Snow season has arrived at Australia’s ski resorts – there’s just one small problem

The much-anticipated opening weekend of the snow season across the country is missing one essential ingredient.

Mother Nature didn’t cooperate, with more grass than snow seen at resorts for Australian skiers and snowboarders.

The gloomy conditions are not unusual for the start of the ski season, especially as the climate has warmed in recent decades.

Victoria’s Mt Buller had the only ski chairlift across all of Australia’s resorts on Saturday.

There was some skiing and snowboarding on Mt Buller’s Bourke Street beginners’ slope, with the Bourke Street Express six-seater chairlift and Bourke Street Carpet open on Saturday.

By investing in snowmaking technology, Mt Buller has been building snow reserves since May.

There was more grass than snow for the Australian skiers and snowboarders

Resorts are hoping for a big snowpack to kick-start the season

Mt Buller’s terrain park, a toboggan run and snow play area were open, with beginner lessons available.

At Mount Baw Baw, the closest downhill ski area to Melbourne, all seven ski lifts are closed.

It wasn’t good news at Mount Hotham: twelve lifts were closed and all fifteen lifts at Falls Creek were inactive.

At Perisher in NSW, the largest ski resort in Australia, there was a single conveyor belt in operation at the base.

All 45 other lifts at Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Blue Cow and Guthega were closed.

Despite the conditions, families did their best to enjoy the man-made snow in Perisher on the opening weekend.

In nearby Thredbo, all ski slopes and parks remained closed, with only two chairlifts open purely for scenic rides.

It was another sad story at Selwyn Snow Resort, where no lifts were open.

Charlotte Pass, Australia’s oldest and highest ski resort, is closed until at least July 5 due to a May 17 fire at the resort’s sewage treatment plant.

NSW MP for Monaro Steve Whan maintains a positive attitude.

He said the resorts are hoping for a big snowfall in the next week to kick-start the season.

“Hopefully we’ll get temperatures that will allow snow to be made,” he said.

“The resorts have invested heavily in snowmaking, so we can be confident that once we reach overnight temperatures, there will be snow for people to come and ski on.”