THE 2024 snow season was officially launched at Mt Buller over the King's Birthday weekend by the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Action, the Hon. Steve Dimopoulos MP, who also announced the key findings of new research commissioned by Alpine Resorts Victoria (ARV) highlighting the significant and enduring economic, social and environmental contribution of the alpine sector to Victoria and Victorians.

The report into the Economic Contributions & Benefits of Victoria’s Alpine Resorts​ found the sector contributes $2.14 billion to Victoria’s overall annual economic activity.

The report also highlighted that the six alpine resorts – Falls Creek, Mt Hotham, Mt Buller, Mt Stirling, Mt Baw Baw and Lake Mountain - contribute to a diverse range of economic benefits for regional areas including over 12,000 regional jobs, and not only contribute economically, but also create social and environmental benefits for all Victorians.

The opening weekend festivities also highlighted a significant milestone at Mt Buller which commemorated 100 years since Ski Club of Victoria members scoped out potential skiing on the mountain in early June 1924, and the centenary of the first turns made on its slopes on July 6 that year, marking the birth of the Mt Buller resort.

Commenting on the season opening and the findings of the new report, ARV CEO Amber Gardner said Victoria’s alpine resorts had much to celebrate.

“Today there is great cause for excitement for our resorts as Mt Buller marks 100 years of skiing”, she said.

“The longevity of our industry as represented by that milestone, along with the new report’s findings of the industry’s significant and positive contribution to the lives of Victorians are also good news for our alpine resorts now and into the future.”

Ms Gardner said the report provided much-needed data about the critical role alpine resorts play in regional visitor economies.

“Each year nearly 1.4 million visitors enjoy the alpine environment’s broad offering of nature-based tourism experiences, sustaining thousands of on-mountain businesses and making a significant contribution to the economies of surrounding towns in regional Victoria”, she said.

“In the High Country alone, the resorts account for a third of total visitation to the region, so act as the economic backbone of regional communities.

“The resorts are significant employers, and in addition to the economic benefits they generate, also provide important environmental, health and social benefits to the community.

"The findings also show visitors to our resorts are healthier and more productive members of society, and ecosystems benefit from environmental programs delivered by Alpine Resorts Victoria."