THE famous snow may be gone. But Mt Buller and Mt Stirling are ready to welcome walkers, riders and cool-escape explorers with earlier-than-usual green season activities from Saturday, November 11.

The date marks the start of summer experiences with a fun day of live entertainment and food in the Village, early access to Alpine trails, guided nature walks and the addition of new events including a photography competition and exhibition and school’s speed rock climbing challenge.

“It’s cool, beautiful and completely different up here during ‘green season’, as many locals know, and we’re thrilled to get so much of the resort open and accessible for visitors a month before the calendar officially declares the start of summer,” said resort management chief operating officer Mark Bennetts.

Work on summer preparations started ahead of schedule with the early snow-melt and the maintenance crew are promising a near-complete trail opening.

The green season event calendar is also already taking shape with firm favourites including the Summer Shred Sesh on December 2, long lunches, bike and running events back on the program for the 2023-24 summer.

There will also be some exciting new reasons to take a cool trip up to the mountains.

Australia’s first Via Ferrata climb is scheduled to open on Mt Buller ahead of the new year offering a thrilling new way to explore the sheer west face of the rocky peak.

This exhilarating “iron road” will enable safely harnessed climbers to traverse the rock face via metal fixtures, steps and bridges accessing previously unexplored aspects of the mountain and surrounding views.

“We love offering more ways for more people to enjoy it up here – in all seasons,” said Bennetts.

“We welcome wildflower lovers, mountain bikers, photographers, hikers, horse riders, frisbee golfers, road riders, trail strollers, fly-fishers, beer sippers, rock climbers, river-dippers, trail runners, stargazers, picnickers, trampolinists, foodies, forest bathers, geocachers, 4WD’ers and sunrise swooners with a wide variety of events and experiences.”

“For the bike tribe we’re happy to confirm every trail in the network will be ready to roll from 11 November, with Abom the only section awaiting a little more attention before it’s opened in December.”

“The skilled team from Contour Works are working closely with our crew to ensure the major refurbishments of recent years are maintained to deliver an enhanced ride.”

Road riders are already tackling the classic 16km climb from Mirimbah to the Mt Buller village, one of Victoria’s iconic seven peaks rides.

The cheerful orange village pump track is in the Village Square, the tennis court net is up and the disc golf course is ready.

Players can borrow racquets and discs from Alpine Central free of charge.

Plenty of accommodation options are available including a wide range of self-catering apartments, lodges, Alpine Retreat and the return of the Mt Buller Chalet Hotel for summer stays.

The Kooroora Hotel in the centre of the Mt Buller village is serving from November 1 with an all-day menu and hearty meals for dinner.

Alpine Retreat opens in December with a great pub atmosphere including bar, meals, darts and pool tables.

The licensed Buller Grocer is open throughout for supplies and snacks and the Mirimbah Store will have coffee and snacks for people enjoying Mirimbah Park and bike riders relaxing after descending the Delatite or Epic mountain bike trails.

All Terrain Cycles have expanded their fleet of TREK eBikes to meet the growing demand and are eager to welcome more mountain bike riders back to Buller and Stirling.

“The trail improvements in the past couple of years are significant and I’d say to anyone who’s not ridden here in a while to come back up and experience the transformation,” Bennetts said.

On neighbouring Mt Stirling, the roads reopen for 4WD access to Howqua Gap and the Circuit Road from Melbourne Cup day.

Hikers and 4WD enthusiasts will be able to visit Craigs Hut, Bridal Veil Falls, the cattleman huts, and the Stirling Summit with its 300 year old “Stirling Tree” - which is recognised in the National Trust of Australia’s Register of Significant Trees and came second in the 2016 Victorian Tree of the Year competition.

With a hot summer anticipated it’s a timely reminder that a cool escape to Mt Buller and Mt Stirling are close to anywhere in eh Shire.

There is plenty to explore and enjoy in the mountains – and consistently a refreshing 10 degrees cooler than the lowlands on a summer’s day.