Author: The Frog

If you are ever thinking of a place to stay that is on snow, ski in ski out, close to lifts, close to transport, close to restaurants and bars as well as being very comfortable and accommodating then Perisher Manor is for you.

Warm temps and rain have been a ball and chain around the ankle of Season 2016 in Australia, but things are about to change (once the heavy rain from this afternoon and tomorrow moves away from the mountains.

Things couldn’t get much worse in the mountains as far as snow is concerned. Skiers and boarders alike have have been forced to sit back and wait for the first dump of the season. Their patience looks like being rewarded with good snowfalls on the horizon. Only real issue is that there is heavy rain on the way from another east coast low that should dampen things in the short term.

Queenstown’s officially firing on all cylinders for winter with the opening of alpine playground The Remarkables ski area on Saturday (June 18).

All four chairlifts at The Remarkables (Alta, Sugar Bowl, Shadow Basin and Curvey Basin) will start turning from 9am, whisking skiers and snowboarders onto the snow where excellent groomed trails and a choice of off-piste terrain await.

Canterbury’s Mt Hutt ski area is sorry to advise that its scheduled opening day for the 2016 winter season has been postponed until Saturday June 11.

The weather forecast for its original scheduled opening day (Friday June 10), is for high winds at the ski area.

Pete ‘The Frog’ Taylor looks at what snow we currently have in the resorts, what’s likely to happen between now and then, and he gives us a rundown on what he thinks will be running for opening weekend 2016 in each resort.

Canterbury’s Mt Hutt ski area is revelling in the white stuff – with a one-metre pre-season snow base being described as “the best in years”.

Two snowstorms in the past four days have delivered “wall-to-wall” snow across the mountain, leading ski area manager James McKenzie to declare that Mt Hutt is expected to open with all lifts operating on opening day (Friday June 10).

Only 11km from Perisher. Free parking and shuttle to lifts. Stay close to the snow without paying on-snow prices. Delicious

Skiing and snowboarding will return to the slopes of Corin Forest this winter, for the first time in 21 years. A 5000m 2 slope with a “magic carpet” ski lift will be run, offering ski and snowboard lessons. The additions will be a perfect environment for first timers and those wanting to brush up on their skills.