Where's the snow? Could 2026 be Australia's worst season?
SBS News
β’Sat, 5 Sep 2026 07:49:12 +0000
π° What Happened
Australia's 2026 ski season has become the shortest on record, with five resorts closing almost a month early as snow depth hit historic lows. Spencers Creek in the Snowy Mountains recorded just 31.2 centimetres on 3 September, an Australian record low, after a peak of 94.5cm on 13 August that was the third-lowest peak since 1954. Deep Creek and Three Mile Dam also recorded record-low depths, while Perisher will remain open despite the low snow.
π The Backstory
The unusually warm winter is believed to be the cause of the short season. Snow depths have been trending down for decades: from the 1950s to the 1970s the average depth in the first week of September was just over 180cm, compared with a 120cm average from 2020 to 2025. The same sites recorded record highs above 100cm or even 200cm in the 1950s-90s, a stark contrast with the 2026 figures.
π― Why It Matters
A record-short ski season is a clear, measurable signal of how warming winters are reshaping the Australian Alps, and it hits regional economies that depend on winter tourism. Resorts closing early also leave workers, gear retailers and mountain towns reeling at the busiest time of year. Anyone planning a spring ski trip should check resort status before travelling, and the data points to a long-term trend worth taking seriously.
Australia's 2026 ski season has become the shortest on record, with five resorts closing almost a month early as snow depth hit historic lows. Spencers Creek in the Snowy Mountains recorded just 31.2 centimetres on 3 September, an Australian record low, after a peak of 94.5cm on 13 August that was the third-lowest peak since 1954. Deep Creek and Three Mile Dam also recorded record-low depths, while Perisher will remain open despite the low snow.
The unusually warm winter is believed to be the cause of the short season. Snow depths have been trending down for decades: from the 1950s to the 1970s the average depth in the first week of September was just over 180cm, compared with a 120cm average from 2020 to 2025. The same sites recorded record highs above 100cm or even 200cm in the 1950s-90s, a stark contrast with the 2026 figures.
A record-short ski season is a clear, measurable signal of how warming winters are reshaping the Australian Alps, and it hits regional economies that depend on winter tourism. Resorts closing early also leave workers, gear retailers and mountain towns reeling at the busiest time of year. Anyone planning a spring ski trip should check resort status before travelling, and the data points to a long-term trend worth taking seriously.