Skiers and boarders have kicked off the 2021 snow season with a modest first weekend at Perisher, enjoying mostly sunny conditions, light winds, and with an expected top temperature of 4 degrees.
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The country's largest ski resort nestled in the Snowy Mountains officially opened early for skiing and snowboarding on Friday, one week before its traditional opening on the June long weekend.
However, winter's early arrival and sub-zero temperatures throughout May made it possible to rev up the snowguns.
Overnight temperatures as low as -10 degrees allowed the resort to run 159 snowguns across three areas of the park, topping up Friday's natural snowfall.
Front Valley and the Village Eight Express were open, along with the resort's Tom Thumb beginner area and Slope Style park.
Typical opening weekend events will kick off on June 12 including Saturday night fireworks and night skiing and boarding, snowsports school lessons and entertainment for the little ones with Dan Druff the Clown.
With continuing public health requirements, visitors are being encouraged to wear face coverings and physically distance while at the resort.
Visitors should expect to purchase products on-line and in advance and use QR check-in codes at indoor venues.
Last year's social distancing requirements nearly halved the numbers on the mountain, and visitors had to pre-purchase tickets.
"We are so pleased with the opportunity to open Perisher early for the 2021 snow season, especially given the late start last season," said Pete Brulisauer from Perisher operator Vail Resorts.
"For skiers and boarders who were unable to make it last year, there is tremendous enthusiasm to get back to the snowy mountains this winter, with Front Valley now open for skiing and boarding with the Village Eight Express."
Perisher is adding a new Leitwolf grooming machine to its fleet for 2021, creating a wider grooming pass leading to smoother groomed runs for skiers and boarders.
Since last year's season the resort has also completed the installation of snowmaking on the Chute ski run in Perisher Valley, connecting the Village Eight Express chair on Front Valley to Pretty Valley double and Interceptor quad chairs.
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Harley Dennett
Former federal politics bureau chief for the Canberra Times, via a career that's taken me from rural Victoria to Washington DC. Telling the stories of my local LGBTI community brought me to political journalism, where I've covered eight budgets, four national elections in two countries, Defence, public service and international governance.
Former federal politics bureau chief for the Canberra Times, via a career that's taken me from rural Victoria to Washington DC. Telling the stories of my local LGBTI community brought me to political journalism, where I've covered eight budgets, four national elections in two countries, Defence, public service and international governance.
