DON’T KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY
WHERE TO CHECK OUT THE SNOW THIS WEEKEND
GOOD snow falls during the week, the recording of Tasmania’s coldest day yet and the opening of the ski season at Ben Lomond will see the weather remain the topic of conversation this weekend.
The dump of snow in Tasmania’s North will allow Ben Lomond to kick off its ski season, but more coverage is needed at Mt Mawson before skiers and boarders can descend the slope safely.
Alpine Enterprises, which operates the lifts at Ben Lomond, said on Friday it was preparing to open the base lift on Saturday but more snow was needed to safely open the lift lines on Summit and Village.
More snow is forecast to fall across Tasmania’s higher peaks on Thursday, according to the latest Bureau of Meteorology forecast.
Bureau supervising meteorologist Simon Louis said the remnants of the cold air mass that brought snow to Launceston on Wednesday was hanging around.
“We are expecting cold temperatures again overnight into Saturday morning. The snow should stick around in higher parts but the roads will be icy," Mr Louis said.
Those looking to play in the snow should be able to find the white stuff at Cradle Mountain, on kunanyi/Mt Wellington, in the Central Highlands and Mt Field National Park.
On Friday, families galore went to The Springs on Mt Wellington for some winter fun.
Little Banjo Lambourn, 2, was delighted to play in snow again after his first experience in 2019.
“He just loves it. There were so many kids up here today. It was great to see so many families out enjoying the elements,” said his mum, Nadine Lambourn.
The Great Lake Hotel is expecting a busy weekend with the road now open for travellers.
“We have had a steady stream of people since Tuesday when it snowed, and are expecting a busy weekend,” a pub spokeswoman said.
At nearby Liawenee a record was broken on Friday morning when the temperate fell to -14.2C — the lowest recorded in Tasmania. In June 1983 it dropped to -13C at Tarraleah.
It meant the temperature in Tasmania’s Central Highlands was colder than at Casey Station in Antarctica which recorded a balmy -12C on Friday morning.
The kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus, which stopped running at the end of March, expects to be carrying visitors up the mountain from September 1.
The Mt Mawson Ski Patrol has decided it cannot start its ski season yet as hoped, but it would still be an “awesome weekend” for Tasmanian families to head up to Mt Field National Park for some snow play.
“While there is a good cover for snow play a close look at the [snow camera] image reveals that the top section of the slope is still showing a number of rocks and bushes,” the patrol’s social media post said.