WHEN the snow and skiing bug hits you it appears, for the likes of Jon Hutchins, you will never give it up.

Jon has been visiting Mt Buller since 1978 when he first learned to ski.

He has had a close association with Buller and Mt Stirling for more than 45 years.

Jon Hutchins currently holds the position of Chair of the National Alpine Museums Australia board – a position he took on last year.

However, his association with the museum goes back to 1999 becoming the inaugural treasurer to what was then the Mt Buller Museum.

In 2022 Jon then took on the chairman’s role, a new position for him.

Previously he held positions on Mt Buller RMB (Business Manager), Mt Stirling RMB (executive Officer), Mt Buller Race Club (General Manager), Mt Hotham RMB (CEO/CFO) and Hotham Stakeholders Association (current).

After first taking up skiing on Mt Buller he then went to work on the mountain in 1998 and prior to that in 1996 became a resident of Mansfield.

Since taking on the chairman’s role Jon has seen several exciting things happen around the alpine areas; the unveiling of the Hans Grimus statue in May this year (keeping the legend’s history going), he has attended the Australian Snow Historical Associations Conference at Thredbo, also this year, and helped in the celebrations for Dr Michelle Stephenson’s doctorate and appointment as official curator for NAMA – based at Mt Buller.

Jon keeps busy with not only the chairman’s role but also holds several other roles including being on the advisory committee as Hotham Stakeholder Association representative for the Alpine Resorts Victoria (ARV).

Jon is married to wife Robyn, has three children and two grandchildren who all enjoy the snow; particularly the grandchildren who started their skiing experience once COVID-19 lockdowns finished.

Skiing for more than 45 years (he said he was a late starter) but enjoys skiing Buller North side runs on fresh snow, Men’s downhill and Federation.

But it is not only Mt Buller and Mt Stirling that Jon has strong associations with – he also travels to Thredbo, Falls Creek, Mt Hotham and during summer to Silverstar, Canada.