THERE’S snow on the ground, but skiing won’t be part of the celebrations to kick of the snow season at Falls Creek and Mt Hotham alpine resorts this King’s Birthday long weekend.
While snow flurries earlier this week, coupled with snowmaking operations over recent weeks, have both alpine villages in a white winter coat, on-snow activities this weekend will be restricted purely to snowplay, with no lifts open.
But both resorts still have plenty to offer visitors, particularly in apres-ski activities.
Restaurants, retails stores and accommodation providers are all open for business.
With the Bogong High Plains Road now fully restored with two lane traffic following the landslide 20 months ago, Falls Creek has the welcome mats well and truly open.
The village will have its Halleys Comet chairlift operating for scenic rides up to Cloud 9, where visitors can inspect major redevelopment works accommodating the key essentials you’ll need this season.
Falls Creek’s Opening Weekend Festival includes a street party event feature the Connected Circus in the Village Bowl followed by spectacular fireworks on Saturday night.
Mt Hotham will also have spectacular fireworks on Sunday evening.
The resort’s much feted $4 million two-storey Alpine Gateway facility (Loch Car Park) is to be fully operational this season.
Its expansive car park provides a valuable alternative to the Corral Car Park while its day shelter facilities and amenities are a welcome addition.
On-snow changes at Mt Hotham this season include a new beginner area complete with the Bunderool magic carpet lift, and Basin Terrain Park moving to the Playground run.
Amber Gardner, CEO of Alpine Resorts Victoria which governs the alpine resorts, said the industry has much to celebrate, with alpine resorts “ready and excited to welcome the nearly one million visitors who annually turn out to experience the magic of winter on the mountains”.
Certainly, both Falls Creek and Mt Hotham will be hoping to see a repeat of 2023’s strong visitation, despite challenging snow conditions.
According to ARV, Falls Creek had 168,241 visitors last season (ending September 20), which was the third highest in the past decade, behind 191,553 in 2022 and 176,347 in 2017.
Falls’ visitor days were 457,659, second only to 522,366 in 2022.
Mt Hotham had 154,825 visitors last season (ending September 17), the second highest in the past decade behind 209,170 in 2022; while visitor days totalled 398,746, again second only to 2022’s total of 457,635.
• For the latest resort information, including snow reports and activities during season 2024, visit mthotham.com.au and fallscreek.com.au