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Southern Hemi Hopeful As New Zealand, Africa See Early Snow

By J.D. O'Connor
May 29, 2006

"It's a little unusual to have an icy blast on the mountains quite so early on, especially when we had temperatures in the early 20s last week," said The Remarkables Ski Area Manager Hamish McCrostie. "We didn't see snow like this until a month later last year, so predictions for an early winter seem to be right. The longer term forecast indicates we'll hang onto this new snow and see more pretty soon - roll on opening day on June 24th!"

McCrostie's jubilation was overshadowed only by the New Zealander's neighbors at Mt. Dobson, in South Canterbury, which opened over the weekend after recent storms left 50cm of snow in the last two weeks. The first reported opening in the Southern Hemisphere this year, it is also Mt. Dobson's earliest open in nearly 30 years.

Fresh snow and June openings were also reported at The Remarkables, which checked in with more than 40cm of fresh powder, and at Coronet Peak, which reported 20cm of new fluff.

"It's pretty blustery and the snow is still falling up here," Coronet Peak Mountain Manager Russell Hall reported. "If the cold snap continues it will form a great base for what we're anticipating to be a super season."

Coronet Peak hopes to open June 10, Hall said.

In Australia, early snow has ski areas and skiers buzzing. Up to 30cms (12 inches) of snow has fallen at Hotham and neighboring Dinner Plain resorts as a sweeping pre-season blizzard blanketed the areas in dry, light powder.

Travel operators say bookings at Hotham Holidays are up by 60 percent compared to this time last year, with June and July holiday space almost sold out. Hotham will start spinning June 10.

The southern hemisphere's season normally kicks off first in Tiffindell resort, South Africa, and that resort has had a lot of early snow, with first guests arriving May 20. A harried resort operator said they've had five light to medium snowfalls since Easter, and we are looking forward to "lots more."

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	Lets hope the early snow in the S. Hemi continues and our friends "down under" have a super season. FYI..Southern Hemi snow reports will be featured again in OnTheSnow.com starting Monday, June 5th. Our year around snow producers are updating resort projected opening dates and other content. If you have any information to share, please send it to: snowproducers@mountainnews-REMOVE_THIS-.com
	Posted by: Rob Brown | May 30, 2006 08:36 AM