Australia’s 2026 ski season got started today, with most of the country’s larger resorts opening for 2026.
There have been low temperatures and up to 35cm of snowfall in the past week, but skies have now cleared, allowing a sunny start to the season. Most areas just have beginner slopes and, in some cases, small terrain park areas open initially.
“It’s great to see skiers and boarders back on the slopes up at Hotham, enjoying the Welcome to Winter festivities this weekend!” said Alex Pankiw, Hotham ski resort’s Brand + Experience Manager, who added, “We’re looking forward to another ripper snow season.”
Perisher 6 June 2026
Australia is the first southern hemisphere ski nation to fully open for the 2026 season, although one area in New Zealand opened for a weekend in early May after a big snowfall, and several Kiwi centres opened last weekend using all-weather snowmaking machines.
The start of the southern hemisphere winter means resorts in Australia, New Zealand, the Andes and southern Africa are now beginning to come online, with June traditionally the month when the season gets properly underway below the equator. For those looking at where lifts are turning this month, our guide to where to ski or board in June has more on the options currently available.
The first resorts in the Andes are expected to open next weekend, and Southern Africa’s Afriski in Lesotho says it is targeting 12 June for its 2026 season start.
Australia is the first southern hemisphere ski nations to fully open for the 2026 season although one area in New Zealand opened for a weekend in early May after a big snowfall then and several kiwi centres opened last weekend using all-weather snowmaking machines.
The first resorts in the Andes are expected to open next weekend and Southern Africa’s Afriski in Lesotho says its targeting 12 June for its 2026 season start.