Snow keeps skiers busy all over the world

31st May 2019, by Abi Butcher

A skier enjoys the fresh powder yesterday in Perisher, New South Wales

Extraordinary weather conditions are prevailing this month, as ski resorts in the southern hemisphere open early and others in the northern hemisphere continue skiing well into the summer.

As the UK prepares itself for record temperatures for the beginning of June, the Refugio Toni Demetz Hütte in Italy’s South Tyrol was busy digging itself out of a snow hole following late May snowfall.

Digging out an Italian refuge. Pic: facebook.com/refugiotonidemetzhütte

Over in the US, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area has extended its season closing time and again — the latest date published this week is 21-23 June, but it keeps on snowing at altitude in Colorado so this may be delayed again. Nearby Breckenridge is also still open, with a likely closing date of 9 June — but again, it’s a moveable feast (for skiers and snowboarders).

And in California, Mammoth Lakes has announced it will close in August following a record-breaking snowfall during May. The resort has only ever closed in August twice before — 13 August 1995 and 6 August 2017 — but after receiving 73cm of snow this month, with more on the way, Mammoth is hedging its bets as to when in August it will actually closed.

In Australia, the New South Wales ski resort of Perisher opened yesterday, following more than 75cm of snowfall over the past four days. There’s another 10-20cm due on Sunday giving brilliant conditions for the start of the season.

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