MT Buller welcomed two more snow factories into the resort this week and is busy making growing stockpiles of snow with just weeks until the season kicks off.
Mt Buller was the first resort in Australia to invest in a TechnoAlpin Snow Factory back in 2017.
The resort's four factories are now a pillar in the snowmaking arsenal on Mt Buller that guarantee skiing and boarding for season opening regardless of early season temperatures and snowfalls.
At full operation the Mt Buller factories can produce 550 cubic metres of snow every 24 hours.
The existing factories were fired up last week and the new additions are being quickly commissioned to ensure plenty of snow for the Village Toboggan Park and Bourke Street ahead of Queen's Birthday weekend.
The two new factories were purchased as part of a $2.8m Alpine Business Support grant from Regional Development Victoria to help the resort recover from the impacts of bushfires and COVID–19.
The grant also funded the development of five "docking stations" where the mobile factories can be located to make snow where it's needed.
The two factories, trailers and five docking stations cost approximately $1.8m and are an important part of the resort's climate change adaptation strategy.
Mt Buller has been working on improving water and energy efficiencies when making snow as well as techniques to preserve snow to guarantee more skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing from June until October.
The ability to reliably make snow is a game–changer, giving certainty for guests and operators, especially at the beginning and end of the snow season when natural snowfalls can be less predictable.
As part of Mt Buller's new tobogganing model aimed at improving safety and the visitor experience, one of the new factories is dedicated to supplying the popular Village Toboggan Park with hopes it can welcome guests for an early slide before the traditional Queen's Birthday opening.
There is great excitement in the resort as the snow piles are growing; the website is reporting strong online traffic as snow–lovers check the live webcams and make bookings for the season ahead.
Weekend bookings for the 2022 season are already at record levels and the resort is encouraging visitors and locals to make the most of post–pandemic flexibility with work and travel to stay during mid–week where possible.
The off–peak periods offer significant savings, more space on the slopes, a wide range of dining options and the fun of Wednesday Twilight Sessions with skiing until late under lights.
