Growing Number of Australian Resorts Ending Seasons Early
Growing Number of Australian Resorts Ending Seasons Early
Published : 31-Aug-2024 02:48
Record warm temperatures and strong winds are being blamed for a growing number of Australian ski areas announcing that their seasons are over, 3-5 weeks earlier than they'd wished.
Selwyn ski area announced a week ago that it was closing temporarily due to the conditions but said that it hoped to reopen if conditions allowed. It's now announced its season is over.
It's since been joined by Mt Baw Baw, Mt Buller and Mt Hotham, most saying that this Sunday September 1st will be their final day of winter operations.
Some parts of Australia saw record high winter temperatures touching +38C in recent weeks and although base depths had been bolstered by snowfall in late July and early August, the snowpack could not with stand the warm weather. Ironically though and Antarctic blast of cold and snow is expected to start next week, however the better weather is expected to be short lived.
"It's with disappointment that we share that Wednesday, 4th September will be the last day of our 2024 winter operations," a spokesperson for Mt Hotham said, adding, "Over the past month unseasonably warm temperatures and rain have severely impacted the conditions here at Hotham. …With blizzard conditions expected Monday, including fresh snow, followed by clear, calm weather, Tuesday could be a great day for final turns."
Falls Creek, Perisher and Thredbo remain open with no early closure announcement yet, however base depths have dropped by a third in the past week and terrain open has also dropped dramatically to 15-40% of their full areas.
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