AS the clock ticked down to the opening of the snow season and the snowmaking crew were testing and preparing the snowmaking systems, including Mt Buller’s fleet of five Snow Factories.
Now that the opening of the 2025 snow season is here over the past two months snow piles have been added to lst week's first fall of natural snow, which will give skiers and snowboarders their first turns on Bourke Street for the King’s Birthday long weekend celebrations all thanks to the snowmaking team which have made it happen.
Head snowmaker Paul Richmond and his crew have began commissioning the state-of-the-art Snow Factories some two months ago and sharp-eyed snow fans spotted the test piles of snow popping up on Bourke Street at the Celia’s Toboggan park within weeks.
“We’re getting the mobile factories into position and putting them through a series of tests ready to build stockpiles of snow for our guests,” said Paul.
The snowmaking plan kicked in after Easter as the temperatures dropped, striking a balance with enough time to build stockpiles using the factories and being efficient with the use of resources by making snow during a cooler weather window and to coincide with early natural snowfalls.
“Two of Mt Buller’s mobile Snow Factories have been replaced with upgraded models this season and we’ve been working with the team at TechnoAlpin to make improvements and efficiencies so we can make more snow, as efficiently as possible,” Paul said.
Buller Ski Lifts General Manager Noel Landry adds, “It’s great to see the Snow Factories in position along the Bourke Street run ready to go.
"As the days become shorter and the temperatures drop it’s a sign for skiers and snowboarders to book their winter plans.
"I look forward to seeing the snow piles building and adding to the natural snow, for the opening weekend and joining our guests and the local community for those first special turns in June.”
Mt Buller led the way in 2017 as the first ski resort in Australia to invest in a Snow Factory at the top of the Bourke Street run.
Snow Factories make snow using refrigeration technology and each one can produce 100-200 cubic metres of snow daily in any weather.
Mt Buller resort has progressively invested in two large SF220 snow factories and three mobile units over the past seven years.
These units can be deployed to boost the snow cover where it’s needed including Chamois run, the toboggan parks and Northside beginner area at the top of Burnt Hut.
The Snow Factories make a resilient product that looks and feels quite different to delicate snowflakes and is ideal for building a durable base.
The super-chilled icy particles from the Snow Factories bond strongly to one another and can be stockpiled and groomed out across the runs when needed.
