MT HOTHAM and Falls Creek alpine resorts will open for skiing and snowboarding on Friday morning.
Heavy dumps of fresh snow, coupled with conditions allowing snow making over recent days, has allowed both resorts to officially kick start their season on the slopes, following the official season opening over the King's Birthday weekend.
“With significant snow falling over the past week, the team has been hard at work preparing the mountain ready to spin lifts,” said Len Dobell, GM operations at Mt Hotham.
“We had 27cm of snow fall on Tuesday and through the night to bring our base up to around 33cm.”
The Summit Quad and Summit trainer will open from 1pm on Friday, and with more snow in the forecast, the lift company expects more terrain to open shortly.
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The ski school will open from Saturday with Mighty Mites, Kids Club, group and private lessons all available to book.
All rental, retail and food and beverage outlets are also ready to welcome guests to the resort.
Richard Phillips, vice president GM Falls Creek Ski Lifts, said snowstorms over the past week delivered a whopping 36cm of fresh snow at the resort "and we have heaps more on the way with up to 45cm due to hit from Sunday".
“We got a nice top up throughout the day yesterday as our team got to work preparing the mountain,” he said.
Mr Phillips said Halley’s Comet Quad Chair, Towers Quad Chair and Mouse Trap Carpet will be running giving skiers and boarders access to Main Street, Highway 83, Lower Nastar and Mouse Trap runs.
Private lessons will commence from Friday for those wanting to try skiing and boarding for the first time, and all other snowsports lesson options will be available from the weekend.
Lessons should be booked in advance to avoid disappointment.
“We have Australia’s most beginner-friendly terrain, coupled with amazing apres-ski options and a ski-in, ski-out village – it’s just beautiful here right now,” Mr Phillips said.
“We can’t wait to share the mountain with skiers and snowboarders again.”
In more exciting news, Mr Phillips said Windy Corner Toboggan Park opens this Saturday.
He said a new and free magic carpet will save peoples' legs from the walk up.
To book a free session on the slope, head to https://www.fallscreek.com.au/tobogganing/.
Mr Phillips said the forecast holds the promise of an additional 25cm of fresh snow on Sunday and Monday and up to 45cm over the next fortnight!.
"This will hopefully allow the opening of more lifts and unlocking more terrain next week," he said.
