As temperatures flip, Australia's ski resorts rely on overnight 'saviour'
News Source
β’Thu, 23 Jul 2026 19:47:18 +0000
π° What Happened
Australia's ski resorts are having one of the worst snow seasons in decades. Natural snowfall did not come until July 3, which is very late. But some resorts still opened on time thanks to artificial snowmaking. Mount Buller has spent $17 million on snowmaking over 25 years. It now runs over 300 snow guns across almost 80 kilometers of ski runs. The machines can only work when the temperature drops below -2 degrees Celsius.
π The Backstory
Australia has a ski industry in the alpine regions of Victoria and New South Wales. Climate change is making winters less predictable and warmer. Snow seasons are getting shorter and less reliable each year. Resorts are investing heavily in snowmaking technology to stay open. Some people worry this is just a temporary fix for a bigger problem. The ski industry supports thousands of jobs and brings in tourism money.
π― Why It Matters
Climate change is already affecting Australian winters and the sports people love. Snowmaking can only help so much if temperatures keep rising.
Australia's ski resorts are having one of the worst snow seasons in decades. Natural snowfall did not come until July 3, which is very late. But some resorts still opened on time thanks to artificial snowmaking. Mount Buller has spent $17 million on snowmaking over 25 years. It now runs over 300 snow guns across almost 80 kilometers of ski runs. The machines can only work when the temperature drops below -2 degrees Celsius.
Australia has a ski industry in the alpine regions of Victoria and New South Wales. Climate change is making winters less predictable and warmer. Snow seasons are getting shorter and less reliable each year. Resorts are investing heavily in snowmaking technology to stay open. Some people worry this is just a temporary fix for a bigger problem. The ski industry supports thousands of jobs and brings in tourism money.
Climate change is already affecting Australian winters and the sports people love. Snowmaking can only help so much if temperatures keep rising.