A LACK of snow did not deter dedicated locals and tourists from heading to Mount Buller for the opening of the 2024 ski season last weekend. Excited skiers, snowboarders and snowball-makers lined up outside Bourke Street – one of the only chairlifts open in Australia. Local athletes and Olympians including Belle Brockhoff and Mia Clift joined the festivities and welcomed guests to mark 100 years of skiing at Mt Buller. Olympic gold medalist and decorated mogul skier Jakara Anthony was also present and delighted onlookers during a meet-and-greet. Mt Buller’s snowmaking efforts have paid off as the resort was able to offer guests some of the only skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing and terrain park fun in the country for the official season start. “It’s a team effort and literally does take a village to get the mountain open and rolling for the start of snow season,” explained Buller Ski Lifts General Manager Noel Landry. "The snowmaking team have been working night and day for weeks, the groomers have carefully been preparing the runs and our snow play areas in recent days and as we get sliding in the sunshine this morning for the first time it’s great to see so many happy faces.” Enthusiastic skiers slid down the mountain all day, while others were keen to dance with Stewie the Koala and the rest of the forest gang. Other spectators gathered at Village Square to watch the 100 Years of Ski Fashion parade, where models showcased spectacular arrays of 80s, 90s and early 2000s ski jackets and pants. Mt Buller has lifted skiing on Bourke Street run, a terrain park on Gliders carpet on Northside, sightseeing on Northside Express, toboggan slope fun in the village and snowplay up at Spurs café.
