Dry run: Australia’s ski season kicks off without snow and El Niño may be to blame

Despite several cold snaps in May that brought early dustings of snow, a warmer start to winter has meant most of that has now melted

• Bureau of Meteorology puts Australia on ‘El Niño alert’
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Australia’s ski season will start with no skiing, no snowboarding, no snow – and a drying El Niño may be to blame.

Due to a “lack of snow,” Thredbo Resort has closed its mountain to skiing and snowboarding this long weekend, a spokesperson said – just as it kicks off its official winter season.