After heavy snowfall this past week, the winter snow season opened for Perisher today on June 3.
You only have to take one look at the mountain and realise it is one of the best starts to a season we have had in recent seasons. There is snow as far as the eye can see and Perisher today opened over a week early with the Front Valley slope in action for the 2022 snow season.
People were casting their minds back to previous great starts, the year 2000 a memorable one. In that year on June 1 there was a 73.6cm base. The Snowy Hydro reading is not out this year yet, but it wont be far off that mark, if not in front.
But either way, no one really cares about a few centimetres here and there, especially with forecasts for upwards of another 50-80cm from Saturday until mid next week.
Perisher's new general manager Belinda Trembath, who has seen many great starts in her time in the industry is welcoming the great snow after her move during the summer from Hotham. Speaking with Snowy Mountains Magazine prior to the Village Eight lift loading passengers today, Belinda said the season is certainly off to a great start.
"It is a dream start and I do keep pinching myself that we're off to such a great start," said Belinda.
"I am so thrilled after the last two years that our employees, our guests and the community can all benefit from what looks like to be one for the (record) books."
With more big snow forecast starting on the weekend, it was suggested that potentially that we could have a mid season base by the June long weekend. We asked what potential lifts could be open for next weekend considering there were snow cats grooming from mid station on the quad back down through Goat's Gully.
"The focus here is always to build the resort out from Front Valley and the team are working hard this coming weekend. We will focus skiing on Front Valley, and we already have a terrain park, which is fantastic. There's going to be a lot of work going on in the background to prepare terrain for the long weekend. We'll look at working our way out and we are very very keen to make sure we've got a lot of terrain open because we know we are going to have very busy weekend with people who haven't skied much in the last couple years keen to get their boots back on and their boards and skis on."
There was a small crowd today as word filtered out the lifts would run from midday, with more folks trickling in as the afternoon evolved. By all accounts the snow was good and everyone was excited at not only the early opening, but the base that is currently there now and the potential it provides for a bumper season.
Looking across to Mt Perisher the cover looked great, and with grooming and mountain operations well underway pushing snow and building runs, it will be interesting to see this season progress rapidly over the coming weeks.
Seventy year old Bill Jackson from Jindabyne has seen a few snow seasons in his day and last season skied 80 days. He was there today with the regular crowd including Perisher favourite Normo. Bill said the season was off to the best start and the snow was a little firmer than he thought.
"It's looking exceptional, fantastic and great to be back on the boards. Loads of snow, unbelievable and the photos of the Main Range, just sensational," said Bill.
Perisher will have the Front Valley slope open this weekend including a terrain park. And with more snow on the way people should book ahead and plan their holiday now as most of the accommodation is already full for July and August, but June may just be one of the best months once more lifts start spinning.
During the June long weekend Perisher also have the Peak Festival for loads of free music in what is a non ticketed event this year. The weekend is shaping up as one of the best in decades and sure to attract a good following of snow enthusiasts.
Were you on Front Valley today, then scroll through the photo gallery to see if we caught you in action.
