News from the Australian Alps
During winter those who are active need to prepare for the cold conditions or risk injuries, warns Sports Medicine Australia.
Hospital data shows an increase of more than 30 per cent for sporting injuries during winter months.
Exercising or playing sport in cold conditions can lead to injuries such as sprains, strains and blisters and in extreme cold conditions snow blindness, frostbite and hypothermia can occur. More »
It’s official. Men worry more than women about driving in snowy weather, however women are more uneasy driving in the rain.
The revelations, contained in a Beaurepaires-commissioned Newspoll of 1206 Australians of driving age, come as a cold snap hit much of southern Australia last week, bringing a chilly start to winter, along with rain, hail and snow to snowfields and surrounding districts.
Among the findings of the national study: More »
Snow continues to fall at Mt Baw Baw today and a 30cm base has covered the resort.
Mt Baw Baw had a number of delighted tobogganers, sightseers and snow-throwers taking advantage of the first snowfall.
“It’s great to have this much snow falling so early in the season”,” said Leona Turra, CEO for Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort Management Board. More »
The cold front that has had everyone shivering across Victoria continues to dump more beautiful powdery snow onto the slopes here at Mt Buller.
25cm fell overnight bringing the average snowdepth around the mountain to 56cms and the steady sub-sero temperatures are delighting the snowmakers who have their guns blazing on all the major runs ahead of plans to open for the weekend.
“The cold temperatures are ideal for snowmaking and it’s great to have our snowguns working overtime across the resort building a consistent base for the season ahead,” said Buller Ski Lifts general ganager Laurie Blampied. More »
Snowfalls have continued in the Victorian Alps today and more lifts will be opening this weekend, including Village chairlift, Heavenly Valley, at Mt Hotham.
There are super deals for this weekend only to get people started on the slopes.
For only $69 (adult) or $49 (child) skiers will receive a one-day lift pass, two-hour group lesson, equipment hire, lunch at Swindlers and free resort entry. More »
Falls Creek Alpine Resort plans to open a number of its ski lifts, including the very popular Falls Express, Towers and Drovers chairlifts this Friday.
It also plans to open Mousetrap (the only covered lift of its kind in Australia) and the Snowsports School Kids Carpet, which is ideal for young children who are having an introduction to the magical world of snow-covered slopes.
The Gully Chairlift, which provides hassle-free access to the Village Bowl, will also operate and it’s free. More »
Snowfalls continued today at Mount Hotham.
Tomorrow the Summit Quad Chair will open and on Thursday The Big D will see its first skiers and riders hitting the slopes.
For the coming weekend there will be five lifts opening including Road Runner and Upper Playground. The Village loop conditions will be assessed for opening also.
By 7.30pm tonight the resort was expected to reach the 24-hour mark for a straight run of snowmaking and at 4pm had produced 5300 cubic metres of snow, that’s 530 truckloads! More »
Water inflows into Snowy Scheme storages for April and May, while slightly improved from the previous three months, were still below average, Snowy Hydro said today.
“Overall, our water position for the year remains well below average and storages continue to be at very
low levels as a result of the major drought that continues to impact the region,” the company said in a statement.
“The current water levels in Lake Jindabyne will not have any affect on town water supplies or environmental releases into the Snowy River and are now expected to stabilise at around their current level. More »
Visitors to Victoria’s north east can take advantage of a new winter bus link operating between Wangaratta and Bairnsdale along the Great Alpine Road.
Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky today announced the new Winter Alps Bus Link service would start tomorrow and run until October 4, providing public transport in the region for the first time.
“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to draw tourists to our fantastic alpine region and the Winter Alps Bus Link service will provide a public transport connection that links the regional towns of Wangaratta, Bright, Omeo and Bairnsdale along the Great Alpine Road,” Ms Kosky said. More »
Perisher was the only Australian ski resort to have lifts operating on the Queen’s Birthday holiday Monday.
This followed 21cm of fresh snow settled in the village overnight and across Perisher’s four mountain areas, allowing top to bottom skiing and snowboarding on Front Valley for Monday, the final day of the opening weekend celebrations and Snowy Mountains of Music (SMOM) festival.
Light snow flurries began to settle in the resort throughout Sunday and as the mercury levels continued to drop overnight, Perisher’s Mountain Operations Department fired up 95 snow guns across parts of Perisher Valley and Blue Cow Mountain adding to the growing base. More »