Industry News
Perisher Ski Resort, Australia, announced today, September 25, that it will wrap up operations at the end of the day. After 109 days of skiing and boarding this season, the resort announced its decision to close earlier than announced just at the start of the week due to deteriorating conditions. “While this past season was not without its challenges, with limited natural snowfall and an above average amount of wind hold days, it was still an awesome one,” the resort shared on its website.
“We would like to advise that today, Wednesday 25th September will be the last day of operations at Perisher for the 2024 season. We have made this difficult decision based on current conditions and in the interest of guest and staff safety, as well as with the best interests of our environment in mind.”
— Perisher Ski Resort Facebook
While the forecast had indicated snowfall overnight, temperatures during the day, combined with torrential rain and strong winds, forced the resort to close before its earlier anticipated closing day of Sunday, September 29. The resort explained that it was unable to preserve the snowpack in Front Valley despite the best efforts of its grooming team. Perisher snowmaking and grooming did their best this season which was marked by below-average natural snowfall. The resort has invested over AUD 22 million (USD 15 million) since 2007 into improving and expanding the resort’s snowmaking system, including the installation of new automated, energy-efficient snow guns.
Australian resorts have experienced two consecutive below-average seasons due to unusually warm and dry winters. While the Australian Bureau of Meteorology announced a La Niña watch in May this year, the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), as well as the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), remained neutral for the skis season, which usually is good for snowfall. However, this season, snow depth at Spencer’s Creek, which has been measured since 1954, peaked at a mere 126.4 centimeters (50 inches).
