2026 marks the hottest winter on record for the Australian Alps, with the highest mean temperatures on record for June to August across much of VIC, NSW, ACT, and TAS (Australian Bureau of Meteorology).
The 2026 snow season is shutting down early across the Australian Alps, with resort closures, businesses up for sale, and severe lack of snow. The snow season typically peaks in August and runs through late-September to October, but climate pollution from burning coal, oil and gas is driving higher temperatures and significant rain events that have greatly reduced snow cover, bringing an unusually early end to the season.
Mt Baw Baw (VIC) and Selwyn Snow Resort (NSW) both closed for the season last week. Selwyn cited a "challenging winter", temperature, and rain's "impact on our remaining snow cover" as the reasons for closure.
Mia 'Miff' Rennie, POW Athlete Alliance, Freeskier and Sports Commentator, notes the changes at Selwyn:
"I grew up skiing at Selwyn snowfields and remember having to dig our front doors out at Cabramurra. That's now a thing of the past. I have seen first hand how quickly our winters are changing and how quickly we need to respond so future generations can continue to experience the magic of winter that I grew up with."
Thredbo Alpine Resort was recently hit with a valuation drop of over 50% from $292 million to $143 million. The future economic uncertainty extends beyond the big resorts - alpine communities and small businesses are feeling the impacts of climate change and the hurt of shortened seasons. This season highlights the urgent need for government support and climate action to ensure alpine industries and regional economies can adapt to and survive a changing climate.
Coming off the back of Australia's most successful Winter Olympics, climate change is threatening the future of Australia's snowsports viability, success, and culture. With diminishing opportunities for training and competition in Australia, athletes are increasingly forced to chase snow opportunities overseas.
Jackson Harvey, POW Athlete Alliance Member, Moguls Skier and 2026 Olympian, acknowledges the hard working ski industry and decreased training opportunities in Australia due to climate change this season:
"The entire ski industry has worked exceptionally hard to give us as many skiable days as possible, and we're really lucky to have that support. That made a huge difference this season. Our national teams were able to train on world class snow facilities, but only for a very short time compared to a typical domestic season, which forces athletes to make challenging adjustments to seek other training opportunities. Our alpine communities are relying on us all to get our act together and make meaningful decisions that put our climate first."
2026 marks the 4th poor snow season since 2020, with record-breaking July temperatures across the Alps and precipitation falling as rain rather than snow. While coal, oil, and gas are melting our alpine future, the Albanese government has approved 36 new or expanded coal, oil, and gas projects since 2022 (Climate Council). The government must stop approving fossil fuel development projects and transition away from fossil fuels to protect the cultural, social, economic and environmental importance of our alpine regions.
Dr Lily O'Neill, POW Director, Climate Lawyer, Senior Research Fellow at Melbourne Climate Futures at the University of Melbourne, states the fossil fuel industry's role and the need for urgent government action:
"State and federal governments in Australia are operating a giant Ponzi scheme on regional Australia when it comes to climate change. They're still approving coal mines and gas wells, hoping we don't notice that same coal and gas is destroying our snow and alpine economies."
Snow cover has already decreased by 30 percent since the mid 1950s, and the ski season length has reduced by 17-28 percent across most alpine resorts (POW's 'Our Changing Snowscapes' Report). Australia is on track for a further 44-55 day reduction in the ski season by 2050.
Dr Andrew Watkins, POW Science Alliance Member, Adjunct Professor at Monash and National Climate Risk Assessment Lead Author, notes the generational snowpack changes and need to protect alpine regions:
"A metre of snow used to mean the season was just getting started, now a metre of snow is my daughter's idea of a great season. Big changes in a generation. There are many communities that rely upon the high country for their livelihoods. It's so important for a huge number of Australians that we protect this amazing place."
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