Australia’s largest ski resort, Perisher in New South Wales, reports it has had a very successful opening week with new natural snow adding to the machine-made snow already on the ground.

The resort has received so much snow, in fact, they’re given 15 tonnes of it to The National Zoo and Aquarium in Australian capital Canberra to the great joy of the Zoo’s snow leopards and brown bears.

“We’ve had a great start to this year’s season with over 10 centimetres of natural snow added over the opening weekend It’s a joy to be able to deliver such a large amount of snow to the National Zoo and Aquarium. We hope the animals and, indeed, all of the Zoo’s visitors will enjoy the snowy winter wonderland — and that it may inspire them to come visit Perisher.”

The snow was delivered early on Friday morning and unveiled to the general public at 11am. In addition to creating a snowy home for the animals, the Zoo is also creating a kids snow playground for snowmen and the occasional snowball fight.

Perisher and the Zoo together are raising money for the International Snow Leopard Fund (www.snowleopard.org). Over the coming months there will be day and overnight trips organised with a portion of the proceeds being donated directly to the fund.

“It is fantastic to have Perisher and Deans coach service join us to raise money for the Snow Leopard Trust in order to help the extremely endangered species,” said David Blogg, General Manager for the National Zoo and Aquarium.