Australia’s premier alpine resorts of Perisher, Falls Creek and Hotham are gearing up to welcome guests for the 2026 snow season this weekend, with timely early-season snowfall and snowmaking efforts helping build momentum ahead of opening day tomorrow, Saturday 6 June.
With fresh snow already falling across the Australian Alps and snow guns firing whenever conditions allow, skiing and boarding options are available at all resorts. Adding to the excitement is Australia’s best-ever Winter Olympics campaign at Milano Cortina earlier in the year, giving the local snow industry an extra boost of energy heading into winter.
What to expect over Opening Weekend:
To celebrate the season opening, resorts are offering $99 adult lift tickets and lessons for just $1 as a special add-on.
Perisher Opening Weekend Operations:
- The Front Valley conveyer carpet lift will be open, as well as a hike park and snowplay options
- PEAK Music Festival: 20+ acts across three days and ten venues, including a headline performance by Australian Idol winner Kesha Neve, all for free for guests.
- Food and beverage outlets will be open, including Jax Bar, Skirock, and Base Grind.
- Retail stores will be open for new season gear.
- There is a free shuttle bus between Perisher and Smiggins.
- For full event details: Perisher Events
Falls Creek
- Perfect for those looking to enjoy their first turns of the season, Mouse Trap carpet will provide guests with the opportunity to get back on snow and kick off winter at Falls Creek. Halley’s Comet chairlift will be operating for chairlift rides providing access to Mouse Trap carpet and Cloud 9 Restaurant for lunch, drinks and spectacular alpine views.
- Opening Weekend Festival: Saturday includes free guided alpine art walk, unveiling of the Flower of the Alpine Sun public artwork. Art, culture, and community celebrations at Cloud 9, fire twirlers, and fireworks in the Village Bowl. Sunday includes the Falls Creek Legends Lunch at Frying Pan Inn.
- Retail stores open with new season gear, including special offers for Epic Australia Pass holders.
- For more: Falls Creek Opening Weekend Festival
Hotham
- The Summit Trainer Carpet will be running for skiing and boarding
- Welcome to Winter Weekend: Special Cheese Extravaganza Lunches, Trivia Night, live DJs, and music throughout the village.
- Hotham Central activations, firepits, hot chocolate, and marshmallows at the base of Big D.
- The Hotham Hub at Wire Plain will open for snow play and tobogganing, subject to conditions.
- The Bird Café and Bar will be open, with a refreshed menu and signature waffles.
- For the full schedule: Hotham Events
Spokespeople Quotes
“We’re thrilled to welcome guests back to Perisher and to share the excitement of opening weekend at Australia’s largest ski resort, which has plenty of room for guests to discover their special mountain moments,” said Nathan Butterworth, Vice President and General Manager of Perisher Ski Resort. “After fresh snowfall in the week, strong snowmaking conditions and our teams working tirelessly to prepare the mountain, we’re stoked to have skiing and boarding back at Perisher for opening weekend. Excitement is at an all-time high thanks to the incredible inspiration from our winter Olympians’ success earlier in the year.”
“We’re thrilled to have skiing and boarding for opening day. Our team has worked incredibly hard to bring the mountain to life for opening weekend with celebrations and events, and we’re so proud of what we’ve achieved together with our community partners,” said Richard Phillips, Vice President and General Manager of Falls Creek and Hotham. “There’s a very special community spirit running through opening weekends at our resorts. At Falls Creek, it’s a true celebration of art and nature, as well as the start to the ski and ride season, and at Hotham the Trivia night is a fantastic event for locals, staff and guests to see who lives and breathes our Hotham for Life catchphrase.”
