The traditional opening of the Australian snow season this long weekend is looking grim on the slopes, after snow that fell earlier this week was washed away by rain.

The good news is that a poor opening weekend means nothing for the quality of the season ahead, as there's often not much snow in early June. Indeed, some of the best Australian snow seasons have started with grassy slopes at this time of year.

Image: In 2010 and 2020, slow starts turned into good seasons, and the underlying climate drivers were not dissimilar to their current status in June 2024. Source: Snowy Hydro.

But for now, there will only be very limited sliding for first-time skiers and snowboarders on the remnants of snowmaking snow from last week's string of cold nights.

Image: Thredbo's Friday Flat beginner’s slope was looking all white last week before rain and drizzle intervened. They’ll still have carpets running for first-time snow riders. Source: Thredbo.com.au.

In NSW, both Perisher and Thredbo plan to run beginner's carpets which means a tiny slope of 50 or 100 metres in length with a carpet for uphill transport, which is a bit like a conveyor belt. No chairlifts will operate for skiing or boarding.

In Victoria, Mt Buller looks like it will open a chairlift on its Bourke St beginner's run thanks to the magic of what it calls its "snow factory".

Image: Not the widest run in the world but we expect they'll spread it out by Saturday. Source: Mtbuller.com.au.

The snow factory is different to traditional snowmaking.

• With snowmaking, a fine mist is blasted out into the cold night air from snow guns which then forms crystals and settles in a blanket just like snow.
• The snow factory manufactures an icy slush inside a rectangular structure that looks like a shipping container. The result looks like a lemonade slurpee from the service station and is then emptied out and spread out onto the slopes, where it has a consistency like slushy spring snow.  

Mt Baw Baw near Melbourne has also been stockpiling snow from its snow factory and even covering it with a tarp to protect against rain.

Image: They're selling lift passes for Saturday so we assume they’re going to spread this out and crank up the lift. Source: Mt Baw Baw.

Looking ahead, the good news is that the first serious snow of the season is due midweek, with totals of 20 to 40 cm possible across the high country of NSW, Victoria and Tasmania.

This being the long weekend, there is also plenty to do even without snow.

Thredbo is also debuting a new activity this weekend which is not dependant on snow. Called the "Thredbo Alpine Coaster", it’s a ride a little like a roller coaster at an amusement park, only you ride on individual carts and gravity does all the work.

As ever check our snow page for the latest conditions, forecasts and more during the season. It's now up and running and regularly updated.