A FRESH dump of snow has seen puffer-clad and beanie-wearing tourists and locals head to Mount Buller for the start of the 2024 ski season.

However, the price of pants, helmets, goggles, skiis and poles can snowball into a costly affair.

Renae Vojtek and her family travel to Mount Buller every year and love perfecting their skiing and snowman-making skills.

However, Renae said the costly nature of snow gear deters many families from skiing.

“I was constantly having to replace my son’s snow gear year-on-year because he would just grow out of it,” she said.

“It was starting to get really expensive, and I spoke with other parents who were experiencing similar things.

“I didn’t want to keep buying new clothes and I didn’t want to throw old gear into landfill.”

In 2015, Renae and her husband Eddie Cameron started Back to the Slopes - a business for new and pre-loved snow gear.

“Customers are welcome to bring in their old snow gear and trade it in or buy second-hand gear for a much cheaper price,” she explained.

Almost a decade on, Back to the Slopes has grown from a few listings on eBay to a huge online business, with an in-person headquarters at Niddrie, Melbourne.

“We expanded from clothing to boots, to snowboards to accessories, so we’ve really expanded our clientele," she said.

"We have so many repeat customers who return every year."

Renae said Back to The Slope’s business model is all about sustainability and making sure “everyone gets to experience the snow”.

“We are really focused on getting families who wouldn’t normally go skiing, up to the snow,” she said.

“On top of that, we are conscious of our environmental impact, especially when talking about clothing that is often only worn one weekend out of the whole year."

Eco-conscious skiers living in the Mansfield Shire can also find sustainable snow gear around town.

Op shop and second-hand clothing stores have endless racks of pre-loved snow gear and vintage ski jackets.

Mansfield resident Trinity Knight bought pearl-coloured ski goggles, pants, gloves and a helmet for $80 at Mansfield Vinnies.

The 21-year-old loves to ski but was wary about contributing to fast fashion.

“I think getting second-hand snow clothing is the best of both worlds,” she laughed.

“It’s a lot cheaper and you help the environment.”