They have spent close to $10 million expanding their snowmaking capacity, particularly at the big resorts in NSW.

Perisher, Australia’s biggest, has invested a further $5.7 million this season, capping off a three-year project worth $19 million. It has increased its coverage area by a quarter to 54 hectares, and added 68 automated snow guns to bring its snow artillery firepower to 271 guns.

Meanwhile, Thredbo has invested a further $2 million in snowmaking in the fourth stage of an $8 million expansion. It has the largest snowmaking capacity in the southern hemisphere with over 70 hectares covered.

Projected output this winter is over 600,000 cubic metres of snow, which equates to covering 60 football fields in one metre of snow.

That’s more than three times the amount over the days before automation.

The largest development in the Australian Alps this winter, however, is off the slopes - the $50 million Quay West Resort & Spa development at Falls Creek in Victoria.

Designed to resemble the wings of the Bogong moth, St Falls will become the new heart of the village.

Stage one opens this season, including luxury apartments, a five-star restaurant, cafe, bar, day spa, conference facility and gym.

Falls Creek has also added to its snow groomer fleet, and to go with it has developed a “Boomers on Groomers” program tailored for those 50 years and older who want to improve their technique.

Direct flights from Sydney to Hotham are back from July 3.

And in an Australian first, Falls Creek, Mt Hotham and Perisher are selling Super Passes offering unlimited access to all three resorts.

”Industry figures show fewer Australians took overseas ski holidays this last northern winter, so there’s pent up demand for snow and the Super Passes will be very attractive for these keen skiers and riders,” said Hotham general manager Belinda Trembath.

”There’s 75 lifts and 2,015 hectares of terrain across some of Australia’s best resorts”, said Falls Creek general manager Michael Callahan. “This is an epic offer”.

In NSW, Mt Selwyn is describing its new triple chair as its most exciting development ever.

The new Township chair at the small learners’ field will replace the original Township duplex T-bars.

It will mean shorter wait time in queues, less snow wasted maintaining T-bar lift tracks, and is expected to result in an earlier season opening and a later close.

Charlotte Pass has frozen lift tickets at 2008 prices, and is offering a free day’s skiing in resort packages.

A ski instructor training course will make its debut in Thredbo, designed to open up a career in teaching.

Perisher Blue, which has dropped its “Blue” and is now simply Perisher, also has a new ski conveyor for kids on Front Valley.

Almost all resorts are offering early bird and spring skiing deals.

The spring promotion at Victoria’s Mt Buller offers half-price lift tickets as well as half-price accommodation at participating properties. Buller has also invested $2 million to upgrade some of its most popular lifts.