It's the most prolonged icy period that locals and ski patrollers can recall.

That's the unfortunate insider info from the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales this week, where the snowpack has set rock-hard due to an unusual combination of weather influences.

Any snow goer knows that the snow surface will turn from soft to icy if a freeze/thaw cycle sets in, or if slopes are heavily compacted by skiers and snow boarders over several days or longer without a top-up of fresh snow.

But conditions across the Australian are more than just a little bit icy right now. The entire snowpack is bulletproof, with ice formations clinging to trees and other structures like a weird, ghostly growth.

Image: The icicles on these trees actually jingle in the breeze Source: Supplied to Weatherzone by mountain local "Steve".

See that frost-encrusted snow gum in the image above? That's "rime" on the branches – ice which forms on cold objects due to the rapid freezing of water vapour in cloud or fog.

What happened in the mountains at the start of this week – especially in NSW – is that it wasn't especially cold. Then the rain, which we all know has caused floods along the coast (and also in parts of the Central West), penetrated just far enough inland in the state's far south to shroud the mountains in a drizzly fog with temps right on about zero.

The moisture coated solid objects in rime, and it also dampened the snow surface. When clear, still conditions returned to the mountains allowing very cold overnight temps (Perisher's last three nights have all been below -5°C), the snowpack froze solid.

Image: You could race a luge on that surface on Mt Perisher. Supplied to Weatherzone by mountain local "Steve".

These conditions have now been the norm for several days, leaving skiers and boarders eyeing the weather charts desperately in hope of new snow to soften things up. Fortunately, a little new snow is on the way on Friday and Saturday, with a slightly heavier burst likely to arrive on Tuesday.

Please check the latest on our snow page.

As for the current ski conditions: Should I go to the snow this weekend?

As mentioned above, a small amount of snow is due Friday into Saturday, and with a decent base still in place thanks to those heavy early June snowfalls, it's probably still worth a visit. Winds shouldn't be too strong and you'll definitely get an enjoyable turn or two in if you stick to the groomed slopes.

Here’s our quick whip around of the resorts:

Image: The chairs are extra heavy right now. Supplied to Weatherzone by mountain local "Steve".

VICTORIA

Mt Hotham has 10 of its 12 lifts spinning with some runs closed due to the icy conditions. More info here.

Mt Buller has 17 of 20 lifts operational, but again, icy conditions exist. More info here.

Australia's lowest ski resort Mt Baw Baw is struggling along with just three of its seven lifts turning, but the good news is the two snow systems due in coming days are coming from a mostly southerly direction, which favours Baw Baw more than some other resorts which get their heaviest snow from the west. More info here.

The Falls Creek snow report describes conditions as "hard and fast", which again, is code for ice. There are 12 of 16 lifts running. More info here.

What a weekend at Falls! Bird’s eye views from the top. ⛷🏂 pic.twitter.com/WLEWS3cdhm

— Falls Creek Official (@fallsaustralia) July 3, 2022

NSW

Thredbo has 13 of its 14 lifts running, with many of its advanced runs closed due to ice, but stay tuned to the snow report, as the fresh snow could change that. More info here.

Perisher has 45 of 48 lifts going, and similar conditions to Thredbo. More info here. 

Charlotte Pass has all runs and all lifts open, but don't expect too much of a soft landing anywhere. More info here. 

TASMANIA

Ben Lomond and Mt Mawson are both temporarily closed await skiable snow, though there's enough to make a snowball.