Australian Ski Areas Average Snow Depth Passes The Metre Mark (17-Aug-10)

Australia, August 17, 2010 - Heavy snow in Australia's ski regions

 

Heavy snow in Australia’s ski regions over the past few weeks has taken the average depth at most of the country’s major resorts past the ‘magic metre mark’ (3.3 feet) for the first time this winter.

The great conditions follow a cold first two months to the season – allowing for record breaking snowmaking – but with limited natural snowfall. At the end of July resorts were averaging a nearer 30cm (one foot) natural snow pack.

 That has all changed in the past few weeks with resorts receiving big falls of up to 60cm (two feet) in 48 hours and other smaller falls to top up levels further too.

One of the country’s leading resorts,  Mt Buller, is one of those reporting up to a metre base in areas topped up by snow making and 19 lifts operating.

At Hotham it has been back to back snowfall weeks with 51cm in the first week and another 33cm last week leaving the resort looking all lovely and white.  The resort’s snowmaking areas are in great condition with a snow depth of over 122cm (four feet).  The average natural snow depth is 78cm (2.5 feet).

In one of the snowiest spots, between Perisher and Charlotte Pass ski areas in New South Wales the natural snow depth has been measured at 104cm (3.5 feet).  At Perisher itself, the country’s biggest ski area, 48 of the 50 lifts are operating.

Resorts are now hoping that with more snow forecast the snow depth by September will pass last year’s figure of just under 1.5m (five feet).