
The Australian winter has started in the best fashion: with fresh snow falling across the Australian Alps just days before opening weekend. Winter in Australia officially begins on June 1, and Mother Nature wasted no time delivering the goods.
Snow fell across alpine regions of Victoria and New South Wales over the weekend and into Monday, giving resorts a timely early-season boost ahead of the King’s Birthday long weekend, when most Australian ski areas open for the season beginning Saturday, June 6.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), between 2 and 8 centimeters (1 to 3 inches) of snow fell across parts of northeastern Victoria and southern New South Wales as winter began. “For those hoping to see some snow this year, the season has started off on good footing,” the BOM said in its June 2 update.
Perisher and Falls Creek Lead Early Snowfall
At Perisher, Australia’s largest ski resort, around 4 centimeters (1.6 inches) of natural snowfall fell overnight on June 1 as temperatures dropped to -2°C (28°F) in the valley. “As well as natural snowfall, we had 59 snowguns firing from 9 p.m. all through the night, and they are still cranking this morning,” said Emily Smith, Senior Manager of Brand and Experience at Perisher. The snowfall arrived just days before the resort’s scheduled opening weekend, adding momentum to extensive snowmaking efforts already underway across the mountain.
Over in Victoria, Falls Creek reported an even stronger early-season dump, recording 10 centimeters (4 inches) of fresh snow on June 2. Overnight temperatures dipped to -1.1°C (30°F). “The village is coming to life, excitement is building, and we can’t wait to welcome guests back this weekend,” said Betony Pitcher, Falls Creek Manager of Brand and Experience. Like resorts across the region, Falls Creek teams have been working around the clock, combining natural snowfall with snowmaking whenever conditions allow.
More Snow Ahead of Opening Weekend
The early storm cycle may not be finished yet. The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting additional pulses of snow ahead of the King’s Birthday long weekend, which marks opening weekend for most Australian ski resorts beginning Saturday, June 6.
A few more centimeters of snow could fall above 1,700 meters (5,577 feet) on Tuesday, with colder air pushing snow levels down to around 1,300 meters (4,265 feet) on Wednesday. Additional snow showers are expected through Thursday and into Friday morning. Conditions are then expected to improve just in time for opening weekend, with cold, calm, and mostly clear weather forecast across the alpine regions.
For skiers and snowboarders heading into the 2026 Australian season, it’s an encouraging start: fresh natural snow on the ground, snowmaking systems firing, and more snow in the forecast leading straight into opening weekend.
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