Australian Ski Resorts To Close Amidst Poor Snow Conditions

Earlier this week, Selwyn Snow Resort, Australia, announced that it would close for the season on August 25th, citing snow conditions. Now, two more Australian resorts have joined Selwyn Snow Resort in wrapping things up.

Mt. Baw Baw will end its season on September 1st. Challenging conditions plagued the resort at August's end.

It’s the second year in a row that Mt. Baw Baw closed in early September. Last winter—which was Australia’s warmest on record—the resort suspended winter operations on September 3rd.

Resort entry is discounted for the rest of Mt. Baw Baw’s truncated season.

Mt. Buller, another Australian ski area, also plans to conclude operations on September 1st, over two weeks earlier than its closing date of September 17th last winter. Buller Ski Lifts General Manager shared the decision: "It seems unfair to have had two challenging seasons in a row but I am immensely proud of everyone who have kept striving and smiling and will be doing so until Sunday afternoon."

The lack of snow hasn’t just impacted the duration of Mt. Buller’s season. The ski area planned to host its 33rd ABOM Mogul Challenge—which sees Olympic hopefuls smashing their way down a manicured bump course—but that event is no longer on the schedule.

“Due to the current snow conditions and forecast, we are unable to produce a course that would meet the required International Ski Federation (FIS) standards to hold the ABOM Mogul Challenge,” read a statement from Mt. Buller.

Perisher, the Southern Hemisphere's largest alpine resort, is still kicking but has had to reduce operations . From September 1st onwards, two of its areas—Guthega and Smiggin Holes—will be closed.

“The recent warm temps, rain, and wind mean that we can no longer safely operate the terrain in these areas,” said Nathan Butterworth, Perisher’s VP and general manager, in an announcement video shared on social media. “There’s still plenty of opportunity for you to rip at Perisher this spring.”

The Australian Mountain Research Facility, Australian National University, and Protect Our Winters Australia published a report investigating climate change's impact on the Australian Alps.

One of its key findings is that under a mid emissions scenario, Australia’s average ski seasons will become 44 days shorter by 2050. That number increases to 55 days under a high-emissions scenario. All emission scenarios suggest snowfall will become increasingly unreliable in Australia.

“Fewer resorts are expected to make up Australia’s snow tourism industry, with some resorts at risk of closing without successful adaptation,” the report reads.

Related: NOAA: Temps Varied 100+ Degrees This Week Due to Freak Cold Front

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