IN a season that has already been hampered by restrictions, lack of snow at the worst time and a positive COVID case, Mt Buller took yet another big hit last week when the State Government advised all Victorian alpine resorts are closed to visitors as part of its stage 3 restrictions across regional Victoria.

From last Thursday visitors were no longer permitted to enter the Mt Buller and Mt Stirling resorts, with any breaches eligible for a significant fine.

“It’s been a very difficult year for everyone associated with Mt Buller and Mt Stirling including visitors, businesses, residents and resort staff,” said Mt Buller and Mt Stirling Resort chief executive officer Mark Bennetts.

“Closure of the resorts to visitors as part of the stage 3 coronavirus restrictions is the latest in a series of incredibly difficult challenges.

“We also recognise the significant impact the closure is having on businesses within the resort and Mansfield, who can only make money during this time of the year.”

Permanent residents, seasonal residents and on-mountain staff are permitted to remain living within the resort during these stage 3 restrictions.

The stay at home restrictions apply to everyone living within the resort who are only to leave their accommodation for one of the four allowed reasons, and only if wearing a face covering.

“The RMB (Resort Management Board) has updated signs on the way to the resorts, closed the road at Mirimbah to all visitors, and will use the number plate recognition system to identify visitor vehicles breaching stage 3 restrictions by entering the resorts,” said Mr Bennetts.

“Permanent residents, seasonal residents and resort staff living at Mt Buller will be issued with permits allowing them to re-enter the resorts if they leave for one of the four permitted reasons such as to shop for essential items within Mansfield – but this does not include travelling to and from Melbourne.”

The RMB said they will continue to provide core services, although there may be some reductions such as the frequency of road clearing and rubbish removal, the hours of operation of reception and the post office, and whether there is a need for any medical centre or transportation services.

The playgrounds at Mirimbah and within the Mt Buller Village have already been closed.

Further, the government has confirmed the on-mountain supermarket can continue to operate, takeaway food and beverage outlets can continue to operate, people living within the resort can continue to exercise outdoors including cross country skiing, but ski lifts cannot operate.

Buller Ski Lifts confirmed lift operations and related services including ski and snowboard school were suspended last Thursday for the duration of the stage 3 restrictions.

It is possible, with public health restrictions and snow conditions permitting, that the ski area may be able to re-open after September 13.

“With strong snowfall on the way, the RMB and Buller Ski Lifts remain hopeful of being able to re-open to visitors later in the season if there is an easing of restrictions,” said Mr Bennetts.

But once the snow is gone, the RMB expects to undertake its usual summer preparations in the hope that people will be able to return and enjoy the “cool climate, fresh air, stunning views, walking trails, mountain bike trails, rivers, camping, horse riding, four wheel driving and everything else that the mountains and region have to offer".

Though it has been one of the toughest seasons ever suffered, Mr Bennets said they will endure.

“Everyone who’s been part of the Mt Buller and Mt Stirling team that has managed to open the resorts and welcome skiers and boarders for 44 days of the 2020 snow season so far can be proud of their efforts,” he said.

“People working within the snow industry are a hardy lot, strengthened through dealing with the highs and lows in snow fall and visitor numbers over many years, and we hope this sustains them through this very difficult time and that we’ll all be able to bounce back strongly in the 2021 snow season.”