Snowmaking

Mt Buller can make snow on many of the resort’s most popular runs, including Bourke Street, Little Buller Spur and Wombat, the Summit area, Chamois, Burnt Hut Spur, Shakey Knees, Men's Downhill and Standard.

Snowmaking ‘guns’ copy nature to convert water into snow. When water is sprayed at high pressure out a narrow ‘gun’ nozzle into cold air the tiny droplets freeze – similar to what happens when moisture hits cold enough air naturally.

What temperatures are suitable?

Using traditional air/water systems, a wet bulb temperature of -2C or below is generally needed for snowmaking. The wet bulb temperature is a combination of ambient air temperature and humidity. Snow can be made at higher ambient temperatures if the humidity is low. Clear, crisp conditions are when you’ll often notice the snowmaking system is cranking up here!

What about water?

Mt Buller has two large water storage reservoirs on the upper mountain that support snowmaking.  The snowmaking dam located next to the Snowflake Factory at the top of Baldy can hold 70 megalitres. The reservoir is filled from the Boggy Creek catchment area at a continual rate of 35 litres per second.  In 2019-2020 additional water storage – the Boggy Creek Reservoir - was built adding 100 megalitres to the resort supply, some of which is pumped across and supports snowmaking.

Mt Buller continues to invest in snowmaking around the resort to give skiers and snowboarders confidence of cover on their favourite runs.  BSL has also boosted pumping capacity to move all this water efficiently. At full operation with all guns working the network can produce snow at a staggering rate of 600 litres per second across the mountain. 

Snowmaking quality

Machine-made snow is generally made wetter than fresh natural snow. Why? It lasts longer, holds up better, resists blowing away, grooms out more easily and is the most efficient to make. Wetter snow is a good use of water and energy because more snow can be made with the same resources and last longer than light, dry snow. Freshly made snow can be ‘sticky’ under your skis and boards so if you see a snowmaking ‘whale’ (those piles of freshly made snow before they are groomed out) be careful as it can suddenly slow your slide!

Mt Buller's Snowmaking System

Snowmaking started at Buller back in the 1970s (by a few guys wearing corduroy flares) who established a pilot system on Enzian Ski Run.  It was later moved to Bourke Street. The main snowmaking infrastructure was then installed (by a few guys in acid wash jeans) in 1994 at the Snowflake Factory on the top of Baldy.

This included the water storage reservoir, air compressors, pump station and distribution pipelines for water and compressed air. The snowmaking system infrastructure and distribution pipelines were designed and built to allow for expansion as the terrain supported by snowmaking was forecast to grow.

Mt Buller led the way in Australian snowmaking systems installing a combination system of fan and air/water guns. The system is based around a central high level water storage reservoir, pump station and central air compressor station. Large pipelines deliver the water and compressed air to where it’s needed around the ski area.  We operate a combination of air/water guns and fan guns, as well as several Snowfactories (all-weather snowmaking plants).  During 2021-22 summer season many of the major underground pipes on the upper mountain were replaced and repaired to future proof the network and address some aging pipes and leaks. The fifth Snow Factory is the latest addition and was installed at Burnt Hut in May 2024. 

Effects of snowmaking

Simply, snowmaking promises more skiing, boarding, tobogganing and sliding of all sorts for more days each snow season.  The huge investment and ongoing improvements to the snowmaking system gives skiers confidence they can get on snow from June through to October.  Snowmaking means Mt Buller is often the first resort in Australia to get skiing each season, and the last to close. It makes the Mt Buller Snow Guarantee possible.

The coverage of snowmaking at Mt Buller currently includes:

• Bourke Street
• Baldy
• Skyline
• Magic Forest
• Chamois
• Northside Discovery Area
• Burnt Hut
• Koflers
• Summit
• Howqua
• Howqua Extension
• Family Run
• The Chute
• Little Buller Spur
• Whiskey Creek Trail
• Wombat
• Shakey Knees
• Access trails
• Men's Downhill
• Standard Run
• Snowplay parks in the village and at Celia’s (Horse Hill)

Total skiable area of snowmaking:

• Over 56 hectares
• Approximately 20% of skiable terrain and marked trails