Australia’s ski season is shaping up to be one of the poorest on record, with the Snowy Mountains facing the possibility of their worst start to winter in more than seven decades.
Visitors who travelled to alpine resorts for the opening weeks of the season have instead been met with muddy slopes, slush and patchy snow cover after an unusually warm June.
Weatherzone said temperatures across southeastern Australia and the Australian Alps have been well above average this month.
“Across southeastern Australia and the Australian Alps this June, both maximum and minimum temperatures have averaged around 2-3°C above the long-term June average,” Weatherzone reported.
“For example, the average daily maximum at Victoria’s highest ski resort, Mt Hotham has been 3.5°C to date in June 2026. That might sound chilly, but the long-term June average is 1.5°C.”
The lack of snowfall means there is a chance New South Wales could record its first snowless start to July at a major alpine site in 72 years.
The snow gauge at Spencers Creek, the highest of three NSW locations where snow depth is regularly monitored, currently shows no snow cover.
“Only once previously, in data going back to 1954, has Spencers Creek registered a snowless reading in July,” a spokesperson said.
“Even this week, with the mercury falling below zero for at least four consecutive nights at alpine resorts like Perisher (NSW) and Falls Creek (Victoria), the atmosphere has been a little too humid to fire up the snow guns with effect,” Weatherzone said.
“Cold nights aren’t the only part of the snowmaking equation. When humidity is high, and the air is saturated, the tiny droplets of water sprayed out by snow guns won’t freeze even if the temperature is slightly below zero.”
Forecasters say there is some hope for snow enthusiasts, with temperatures expected to fall below average across southeastern Australia from about July 4.
“That’s a pointer to the coming snowy system, although how much moisture is associated with the potential cold outbreak remains to be seen,” Weatherzone said.
In the meantime, the outlook for the alpine region remains “bleak” with more rain predicted.
“If you’re heading to the ‘snow,’ pack the hiking boots and a raincoat too.”
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