AFTER a bumper summer attracting more all–year round mountain enthusiasts with an outstanding turnout of events, winter is finally here.
The passionate Buller community, old and new, have been desperately waiting and counting down the last days leading up to Queen's Birthday weekend.
The snow factories have been spinning and the snow forecast is promising to deliver a start to winter like never seen before.
Having had two interrupted years and with COVID restrictions now behind us, the many diehard snow families who frequently spend their winter months on the mountain are all eagerly ready to enjoy a normal snow season.
The property market has been booming during this time with agents reporting sales figures are up 40–50 per cent higher on previous years.
Due to the strong demand from a newer generation of young families who are keen to get their own slice of Buller, there have been sales that have surpassed expectation and supply now reduced to unforeseen levels.
Director at Adams Estate Agents, Zach Adams, whose family pioneered property development on Mt Buller from the 1950s, says nobody ever anticipated the surge of demand for alpine property during COVID.
"All of our stock has been selling rapidly over the summer season and particularly the last few months in the lead up to winter," Zach said.
"Off–market sales have been constant as has the open market with supply and demand playing a huge role.
"Those who have spent decades on the mountain have either downsized, upsized or sold out.
"Prices are continually rising, and my father (Mark) and I have been very fortunate to represent our clients over the past 24 months, selling more established property on Buller than any other agency combined."
Although Mt Buller offers the most extensive amount of accommodation in Victoria's ski resorts, the village is nearly built out and properties are typically held through generations of families or owned by several groups under a membership or share arrangement.
Due to this nature, Mt Buller can be tightly held at times but there have been some rare properties that have changed hands recently in both the luxury and affordable markets.
There was a recent two–bedroom sale in Grimus Apartments which sold above the expected $1.5m guide.
"This was the first apartment sale in Grimus in many, many years," Zach said.
"What is so appealing about this building?
"The sought–after location and hotel amenity – being able to order room service from the famous Kaptan's Restaurant or enjoy a schnapps at Herbies Cocktail Bar with friends and family.
"Most importantly, buying in this complex means being part of the Pension Grimus community who are warmly welcomed by the Grimus family every winter.
"Lotte, Hannes and Anton are an integral part of the mountain, its history and renowned for providing one of the best on mountain living experiences."
On the more affordable end, Adams has just listed a completely furnished apartment for $900,000 which is self–contained within the Arlberg Hotel and ready to move in.
It has been expansively designed to sleep six people offering two distinct sleeping areas and overall being the size of a two–bedroom apartment.
"It sits on the very edge of Bourke St, so it has the most entertaining view and the access to head out on the hill is excellent," Zach said.
"It also comes with the luxury of a secure garage car space which are increasingly rare to source on Buller and now valued at over $200,000."
It's a seller's market and with great anticipation, limited supply is likely to continue during the launch of winter.
"It is expected that owners will look to spend some well–deserved time skiing, boarding and socialising in Buller's vibrant village once again this season," Zach said.
"Everyone is looking forward to arriving in the mountains with that feeling again – the feeling when you reach that crisp mountain air and snow trickling down as you drive into the village."
