Major Australian ski resort Perisher closes some lifts for season ‘ahead of schedule’ due to lack of snow

Perisher ski resort’s decision to close Blue Cow and Guthega areas comes as experts say the shortening of the snow season is being driven by climate change. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Perisher ski resort will stop operating lifts at two of its four areas on Sunday afternoon due to a lack of snow, signalling an early end to the season.

The decision to close Blue Cow and Guthega areas came as the Bureau of Meteorology confirmed the warmest winter since official records began in 1910, with average daily temperatures 1.53C above the long-term average.