Victorian Skiers and Snowboarders Head Back to the Hills

Mountainwatch | Reggae Elliss

Out of lockdown and up to the mountains was the refrain for Victorian skiers and snowboarders last weekend and those who made the effort were welcomed by some great conditions. The two storms that crossed the Aussie Alps while the state was in lockdown dropped a heap of snow leaving an average base of 125cms at Falls Creek and Hotham and 85cms at Buller.

While visitors are required to have a negative Covid test result within 72 hours of visiting Victoria’s Alpine Resorts, it is a small price to pay to enjoy the mountains and good snow that is waiting after 12 days of lockdown. The resorts are holding a good mid-winter snow pack and last weekend did not disappoint, Tony Harrington our Buller snow reporter writing about Saturday: “The all-mountain skiing yesterday was rad. Perfect ripple snow conditions were found right across the mountain both on and off-piste. “

It is a similar story in Falls and Hotham with both resorts skiing well, Hotham with 100% of lifts and terrain open while Falls just need International to open and it will also be operating at 100%. Both resorts welcomed back plenty of visitors on the weekend who enjoyed the good conditions, Bill Barker writing in his Hotham report on Saturday that that, “the snow feels like it will be riding really well from first thing this morning, with just a touch of softness making for good turns on both the groomers and off piste.”

After losing all of last winter to the long 2020 Covid lockdowns, last week’s reopening was a big relief for the Victorian resorts, businesses and surrounding alpine communities. “It feels so good to be skiing and boarding again,” Buller spokesperson Rhylla Morgan told Mountainwatch. “Lifts are rolling on the mountain and cars are rolling into the resort – just as it should be during peak season with a metre of snow underfoot!

“Losing a couple of weeks in peak season was a huge blow but this pandemic has our ‘pivot game’ strong in the alpine areas,” Rhylla said. “We are back open, back in the game and Victorians have been fired up about getting back up to the mountains.”

There is an air of optimism in the mountains and with the deep base and snow falling today with more on the way tomorrow, now’s your chance to make the most of it and head for the hills. Hopes are high that Victoria will get through the season without further lockdowns and that skiers and snowboarders and the overall snow industry will enjoy a great peak season over the next six weeks.

Hotham snow reports and forecasts

Falls Creek snow reports and forecasts

Mt Buller snow reports and forecasts

Mt Baw Baw snow reports and forecasts