No need to wait -- the ski season is here

It's so cold that the snow season will begin early this year.

Perisher officially reopens its Front Valley slope on Friday May 20, following a successful round of snow-making last Friday, reports AAP.

"We are thrilled to ... be opening the resort way ahead of time,'' Perisher chief executive Peter Brulisauer said.

Current temperatures in the Snowy Mountains are currently around the 5 C mark -- cold enough for man-made snow to cover the slopes.

But Australia's solution to low snowfall is sure to get a lot of help from Mother Nature.

According to mountainwatch.com.au, snow will fall at Perisher on Monday May 23 and more than eight centimeters are due on Tuesday May 24.

So there's now even more reasons to go skiing.

Less waiting this ski season -- it's high-tech

NSW ski resorts have joined forces this year to lessen frustration on the slopes. While they can't guarantee you a smooth ride, they are promising less waiting around.

Thredbo and Perisher have new pre-purchase passes at www.superski.com.au, allowing skiers to buy and reload via an online portal and avoid queues at ticket outlets. It also allows skiiers access to both resorts' slopes.

The ticket is scanned automatically without being taken out of a jacket pocket -- so skiiers don't need to un-glove and re-glove and then scan the ticket manually -- at the end of every run. 

It's the high-tech ski season, reports smh.com.au, with free Wi-Fi in resorts.

All four resorts have joined up on one website -- www.snownsw.com  -- that provides updated information and Facebook posts.

Ski resorts

Thredbo -- www.thredbo.com.au

Perisher -- www.perisher.com.au

Mount Selwyn -- www.selwynsnow.com.au

Charlotte Pass -- www.charlottepass.com.au