The ski season will start early this year after heavier than usual snowfalls and strong winds combined to deliver about 60 centimetres of snow and pack it into an ideal base for skiers and snowboarders.

Perisher will open on Friday, with the front valley area operating, and Mount Buller in Victoria will open on Saturday. It will offer free skiing and boarding on its new Bourke Street Express chairlift.

Staff members at Perisher said they had not seen the sun in days but were delighted by the heavy snowfalls. Credit:Perisher

The season traditionally starts a week later over the Queen's Birthday long weekend.

Perisher's communications director Joss McAlpin said the resort had been inundated with snow this week.