Winter is coming: Scientists, forecaster, tourism operator and local voices available for comment
Climate Media Centre
The snow season will officially kick off on Saturday 7 June. The last two winters were the warmest on record for Australia, leading to tough conditions for alpine communities.
Many are hoping for better conditions this year, but the Bureau of Meteorology long-range forecast is looking less than favourable. A warmer than average June to August could mean a difficult start to the season and predicting snowfall is a difficult task. This year’s ski season may rely on better conditions later in the ski season.
The ski tourism industry is footing the bill of rising temperatures, caused by the burning of coal, oil and gas. The following small businesses, scientists and alpine enthusiasts who are closely tracking the forecast are available for comment in the lead up to Australia’s ski season officially starting.
EXPERTS
Dr Lily O'Neill is a Director of Protect our Winters Australia, and a legal researcher at Melbourne Climate Futures, the University of Melbourne. Lily can speak about why Australia's environmental laws do not protect the climate, and what Australia needs to do legally to protect our snow. Lily lives in the Victorian mountains, is a mum of two small, snow-mad kids, and a presenter on Climate Kids, including this episode where kids ask about the future of snow in Australia. Location: Melbourne, VIC (Naarm).
Sam Beaver, policy lead at Protect Our Winters, and Research Officer at ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions, can speak about how the conditions of the past two snow seasons will become more frequent without stronger action on climate. He can speak to the solutions and policy asks Protect Our Winters is advocating for to help protect the future of the Australian snow season by reducing climate pollution, and importantly, helping communities adapt to changes that are already occurring. Having grown up skiing, starting his career in outdoor education, and living across multiple alpine regions, Sam has a strong personal connection to the Australian Alps. Location: Canberra (Ngunnawal Country).
Professor David Karoly, climate scientist, Professor David Karoly is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Melbourne and an internationally recognised expert on climate change science and variability. He has played a leading role in multiple Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessments and has advised the Australian Government on climate policy. He's also a keen skier. Location: Melbourne, VIC (Naarm).
Ruby Olsson, researcher ANU and lead author of ‘Our Changing Snowscapes’, Ruby can talk about how we can prepare for and respond to changes happening in the Australian Alps, for communities, businesses and the environment, and how decision-makers can best involve the community in conversations about the future of national parks and protected areas. Location: Canberra, ACT (Ngunnawal Country).
CASE STUDIES
Glen Clark, business owner Traverse Hotham said: “Our alpine areas are the canary in the coal mine - we rely entirely on natural snowfall which really makes you notice the rising snowline, reduced snow depth and shorter seasons. To me it's unbelievable our governments are still approving massive fossil fuel projects jeopardizing not just our beautiful alpine environment, but also livelihoods and communities. We're teetering on the edge of viability after two very tough years and if we don't get a good season this time we might have to walk away.” Location: Mount Hotham, Vic Alps.
Tyson Millar is an independent alpine weather communicator and science commentator with over two decades of experience interpreting and explaining complex climate and weather patterns across Australia’s fragile alpine environment. Through The SnowStack, he delivers evidence-based insights into alpine and sub-alpine weather dynamics, drawing on reanalysis data, seasonal outlooks, and key climate drivers such as ENSO, the Southern Annular Mode, and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). Currently studying a Bachelor of Science in Earth Science, Tyson combines academic training with practical field experience as a backcountry enthusiast. His focus on marginal snowpacks and climate variability supports broader public understanding of Australia’s rapidly warming alpine regions. Location: Otford, NSW, (Dharawal land).
Stephan Kashkarov, student, has been skiing in the Australian Alps since being introduced to it during school camps back in 2014 and helped manage the ANU Snowsports club through 2022-2024. He's planning on doing a number of back country trips in the Australian alps. As a young person, Stephan can offer a perspective on why it's important to him to safeguard the future of the ski season for future generations by taking action on climate change. Location: Canberra, ACT (Ngunnawal Country).
Contact details:
Jemimah Taylor
0478 924 425