The annual snow season starts in Victoria and New South Wales this weekend, with major resorts and the weather bureau predicting a good season ahead.

Key points: Forecasters say cold fronts will bring 10-20cm of snow this weekend

Forecasters say cold fronts will bring 10-20cm of snow this weekend La Nina conditions could bring above average snowfall

La Nina conditions could bring above average snowfall Ski resorts welcome cooler conditions

The El Nino effect that impacted last year's Australian snow season has gone, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said, and the odds of a La Nina event have increased, meaning hopes are high for a pleasing ski season.

El Nino is associated with a warming of the central and eastern tropical Pacific, while La Nina events are the reverse, with a sustained cooling of the same areas.

Weather bureau senior forecaster Rod Dickson said there was an increased chance of above average rainfall in northern parts of Victoria and southern New South Wales in the coming winter months, which may prove to be a boon for skiers.

"Last year we did have an almost record-strong El Nino developing and we still got a reasonable season out of it," Mr Dickson said.

"This year, we're on a La Nina watch into the Pacific, so we could see some reasonable chances of above average rainfall and hopefully that will translate into above average snowfall this season," Mr Dickson said.

He put the chances of a La Nina developing at 50-50.

Meanwhile, a cold front has brought heavy snow to centres around Tasmania with falls on Mount Wellington and a sprinkling at Kaoota in the south.

Snow forecast this weekend

So far though, there is little snow on the ground and lifts are not operating yet.

But forecasters said cold fronts this weekend will bring between 10-20cm of snow to the alps.

Cold temperatures and snow flurries forecast for the season opening have been welcomed by Susie Diver from New South Wales' Thredbo resort.

"We wont have the El Nino effect, it will be basically a neutral season and definitely El Nino is out the door," she said.

Ski lifts are not open yet, but Australia's ski resorts are hoping for a good season. ( Chris Beck: supplied )

"But the weather is a fickle beast and anything can happen."

Rhylla Morgan from Mount Buller in Victoria said she was happy with the conditions.

"We don't have as much snow on the ground as we'd like, but snow at opening weekend is always a bit of an optional extra," Ms Morgan said.

"But it's certainly feeling nice and cold and we're expecting snow flurries ... and it looks like it's going to be getting colder as we head into Sunday so we're getting ready to make snow."

At Falls Creek resort, managers were also preparing to start snow-making.

Jo Prothero from Falls Creek resort management said she was hopeful that snow flurries on Saturday would mean conditions were chilly enough to start snow-making.

And her prediction for the 2016 season? "People say that as it's an Olympic year, it's going to be a good snow season, so we've got our fingers crossed."