Ski
Falls Creek has received 156cm of snow so far this month. Picture: Matt Hull Source: Supplied
SKI fields around the nation are reporting huge snow dumps and are encouraging skiers to make the most of the ideal conditions.
Mount Hotham has recorded its highest August snowfalls in almost a decade, receiving 143 centimetres of snow with 51cm recorded in the past week.
It’s the heaviest August snowfall the mountain has received since 2001, with a further 50cm predicted to fall by the weekend.
Mt Hotham spokeswoman Gina Woodward says the record snowfall is a relief.
“It’s great to see such a snowy August – pre-season forecasts had said it would be drier than this so it’s a great surprise,” Ms Woodward said.
“It’s the best second half of a season for many years.”
Ms Woodward said man-made snow production has peaked thanks to dry and cold conditions in July.
“Current man-made snow production is around 150 per cent more than this time last year, allowing us to get more areas and access trails open earlier,” she said.
“This will also allow us to keep the areas open in spring with a current snow base in those areas of 122cm.”
All 12 lifts at Mt Hotham will be operational.
Falls Creek has also reported significant snowfall during the month, with 156cm so far and an additional 30-50cm forecast.
“This is shaping up to be one of our better August snowfalls in a decade,” Falls Creek spokesman Ian Talbot said.
The snowfall so far has topped Falls Creek's 2008 August reading of 146cm, and is sure to give 2004 – with 218cm, and 2000 – 195cm – a run for their money.
There are 15 lifts open at Falls Creek.
Meanwhile both Perisher and Charlotte Pass have received 5cm of snow overnight and it will continue falling until Friday. Perisher has 47 lifts open and Charlotte Pass has five.
Mt Buller has received 3cm in the last 24 hours, with an average coverage of 83cm. There are 19 lifts open.
A huge snow storm earlier this month transformed the season, dumping between 35-55 centimetres of snow across Australian ski fields.
