Australia/New Zealand Ski Resorts 2024 Opening Dates

Perisher, located in Kosciuszko National Park, and Australia's largest ski resort, is scheduled to open on June 8th with a projected closing date of October 7th, for the 2024 winter season. Perisher is on the Australian Epic Pass. 

Thredbo, located in New South Wales, is also scheduled to open June 8th, and they are hosting a variety of opening weekend festivities including the debut of the Alpine Coaster, live music, face painting, an ice sculptor, and the Blessing of the Snow. 

The Blessing of the Snow is a long-held tradition where Thredbo Ski Patrol, local church leaders and the the community gather in the Thredbo Chapel to wish everyone a safe, happy and prosperous season.

Falls Creek, Victoria's largest alpine resort, is opening June 8th this year. Falls Creek is also on the Australian Epic Pass. It's a family-oriented resort with lake views and 27 bars and restaurants for a variety of options to choose from après ski. 

Falls Creek announced "less than three weeks" until their opening with a video of snowmaking posted to Instagram. Watch below. 

Mt. Buller, just a three-hour drive from Melbourne, is also opening June 8th, and their King's Birthday Weekend has a full lineup of fun events. The long weekend includes activities such as face painting, s'mores making, live music, and fireworks... and skiing, of course!

Mount Hotham, in the Victorian Alps of the Great Dividing Range in Victoria, is scheduled to open June 8th, as well. Their projected closing date is October 6th. 

In New Zealand, Whakapapa – Mt. Ruapehu is scheduled to open on July 6th, with a projected closing date of October 13th. Happy Valley opens June 22nd, with a projected closing date of September 29th. 

Mt. Ruapehu was recently the location of financial news, as the resort was looking for a buyer earlier this year. Read below. 

Cardrona, in the Cardrona Valley on New Zealand’s South Island, is tentatively set to open on June 15th. The ski area was founded in 1980 and sometimes offers half day passes, depending on the resort's capacity. 

Mount Hutt, to the west of the Canterbury Plains in the South Island of New Zealand, is scheduled to open on June 14th. Weekend first tracks begin on July 6th. 

Coronet Peak, in Queenstown, is scheduled to open on June 15th, with first tracks beginning on July 1st. 

Tūroa Ski Field – Mt. Ruapehu, a wide-open feeling resort located on New Zealand's North Island, boasts the highest point and largest vertical descent in New Zealand. The ski area is set to open July 6th. 

There are a lot of options as winter begins on the opposite side of the globe from us here in America. Those of us who won't be traveling will surely be watching as clips start rolling in.