Update Wednesday, June 4: Two bursts of cold weather are expected across southeastern Australia over the King's Birthday long weekend, meaning our ski fields are set to have fresh snow for the opening of the 2025 ski season.
A cool chill has begun creeping across Australia, reminding us that winter is almost here. While many Aussies are clinging to beach days and balmy nights, skiers and snowboarders are crossing their fingers for a ripper snow season in 2025. The past two winters have been pretty disappointing for snow enthusiasts, with warm temperatures delaying the start of the season and rainy weather forcing Australia's top ski resorts to shut earlier than usual. Of course, we can’t be certain what Mother Nature has in store for this year’s ski season, but here’s what the weather gods are predicting so far.
When is the snow season in Australia 2025?
This year's snow season will kick off on June 7 (the King's Birthday long weekend) and run until October 6. The first Aussie ski resorts set to open for the 2025 season on June 7 include Falls Creek, Mount Buller, Perisher and Thredbo, with the exact start and end dates varying between other resorts.
When is the best time to visit the snow in Australia?
Peak snowfall is forecasted for August and early September – you can read more about the exact week for each ski field here.
What will Australia's 2025 snow season be like?
As we've mentioned, snowfall is incredibly hard to predict. Currently, Weatherzone's forecast models are pointing to abnormally warm and dry conditions, which could mean a slow start to the snow season. However, conditions are expected to improve later in the season, with above-average precipitation likely from July. If those wet conditions coincide with freezing temperatures in the mountains, we could still see a solid blanket of snow as winter rolls on.
Two cold fronts are expected to sweep across southeastern Australia over the King's Birthday long weekend, meaning we should see snow falling in the mountains each day from Saturday, June 7 to Tuesday, June 10. You can check the latest updates on Weatherzone’s Snow and Ski Forecast page.
What's the deal with El Niño?
In April 2025, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) announced the end of this seasonal weather pattern, announcing the Pacific Ocean had returned to a neutral state. It’s forecasted to remain neutral until at least September, which is promising as it means we’re less likely to see the dry, warm weather typically associated with El Niño. In the past, neutral years have also delivered better snow depth than either El Niño or La Niña years. So that's a good sign.
How about the Indian Ocean Dipole?
Another player in the snow prediction game is the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), which you can think of as the difference in sea surface temperatures between the western and eastern Indian Ocean. IOD events typically peak during the Aussie winter, but they’re notoriously tricky to predict. As of May 1, the BOM predicts a neutral IOD until at least August. Unlike a positive IOD, which usually brings drier and warmer conditions to southeast Australia (bad for snow), or a negative IOD, which brings wetter and cooler conditions (better for snow), a neutral IOD means other climate drivers (yep, climate change) call the shots.
This part isn’t great news, especially with Australia bracing for one of its warmest winters yet. The BOM is forecasting higher-than-average temperatures from May to July, along with below-average rainfall across the alpine regions of Victoria and New South Wales. According to Weather Zone, “This may lead to lower natural snow accumulation leading up to the start of the season in June.” As a result, it’s looking like ski resorts will be relying heavily on man-made snow to kick off the 2025 season rather than fresh, natural powder.
However, things are expected to pick up later in the season, with above-average precipitation likely from July. If those wet conditions coincide with freezing temperatures in the mountains, we could still see a solid blanket of snow as winter rolls on.
Has there been any snow this year?
NSW's Snowy Mountains region received its first dusting of snow on May 1, sparking hope among resort operators that conditions could change. Mount Hotham and Falls Creek in Victoria also experienced their first pre-season snowfall on May 18, with temperatures dipping as low as -5 degrees.
If you can’t wait until winter, Corin Forest (Canberra’s closest alpine resort) has launched its pre-season ahead of schedule. Thanks to cutting-edge snowmaking technology, you can hit the slopes on a toboggan, build a snowman or start an epic snowball battle in this winter wonderland. Hopefully, it’s just a taster of the Aussie ski season to come!