The Victorian alpine resorts are enjoying some of the best early conditions in almost 50 years.
According to a Snow Resorts Australia reports Mt Buller hit the ground sliding in June, delivering one of the top 10 snow season starts in the 47 years of snowfall reporting in resort.
The combination of early snowmaking and timely natural snowfalls saw the mountain open strong for the season opening weekend to the delight of guests and operators.
as of last week nine out of 20 lifts wee open and 3.4 out of 47.5km of pistes were available.
As more snow was predicted for Thursday and Friday it was expected more lifts would open for the weekend. Overnight on Tuesday of last week (1 July) more had 20cm of snow fell in the previous 24 hours to 10am Wednesday contributing to favorable conditions for skiing. And the longer range forecast is for more snow for both Buller and Mt Stirling.
"We had a magical delivery that started yesterday (1 July) afternoon," Mt Buller spokesperson Rhylla Morgan said.
"I've been listening to the pitter-patter through my window through the night.
"It's nice and cold, minus 3 degrees and is set to stay that way all day."
The skiing and snowboarding in recent weeks has been more like what’s expected in mid-July.
Snow factories and a refined snowmaking network has played a key role allowing the team to build a base even ahead of the first big storms.
Momentum and bookings built up in the lead to the Victorian and NSW July school holiday period which commenced on 4 July with Little Buller Spur and Wombat opening and more advanced terrain coming online. Children's the Little Bunyip's program also was running.
Families planning a winter getaway have expected a well-covered mountain, buzzing village atmosphere and plenty of on-and off-snow activities to keep everyone smiling.
As the calendar flipped over into July last week the Mt Buller welcomed Snow Squad kids, Mt Buller Race Club programs and Team Buller who celebrate 40 years of freestyle coaching at Mt Buller this season.
Tourism’s ‘Visit Victoria’ is also promoting the ski fields and is currently working with ARV on a co-operative campaign through the Visit Victoria Industry Partnership Program (VVIPP), which encourages Melburnians to visit the State’s ski resorts.
The campaign is live across extensive outdoor advertising as well as radio and digital, alongside content being captured at Mount Buller in partnership with Tourism North East – as part of the VEP Cooperative Marketing Program.
The snowfields were also showcased to hundreds of thousands of viewers around the country recently, through a PR-led partnership with national broadcaster Sunrise, that saw host Sam Mac visiting Cloud 9 at Falls Creek, enjoying a husky sled through Dinner Plain, and checking out Alpine Nature Experiences at Mount Hotham.
