We’ve recently just enjoyed a balmy October long weekend which, astonishingly, was once the date of the annual Perisher Cup – one of Australia’s oldest ski competitions (since 1953).

It’s hard to recall heavy snowfall in October these days but somebody who does remember is honorary life member of the Canberra Alpine Club (established 1934), Lyndall Hatch, who first skied at Perisher in 1964.

“The year 1964 may still be the biggest year on record,” Lyndall said. “There was a blackout in Perisher Valley caused by too much snow so those staying in lodges with only electric cooking visited other lodges with a fireplace or gas cooker for dinner.”

Australia’s oldest ski competition – the Balmain Cup (started in 1933 and still running) – was sometimes held at Mount Franklin in the Brindabellas. These days it’s held in Perisher in early September.

Since the 1960s, Lyndall’s husband, Hal, has measured the number of days with over one metre of snow each year. He then averaged that number for each decade since records were available. The graph descends markedly as the years go by.

“When I was first involved in the Perisher Cup (1979) it was always held on the October long weekend,’ Lyndall said. “It was moved earlier due to lack of reliable snow in October. So, in my lifetime, the snowline has certainly moved up the mountain and the season’s become shorter.”

Ski runs used to go right down to the original Kosciuszko Hotel site, which was built in 1908-09. Perisher Valley ski resort is now located 9km down the road.

Another long-time member of the Canberra Alpine Club is 89-year-old Judy Lejins, who started skiing in 1956 and has edited the Club’s magazine, Frozen Acres, for 19 years.

“At Mt Buller, the first year I skied in 1956, there was heavy snow; we had to park the cars four miles down the road from the village,” Judy said. “The snow remained until November.

“1960 again saw very heavy falls, 1964 was another year of heavy snow … but 1973 particularly and 1982, 1993 and 2006, the falls were quite light.”

Judy lived in the Snowy Mountains for 11 years from 1959, including in Cabramurra, then the highest town in Australia, where she had a ski run from the backyard that was floodlit for night skiing.

“I am concerned that climate change is going to increasingly affect the snow depths over the coming years, which is sad for our children and grandchildren,” she said. “This year is the worst year I can remember since 1973; the snowline is definitely receding.”

Judy acknowledges that snow seasons can be up and down, “but over time, the seasons seem to be getting shorter and warmer”.

“With the use of snow guns, the resorts have managed to keep their slopes open but retaining snow on the cross-country tracks has proved more difficult.”

The historic Canberra Alpine Club has 600 members, with a waiting list of 100. Lyndall and Judy are two of eight honorary life members. There are about 32 members who have been in the club for more than 50 years.

Club president, Caroline Walker, said she was concerned about the changing climate.

“While we are concerned about the decline in snowfall and shorter winters stemming from a warmer climate, we also recognise the increased efforts those running the resorts are putting into snowmaking and grooming to still deliver an amazing snowsports experience,” she said.

“We also think the mountains are a fantastic destination to visit all year. Bushwalking groups regularly stay in our lodges, including ones led by Judy, and many of our members also mountain bike. This year, the club is looking to promote a ‘walking week’ to encourage members who may typically only visit in winter.”

Up until recently, Judy would ski 30 to 40 days a year.

“I am slowing up these days, and find myself on the green runs rather than the blacks,” she said. “I think of myself not as a ‘beginner’ but as an ‘ender’.”

Perisher Ski Resort closed early this year (25 September) while lift operations at Blue Cow and Guthega areas closed even earlier, finishing on 4 September. Thredbo was forced to close its operations over the King’s holiday long weekend in June due to a lack of snow.

The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed this winter is the warmest since official records began in 1910, with average daily temperatures 1.53^oC above the long-term average.

For more information about the Canberra Alpine Club, visit www.cac.org.au

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