Tasmania’s snow season has been heavily impacted by record high temperatures this winter.
Ben Lomond Alpine Resort has experienced a particularly dry season with little snow on its slopes, something that is “quite unusual” for this time of year.
Managing Director Ben Mock said even with the disappointing period so far, there is hope that enough snowfall will arrive in the coming days to allow the resort to reopen before the end of the ski season.
“As soon as we get this nice bit of snow coming this week we should be able to reopen our lifts for the first time in almost a month,” Mock told Sky Newsday.
The resort has been open to skiers for 31 days this year, up from 20 days in 2022 and 17 days in 2021 – thanks to the use of new snow machines.
“Installing the snow making [machines] has dramatically increased our operating days but we having seen snow conditions like this for quite a while.”
Mock said the lack of snow has had a “massive impact” on their tourism and business revenue, making it difficult to keep staff.
“We’re all suffering, staff are suffering as well,” he said.
Despite other mainland resorts also facing similar challenges, Mock remains “quite optimistic” that good snowfalls are still to come.
“Anything can happen.”
Tasmania has experienced unseasonably warm temperatures this winter, with record-breaking minimum temperatures in Launceston and Hobart.
