Big Snow Falls Down Under (09-Aug-10)

Mt Hotham, Australia, August 9, 2010 - Australian ski resort have seen their

Australian ski resorts have seen their biggest snowfalls of winter 2010 so far over the past week, with two resorts – Mt Hotham and Perisher – both reporting around 60cm (two feet) accumulated taking average snow depth above the metre (3.3 foot) mark.

Prior to the big snowfalls, Australian ski areas had had low temperatures for snowmaking for most of the two months the majority have been open, and Perisher had set a record for snow made by machine as a result, but there had not been a great amount if natural snowfall.

The snowfall has reportedly slowed but it still continuing with temperatures well below freezing and most areas reporting a few centimetres more each night.

Hotham reports 59cm of fresh snowflakes falling and eight lifts now running after Australia Drift opened for the first time this season this weekend. The Heavenly Valley Chair has also started turning from for the first time this season, and will continue to run from 7.30am from Wednesday to Sundays (snow and weather permitting) so early-birds can beat the crowds and grab first turns on Hotham's slopes.