Australian snow season begins amid El Niño fears

Between 20cm and 40cm of snow fell across the Victorian and New South Wales alps before the long weekend, with the falls bolstered by snowmakers. Photograph: Thredbo resort View image in fullscreen Between 20cm and 40cm of snow fell across the Victorian and New South Wales alps before the long weekend, with the falls bolstered by snowmakers. Photograph: Thredbo resort Australian snow season begins amid El Niño fears Webcams showed snow blanketing the ground in some areas. In others, it was patchy or nonexistent Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Australia’s snow season has officially begun, with resorts predicting a good season despite climactic threats and the cost-of-living crisis. Between 20cm and 40cm of snow fell across the Victorian and New South Wales alps before the long weekend, with the falls bolstered by snowmakers. Damaged, deserted, dilapidated … what comes next for the Great Barrier Reef island resorts lying in ruins? Read more The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said on Friday that the snow was widespread, with light snow showers clearing up to deliver cold frosty nights and sunny days for the weekend. On Saturday, snow cams showed snow blanketing the ground in some areas. In others, it was patchy or nonexistent. Resorts increasingly have to rely on technology including snow cannons, snow “factories” (which can produce snow in any temperature), snow grooming and snow harvesting to keep skiers and snowboarders happy. Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email Thredbo resort’s general manager, Stuart Diver, said sales were up and they were “pretty confident it’s going to be a good season”. He dismissed predictions from the BoM of below-average snowfall, and said last year had been amazing despite a similar forecast. But ahead of the long weekend that marked the season’s “opening”, experts warned that climate change and the El Niño weather pattern could deliver a slushy season . BoM senior forecaster Jonathan How said dry, warm conditions combined with El Niño, which is likely to form in the coming weeks, were a “bad combination”. “It does not favour good deep snow cover for skiers,” he said, and added that lower rainfall and higher temperatures “[tip] the odds against a good season”. Interest in the 2026 season at Perisher, Falls Creek and Hotham was “strong”, Vail Resorts’ senior communications manager, Dani Wright, said. The company does not release sales data. The ABC reported last year that people were bringing their own meals, tents and barbecues to cut the cost of a ski trip, and there are many complaints online about the soaring cost of lift passes. Back in 2010, a one-day lift pass was about $100, according to a survey by the Australian Alpine Club. At the time, they were more expensive than some of the most famous resorts in the world. In general, a one-day pass can now cost more than double that, although there are a range of discounts for beginners, multi-day bundles and families. Vail Resorts has