Australian ski resorts close early due to heat and El Niño

Major Australian alpine resorts are shutting their ski operations up to a month early after a winter that shattered multiple heat records and delivered scant snowfall. The season’s unprecedented temperatures, coupled with rain‑washed‑away snow, have left resorts with insufficient base depth to safely run lifts. Seven ski areas have already closed or announced that their lifts will cease operation this weekend, marking one of the most disruptive seasons in recent memory.

Meteorologists had warned in June that a developing El Niño, amplified by long‑term global warming, could produce a challenging ski season. Those predictions have materialised: the heat wave that broke record highs across the Snowy Mountains left the snowpack fragile, while sporadic rainstorms further eroded the limited accumulation. Resort operators cite the combination of high temperatures, low snowfall, and rapid melt as the primary reasons for the early shutdowns, which will likely shorten the season for visitors and impact local tourism revenue.

The early closures underscore the growing vulnerability of winter sports to climate variability. While some resorts are exploring snow‑making and alternative attractions, the current conditions suggest that the Australian ski industry will face a compressed season this year. Industry analysts expect that the combination of a strong El Niño and rising average temperatures will continue to challenge snow reliability in the coming months.