Mt Buller Confirms Lift Operations Suspended Until September 13

August 6th, 2020
Mt Buller, during better times. Hopefuly lifts wil be spinning again on September 13. Photo: Tony Harrington

Mountainwatch | News

Mount Buller announced today that it will be suspending lift operations, effective at 5pm today, until September 13 or when the stage 3 restrictions in Victoria are lifted.  This follows advice from the state government that all Victorian alpine resorts are closed to visitors while the current restrictions are in place.

However, people living in Buller can exercise outside and that includes ski touring and cross country skiing. In its statement Buller said it is possible the resort may re-open after September 13, “public health restrictions and snow conditions permitting.”

Today’s statement from Buller follows Vail Resorts announcing on Tuesday that lift operations in Falls Creek and Hotham would not be re-opening this year due to the second Covid 19 wave engulfing Melbourne and the new restrictions now in place.  Mt Baw Baw, which received 30cms of snow this week, also advised yesterday it would “temporarily close” to the public until September 13, but did not indicate whether its lifts will-reopen if conditions permit.

As we all know it has been a lean season for snow in Victoria, but in a cruel irony that is about to change with significant snowfalls this weekend with 35-66cms forecast by Monday ahead of another cold front and more snow next week.

That could set up a good snow cover and hopefully the restrictions will be lifted on September 13 and Buller will be able to operate for a few spring turns in late September.  Today’s media release  from Mt Buller is below:

 

Photo: Tony Harrington

No visitors to Mt Buller Mt Stirling during Stage 3 restrictions

Mt Buller, 6 August 2020: The Victorian Government advised this morning all Victorian alpine resorts are closed to visitors as part of its stage 3 coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions across regional Victoria.

Visitors will not be permitted to enter the Mt Buller & Mt Stirling Resorts from 5pm on Thursday 6 August 2020, and any breaches will be eligible for a significant fine.

Permanent residents, seasonal residents and on-mountain staff are permitted to remain living within the resort during these Stage 3 restrictions. The stay at home restrictions apply to everyone living within the resort, who are only to leave their accommodation for one of the four allowed reasons, and only if wearing a face covering. Further details are available here – www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au

The Resort Management Board will continue to provide core services, although there may be some reductions such as the frequency of road clearing and rubbish removal, the hours of operation of Reception and the Post Office, and whether there is a need for any medical centre or transportation services. The playgrounds at Mirimbah and within the Mt Buller Village have been closed.

The Government has confirmed:

  • the on-mountain supermarket can continue to operate;
  • takeaway food & beverage outlets can continue to operate;
  • people living within the resort can continue to exercise outdoors including cross country skiing; and
  • ski lifts cannot operate.

Following this updated government direction this morning Buller Ski Lifts has confirmed lift operations and related services including Ski & Snowboard School will be suspended at 5pm today for the duration of the Stage 3 restrictions in Victoria.

It is possible, public health restrictions and snow conditions permitting, that the ski area may be able to reopen after 13 September.

Health and safety will remain the guiding principle for the resort community as we operate in accordance with the public health guidelines.