Record long weekend!

Sun 12 June: Mt Buller celebrated the traditional season ‘kick-off’ with record snow levels and bumper visitation for the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

“It’s the most snow we’ve ever recorded for a June long weekend and everyone is amazed to be skiing and boarding on the amount of cover we usually wait until mid-season to experience,” said Noel Landry General Manager of Buller Ski Lifts.  “The team here are building some serious muscles from all the shovelling and de-icing that is going on around the resort in order to get lifts open and clear entry ways and paths.”

The average snow-depth on the ski runs is sitting between 78-85cms and the snow has been steadily falling across the weekend festivities. More snow is forecast in the coming week.

This morning Buller Ski Lifts celebrated the achievements of Mt Buller local Jakara Anthony who brought home a gold medal in mogul skiing from the Beijing Olympics.  Jakara reminisced with friends and family about starting out skiing in the Magic Forest, progressing through the Ski & Snowboard School and on to international competition.  Her Olympic team mates helped give out commemorative gold ‘medal’ cookies to the guests riding the Bourke Street Express this morning.  The handmade cookies featured golden snowflakes and were individually designed and made by ABOM pastry chef Rebecca Raphael.

Activities across the weekend included a high-energy DJ set by legendary Client Liaison with the village square transformed into a dancefloor complete with fresh snow falling on the crowd.  Family activities in the village included giant bubble demonstrations, face-painting and pats with local sled dogs as well as meet & greet opportunity with Winter Olympians including Cameron Bolton, Gabi Ash, Jakara Anthony and local snowboarder Mia Clift.  Parties stretched late into the night with Kooroora nightclub pumping until the 3am “That’s Amore” close. 

Strong visitation on Sunday saw the car parks reach capacity late morning and the Sunday night session with the ‘Six Piece Super Band’ blues music at Moosehead Whisky & Blues Bar also sold out. 

Thousands of skiers and boarders explored additional terrain with Little Buller Spur, Bull Run and Howqua all groomed and open.  Skyline Park delighted riders with several features and jumps shaped for long-weekend visitors.

The bumper snowfalls have seen record levels of bookings for lift passes, accommodation and lessons and snow-lovers are advised to plan ahead, book in snow stays now and explore mid-week visits when there is more capacity. 

The strong early snowfall and established snow base is good news for skiers and boarders looking forward to Spring sliding all the way through to late September and early October.