Selwyn calls early end to 'challenging' ski season

The first of four ski resorts in the NSW alps has decided to call a wrap on winter, saying it has been one of the most challenging seasons in recent years due to the lack of snow.Last week's rain and warmer temperatures had reduced snow cover at Selwyn Snow Resort.General manager Abi Spackman said it was a "hard decision" to make. "We were hoping for more snow-making temperatures and more natural snow," she said."While we did have piles of snow that we were ready to push out, I think we were just too far gone."Abi Spackman said it had been a "hard season" at Selwyn. (Supplied: Selwyn Snow Resort)Selwyn closed with eight days of winter left, and two weeks earlier than the end of its 2025 season.It is not alone, with Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort in Victoria announcing it will wrap up operations on Monday. Traditionally, Perisher and Thredbo resorts in NSW aim to operate until the October long weekend, which is six weeks away. Charlotte Pass traditionally finishes operations in mid-September. The NSW alps experienced their warmest June in decades, which Ms Spackman said had an impact on the entire season."We were all hoping winter was just late, but I think it was a bad season, unfortunately," she said."I think we'll probably see a lot of people having to call it early."It was a hard season but our team have done amazing to work with the cards we were dealt with."Selwyn Snow Resort pictured on July 29. (Supplied: Selwyn Snow Resort)Forecast hopesResorts at Perisher, Thredbo and Charlotte Pass continue to operate, although the snow cover is significantly lower than 2025. Spencers Creek most recently recorded 90 centimetres of snow, in contrast to 158 centimetres recorded at the same time last year. Perisher remains busy with visitors this weekend. (Supplied: Perisher snow cams)The Thredbo-based editor of mountainwatch.com, Reggae Ellis, said the resorts that remain open were still busy with visitors.But a "warm" front forecast for Tuesday will likely bring more rain to the alps, and could impact snow cover if it is not followed up by cool temperatures. "Above 1700 metres, there's still a lot of natural snow cover," he said. "That [rain] will hit the lower snow pack, but probably won't do too much damage up high."Thredbo resort pictured on August 23. (Supplied: Reggae Ellis)Mr Ellis said snowmaking machines were helping maintain good cover, but temperatures needed to stay cool to keep runs operating.He said there was hope the resorts would try to stay open for spring season skiing, pending the forecast. "The El Nino is going to see things warm up in September, but just how warm, we don't know," he said."Spring skiing should be alright … it all depends on how much damage gets done on the top with this rain on Tuesday."Snow cover at the higher elevations at Thredbo resort. (Supplied: Reggae Ellis)