The long-awaited opening weekend of the snow season across the country is missing a vital ingredient.
Mother Nature did not cooperate and more grass than snow was seen at resorts for Australia’s skiers and snowboarders.
Terrible conditions are not unusual at the start of the ski season, particularly as the climate has warmed in recent decades.
Victoria’s Mount Buller had the only ski-accessible chairlift operating in any resort in Australia on Saturday.
There was some skiing and snowboarding on Mt Buller’s beginner run, Bourke Street, with the Bourke Street Express six-seater chairlift and Bourke Street Carpet open on Saturday.
By investing in snowmaking technology, Mt Buller has been accumulating snow since May.
There was more grass than snow for Australia’s skiers and snowboarders
Tourist centers expect a big snowfall to start the season
The Mount Buller terrain park, a toboggan run and a snow play area were open, with beginner lessons available.
At Mount Baw Baw, the closest alpine ski area to Melbourne, all seven lifts are closed.
It wasn’t good news at Mount Hotham with 12 lifts closed and all 15 lifts at Falls Creek not working.
At Perisher in New South Wales, which is Australia’s largest ski resort, a single conveyor lift operated at its base.
The other 45 lifts were closed at Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Blue Cow and Guthega.
Despite the conditions, families did their best to enjoy the artificial snow at Perisher on the first weekend.
In nearby Thredbo, all ski slopes and parks remained closed, with only two chairlifts open solely for scenic rides.
It was another sad story at Selwyn Snow Resort, with no open lifts.
Charlotte Pass, Australia’s oldest and highest ski resort, will be closed until at least July 5 following a fire on May 17 at the resort’s wastewater treatment plant.
NSW MP for Monaro Steve Whan remains positive.
He said resorts are expecting a big snowfall next week to kick off the season.
“Hopefully we get to those temperatures that will allow snow to occur,” he said.
“The resorts have invested heavily in snow production, so we can be confident that once we reach overnight temperatures, there will be snow for people to come ski.”
