Australia's Mount Hotham To End Ski Season Weeks Early
While South America’s ski season has been downright epic, not all of the Southern Hemisphere has been so lucky.
In particular, Australia’s Mount Hotham has had a tough go, reminiscent of the season that many Northern Hemisphere ski areas had last winter.
As a result, the ski area has decided to end its 2026 winter season early, with the last day of lift operations taking place on Sunday, September 6, 2026. According to a social media post, Mt. Hotham’s teams have been working hard to keep the mountain open, but ultimately Mother Nature has the final say.
Mount Hotham intended to remain open until October 4, 2026. It joins Mt. Baw Baw and Selwyn in closing early this winter.
You can watch the full video here.
In total, the mountain has received only 160cm (62 inches) of snow this year and sits on a 10cm (3-inch) base. With an average annual snowfall of 300cm, the ski area has only just received half its normal snowpack.
Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology also reported the highest mean temperature on record for the Australian Alps from June through August 2026, and several of the country’s states have reported record-high temperatures throughout winter.
Elsewhere in Australia, Thredbo is still open, although with some limited terrain and lift access, including a section of the resort where downloading is required.
Recent reports also show that Thredbo’s valuation has dropped by nearly half due to unfavorable conditions and the need for updated mountain infrastructure. Perisher is also currently open, with a season total of 62cm (24 inches) of snow reported.
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