COUNTDOWN TO WINTER – Cold Temps Herald Winter’s Arrival

May 7th, 2013

Mountainwatch | Alex Horvath

It’s officially time to get excited, winter is just around the corner! Over the next five weeks we’ll be keeping the content flowing to stimulate your stoke in the lead up to winter 2013. Expect the latest photos and news about snowfall and weather, whats happening at the resorts, snowmaking, photos plus all the best new gear and travel info to keep you in the loop. The air is getting colder, the days are getting shorter; winter is coming…

We have hit the mark, officially one month to go until opening weekend and I can feel the buzz in my bones! Conversations at the pub have started, season pass bills have arrived and plans are being finalised. With the recent spate of snow to hit the mountains people are getting noticeably excited.


NZSki heads of department enjoy the new snow at The Remarkables today Image:: Courtesy of NZSki

The Grasshopper’s Daily snow forecasts will return Monday 27 May for 2013. In the meantime read the latest season outlooks – Australia and New Zealand.

Save the date:

  • The Eager Beaver Rail Jam Thursday 6 June – will be hitting the beachside town of Manly, some of Australia’s best rail riders will be battling it out inside the Hotel Steyne for a cash prize purse of $5000. More info here
  • Snow Travel Expo 2013 returns to inspire snow lover’s passion for travel, over 50 of the world’s top ski resorts will be coming to Sydney (May 26) and Melbourne (May 19) to help you plan your next adventure.

Snowmaking starts

After a spate of cold temperatures Perisher has taken the lead as the first resort to kick off their snowmaking for 2013. A nice cold man-made snowpack will be paramount for opening weekend shredding if mother nature is a little late to the table this year, other resorts will be planning to start as soon as weather conditions allow. Susie Diver from Thredbo media confirmed that they plan to flick the switch as soon as temperatures allow after Monday 22 May. Thredbo has also invested further in new snowmaking and now boasts new snow making capacity at the top of Eagle Way meaning that top to bottom skiing from Kosi chair will now be possible earlier than ever.

In the forecast

Nothing in the forecast snow wise, just sunny days with cold overnight temperatures. As these temps begin to dip even lower we should start to see some of that all important ground freeze start to occur! I am keeping my end of the forecast window, at this stage our models are picking up some flurry activity at 7 days!

Perisher forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Falls Creek forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Mount Buller forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Hotham forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Thredbo forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.

Mount Baw Baw forecasts,
snow reports and
live snow cams.