was among the biggest beneficiaries of last week’s blast, reporting 33cm of fresh snow. Four lifts are currently operating, with temperatures dropping to -6°C overnight and 20-48cm of new snowfall predicted for the next 15 days. In time for the July school holidays, the resort is buzzing with a lineup of fun activities, including visiting the new 10-metre Flower of the Alpine Sun sculpture installed as part of the resort’s $750,000 makeover. 

Over on Mt Hotham, last week’s snowstorm delivered 30cm of fresh snow in 48 hours, accumulating to 36cm of total snowfall in the past week. The mountain’s machines have been working to maintain the cover since. Like Falls Creek, forecasts predict a confident 20 to 48cm of snow over the next two weeks.  

Mt Buller has also bounced back after the slow start to winter. Following a burst of almost 30cm of snow on 3 July, visitors can expect between 15 and 37cm of snowfall over the next 15 days. Today skiers are out enjoying the firm conditions, thanks to snowmaking overnight and grooming helping to bolster the snowpack. 

In NSW, Perisher has received 32cm of natural snowfall over the past week and is readying for more: an estimated 16 to 38cm across the next two weeks. Overnight, the temperature dropped below -7°C, with 225 snow guns firing to help maintain the snow cover. 

Thredbo is also seeing significantly improved ski conditions. Thanks to more than 25cm of natural snowfall last week and consistent artificial snowmaking, slope shredders have finally been able to carve tracks down the mountain. 

Safe to say, there are plenty of happy faces on the mountains this week. With conditions continuing to improve, it’s shaping up to be an opportune time to experience our alpine regions.