MARKING his 24th year on Mt Buller, General Manager of Buller Ski Lifts (BSL), Laurie Blampied was looking forward to retiring at the end of this winter season but has put those plans on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Talking to the Buller News , Mr Blampied said the plan was for him to retire at the end of the 2020 season but with the COVID pandemic that has all changed.
He explained the succession plan was to appoint a new general manager in March or April and for him to work in parallel with the new appointee through this winter while gradually handing over the reigns towards the end of the year.
Now that transition is most likely to happen at the end of the 2021 season.
When March came along so did the world wide pandemic COVID-19, with not only travel put on hold but a total lockdown across Australia and the winter ski season put in doubt.
Ski resort openings were only announced in May with significant restrictions in place including social distancing and reduced numbers allowed at each resort.
Mr Blampied has been at the helm of BSL (owned by the Grollo group) since 1996 when he joined the company moving over from Falls Creek.
He recalls the mountain had around 24 lifts when he arrived and a program commenced to consolidate some of the older lifts, replacing them with more efficient ones.
“We replaced the old Shakey Knees t-bar with a new quad, removed Burnt Hut, the Helicopter Flat Chair and the Blue Bullet chair – adding some detachable six-seaters which have significantly improved the flow around the resort.”
But the major advancements and investment in snow making is where he has seen the biggest improvements for the mountain and its skiers and boarders.
“The changes we’ve seen in technology really has changed the face of Mt Buller,” Mr Blampied said.
“The key limiting factor we have faced is the available water for snowmaking.
“The snowmaking system has quadrupled and brought an astronomical change to the ski area from the very basic system we had when I arrived.
“Automation, improved technology and now two SnowFactories that are able to operate 24/7 and make snow in any temperature have transformed our ability to promise snow for our guests,” he said.
“We can promise many more days of snow making operation in 2020 from when I started in the industry in 1994 and as we adapt to changing climate this is increasingly important for the resort’s future,” Mr Blampied said.
“We have been ‘starved’ for water at Mt Buller and it has been most satisfying seeing the construction of the new 100 megalitre water reservoir this year.
“It will secure the future snow making for many years to come,” he said.
“Climate change is real and will affect the ski industry so having state-of-the art snow making facilities that work efficiently, paired with a larger water supply will give our snowsports community greater peace of mind into the future.”
It is not only the mountain that has changed over the 24 years but the faces at the top.
“I have worked with some four resort managers in my time,” Mr Blampied said.
“When I first came here Sandy Jeffcoat was resort manager and there was no Resort Management Board (RMB) or CEO – that came in 1997.
“I worked well with Sandy.
“I got on very well with him – he was well liked and respected and he had a very strong affinity and passion for Mt Buller and the people who live and work here – he was delightful to work with,” Mr Blampied said.
“I have since worked with three CEOs at the Resort Management – Phil Nunn replaced Sandy, John Huber followed Phil and now Mark Bennetts is now in the chair – all very different characters and have brought different approaches to the role.”
Challenges over the past 24 years – the increase in numbers?
“I would say the demographics of our visitors over my time have changed,” Mr Blampied said.
“Back in 1996 it was a strong culture of lodge members– very much ‘dyed in the wool’ Buller skiers.
“Times have changed and now we have a shift in the demographics we see coming to the resort, new groups of people coming to experience snow and coming for a different length of stay.
“Lodge members would settle in for a week, two weeks or three each year back then.
“Life is different now, faster paced perhaps, and we see shorter visitation patterns.
“We also see a much more diverse cultural demographic – so that’s been a big shift.
“It’s interesting that Mt Buller has a long history of welcoming migrant communities, who bring their passion for the mountains with them.
“Sixty years ago it was Europeans leading the way and now we see all the diversity that makes up Australia - and Melbourne in particular – reflected in our visitors who claim heritage from across Asia, the Middle East and even Africa.
Mr Blampied said he can see Mt Buller will continue to grow –– Melbourne now has five million people - and with no more ski resorts being built in Australia - he expects the demand for product snow experience will only increase.
“The mountain does not look the same as it did 20 to 30 years ago, and as snow becomes rarer (with climate change) it will be even more sought after,” Mr Blampied said.
“I have no doubt climate change is real.
“The ski industry is far from being in denial– it has been at the forefront embracing adaptation to climate change since the early 1990s.
“We need to adapt to survive, which is why we first got into snow making - some 30 years ago now.”
And although Mr Blampied’s plans for retirement are definitely on hold he said he has no ‘bucket list’ of things to do.
“I have been very fortunate in my working life to have travelled extensively around the world being involved in the ski industry, so I’m looking forward to living in Mansfield, playing golf, doing some more fishing and spending time with my grandchildren. “Until that retirement date comes around Mr Blampied will continue to enjoy Mt Buller, facing the challenges thrown his way, the people including his highly praised team of staff that he works with.
