FOREWORD This photo of Mt Buller was taken on June 11th, 2022, the first day of last season, a winter that kicked off with a bang, two strong storms dropping more than a metre of snow in the fortnight leading into the long weekend. The result was the best “official opening weekend” in years, with all resorts rolling multiple lifts accessing plenty of terrain on June 11th; pretty well the best start to a season since 2000. After the Covid disruptions and lockdowns of 2020 and 2021 and overseas travel restrictions it was the start we needed, anticipation was high and as
a consistent season unfolded, Australian skiers and snowboarders flocked to the mountains. As usual for Australia, last winter season delivered a bit of everything with some good winter storms, quite a few 10-15cms top ups but also a massive rain event in early August that dropped 175mm of rain over a three-day period. While mild temps kept the snowline hovering between 1500-1600m, higher elevations held a good snowpack well into October. Snowy Hydro’s reading at Spencer’s Creek (1830m) sat at 166.2cms on October 5th after reaching a season peak of 232cms on September 20th.
There were plenty of good days last winter with a handful of really good powder days, one of which was on the Saturday of the June long weekend. Like anything that relies on nature, skiing is unpredictable. It pays to be flexible and grab the opportunities while they are there and when it comes to snow, luck plays a big part! The content in this issue reflects this; be it enjoying dry powder during a late September tour of the Main Range, turning up in Japan to catch a cold storm cycle after a lengthy dry spell or scoring powder days at each destination during a Colorado road trip.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, work, ski & adventure. We pay respects to elders, past, present, and emerging. Sovereignty was never ceded.
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