Victorians have woken to snow this morning as a cold blast brings below-zero temperatures to the state’s alpine peaks.
At Mt Baw Baw in the state’s east, 15 centimetres of snow fell overnight, turning the village white.
“It looks like an amazing, beautiful white wonderland,” resort spokeswoman Sally Brook said.
The early snowfall has given hope to resort managers just a month out from the ski season opening on the June long weekend.
“The ground getting cold is exactly what we needed leading into the King’s birthday,” Ms Brook said.
“The weather was sort of looking warm, and we all started to get a bit edgy, but this weather is exactly what we need.”
Ms Brook said anyone planning to visit Mt Baw Baw today would need to fit chains on their wheels due to the icy conditions.
Motorists are being advised to take extra care on icy roads this morning. (Supplied)
“The road is quite treacherous at the moment, so please, please get some chains if you’re coming up.”
Mount Buller resort spokesperson Rhylla Morgan said there had been at least 7cm on the ground, and snow was still falling as “fat flakes”.
“There’s definitely a whiff of Antarctica about it,” Ms Morgan said.
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Kate Doyle said today’s cold weather meant that snow had fallen “down to some pretty impressive locations”.
“Particularly on the snow cam at Mount Buller, there’s quite a lot of snow at the village square there,” Ms Doyle said.
“Certainly, a cold change has made its way through. We are expecting a bit of follow-up, particularly wind through the region, as we continue to see that [cold front] making its way through the next few days.”
Falls Creek Alpine Resort staff testing the snowguns. (Supplied: Vail Resorts)
At Falls Creek, overnight temperatures dipped to -5.4C signalling the countdown to the winter snow season.
“Having the snow guns firing up is an exciting milestone, giving our team the chance to fine-tune systems and get everything dialled in ahead of the season,” resort marketing manager Sarah Gamon said.
A snow-cam image of the Summit ski run at Mount Hotham this morning. (Supplied: Hotham Alpine Resort)
Mount Hotham Chamber of Commerce president Steve Belli said while getting some snow this time of year was not unheard of, it stirred interest and got people excited for the snow season ahead.
“Everyone loves to see photos of the snow; it’s a good thing,” Mr Belli said.
“The bookings are looking reasonably strong, all the staff are in the process of being finalised now … the place is buzzing in terms of getting ready for opening weekend.
“It’s looking like it’s going to be a really good season.”May snow not unusual
At Wulgulmerang, in the state’s far east, cattle farmer Gordon Moon told ABC Gippsland snow was stuck to the top of the trees when he woke up this morning.
Snow has fallen at Wulgulmerang in East Gippsland this morning. (Supplied)
Mr Moon said snow was not unusual in the area, which is more than 1,050 metres above sea level.
“You come up through Buchan, W Tree, Gelantipy, and Wulgulmerang is at the top of the hill before you drop down going towards Jindabyne,” he said.
“I’ve seen snow nearly every month of the year here, and my mother has seen it every month of the year up here.”