Three Australian ski areas are opening early for the 2017 ski season after heavy snowfall at the start of this week.
Mt Baw Baw was the first to open, 10 days earlier than planned, on June 1st
Mount Baw Baw has started its snow season early for the first time in more than a decade. The alpine resort today opened to the public after enjoying unusually high snowfall in late Autumn.
Posted by WIN News Gippsland on Thursday, 1 June 2017
Mt Buller, which has also invested in an all-weather snowmaking system which can make snow at high positive temperatures will open on Friday 2nd June, the first ski area in the southern hemisphere outside Chile to do so. Perisher (pictured above on Wednesday) will follow on Saturday June 3rd.
Only 4 days till we open. Are you ready for the weekend? bit.ly/2scHjeP
Posted by Perisher on Tuesday, 30 May 2017
Mt Buller’s new Techno Alpin ‘Snow Factory’ system can produce 220 cubic metres of snow per day in temperatures up to 15 degrees Celsius. It is part of a $1.6M investment that will also see more snow guns installed on the Skyline area.
However it is the natural snowfall that is allowing the resorts to open early, coupled with cold weather for natural snow making.
Australian ski areas normally open on the Queen’s Birthday Holiday Weekend there, which this year is on the 10th-12th June, whether there’s snow or not.
Ski season opening early! We're skiing on Friday. 1st in Aus!
Posted by Mt Buller on Tuesday, 30 May 2017
Mt Buller will open its Bourke Street area this Friday night between 5.30-8.30pm for a special free Twilight Session.
Bourke Street will stay open for skiing into the weekend and over next week with the Blue Bullet lift running from 9am – 5pm daily. Beginner “Discover” lessons will commence at the Ski & Snowboard School from 10am Saturday.
Lift passes from Saturday will be $60 for adults and $33 for children and can be purchased on mountain. Resort entry will be free of charge until the 9 June 2017.
