AT Hotham, where most people visit for just a week or two, Ben Harvey has found something more permanent.

Since his first winter season in 2012, he’s worked every summer and winter, now holding dual roles that keep him on the mountain year-round.

“In my summer position I supervise a small team of labourers to work on improving the resort for the next season,” he said.

“My winter position is lift operations supervisor and for that, I look after the day-to-day operations of the ski lifts at Hotham Alpine Resort.”

It’s a long way from his early days managing a BWS store in Bendigo.

“I was looking for a lifestyle change,” Ben explained.

“So in 2012 I worked my first season as a lift attendant at Hotham.

"After returning home to my old job as a BWS manager in Bendigo, I quickly realised that I needed more than the monotonous 9 to 5 life.

"So I worked hard and made that a reality and have since started a family up here too.”

After more than a decade on the job, Ben still finds plenty to love about alpine life.

“I was very fortunate to gain year-round, full-time employment after only being with Hotham Alpine Resort for a few years,” he said, “but what has kept me coming back is that both my summer and winter roles are very diverse in such a way that no two days are the same.”

That variety is evident in the difference between his two seasonal jobs.

“In my summer role, it’s a mixture of operating machines, building and hiking around the resort,” he said, “whereas in winter, it's all about getting the lifts open and operating safely on a daily basis.”

One project from the most recent summer stands out in particular.

“This past summer we have had a huge grooming operation across the entire resort with vegetation management on ski runs," he said.

"This will help us open ski runs earlier on less snow.”

Maintaining those slopes is no small feat either.

“One of the most challenging jobs that we try to complete each summer is to maintain the vegetation and tree regrowth each year," he explained.

"This requires a strong team to continuously hike the resort to keep that regrowth to minimum.

"There's a lot of ski resort to cover and not much time to complete it.”

Spending all four seasons in an alpine environment offers a unique perspective, and a few reminders to pause and take it all in.

“It's very easy to take the area for granted,” Ben said.

“Sometimes you just have to stand back and enjoy that sunset or view of the low clouds in the valleys.

"We are very lucky to have some of the most amazing views in Australia in my opinion.”

He’s also quick to point out that what guests see on the surface is only part of the story.

“All of the work that has happened beneath the snow, from snowmaking pipe works to something as small as brush cutting the vegetation lower, can produce a better product for everyone to enjoy in winter,” he said.

Looking ahead to winter 2025, Ben is hoping for good snow and maybe even a few powder days off.

But, what he’s most excited about, “Getting my nearly two-year-old son on the snow for the first time”.