September is arguably the best time to head to our snow resorts, with sun, fewer crowds, mountains of activities and the promise of some fantastic late season deals this spring.

Even more so this season, with both Mt Hotham and Falls Creek alpine resorts going into spring blessed with more than a metre of snow and all lifts and terrain operating.

Both resorts are scheduled to finish their season at the conclusion of the fortnight school holidays on Sunday, 6 October.

Mt Hotham Chamber of Commerce president Steve Belli and Falls Creek Chamber of Commerce president Michelle Lovell believe what has been one of the strongest seasons in a decade still has much to offer.

They are hoping the superb snow conditions and some tremendous deals will only add to the September appeal, particularly mid-week.

Both say for new snow visitors, September offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy an overnight stay on mountain and try skiing or snowboarding.

Certainly, so far this season both resorts have seen a continuing trend of day visitation and first time snowgoers - with Falls’ Windy Corner (tobogganing, snow play) and Hotham’s Wire Plain (tobogganing, snow play, and other activities) never busier.

Alpine Resorts Victoria’s official visitation figures for this season certainly reflects a growing number of day visitation.

Visitors for the first 11 weeks of the season until 17 August were the most for the past decade at Falls Creek, totalling 179,123 - well above the second highest total of 133,593 in 2022.

However, visitor days - reflecting overnight stays - of 293,843 in that period were the seventh lowest for the past decade, well below the 2022 figure of 358,248.

Visitor numbers at Mt Hotham so far this season have also been strong, with the total of 141,383 the second highest in the past decade, behind 157,570 in 2022.

Visitor days have also been the third highest in the past decade, behind 331,840 on 2022 and 320,536 in 2023.

Mr Belli said stakeholders - including resort managers, lift companies and accommodation providers - were all working together to add value to on-mountain overnight stays, particularly in spring.

He said evolving the day tripper market to see more people try skiing and snowboarding was among the ongoing focus to ensure all visitors had the best snow experience possible.

Vail Resorts’ Falls Creek vice president and general manager, Richard Phillips, said the company was excited by spring, and pleased with visitation this winter.

“We have had very good snow conditions all season long with regular snowfalls and great snowmaking conditions,” he said.

“With these great conditions we are set up for a great spring with exceptional skiing across the mountain.

“We are happy to see families, groups of friends and every generation out there on the mountain learning or progressing their skiing and riding this season.

“We invested in the guest experience with a major upgrade to snowmaking on Drover’s Dream, which helped us open more beginner and intermediate terrain earlier in the season.

“With the great snowmaking conditions this terrain is looking great for September with plenty of spring skiing to come in Falls Creek.”

Vail Resorts’ Mt Hotham vice president and general manager, Tina Burford, said the strong early snowfall and favourable snow making conditions supported early terrain opening, allowing guest to enjoy broad access from the outset of the season.

“The transformation of Big D into a progression-focused freestyle zone has been a standout success and an engaging space, with night terrain park sessions adding a new dimension to the guest experience,” she said.

“The adult and child ski-school being brought into the one Hotham Central location has also been a gamechanger for families on the mountain.”

• For the latest resort information, including snow reports, activities and deals, visit mthotham.com.au, fallscreek.com.au, and visitdinnerplain.com.au