VICTORIA'S peak body for snow resorts says multiple measures, both present and future, are helping to address the challenges of climate change to ensure the longevity of winter snow seasons in the state's alpine regions.
A report from Australian National University (ANU) released last month warns Australian alps are critically vulnerable to climate change and it forecast snow days at Hotham could drop by up to 28 days per season by 2050, and by up to 51 days at Falls Creek, with ski seasons across Australia estimated to be 44 days shorter by 2050 if the carbon pollution continues at its current rate.
Report co-author and ANU researcher Ruby Olson said trade-offs need to be made, but it can also be an opportunity for the region to transition to a “year-round haven” from increasing temperatures.
Alpine Resorts Victoria (ARV) CEO and avid snowboarder, Amber Gardner, said a plan is in place and that "climate change is nothing new for our alpine sector, we’ve long moved on sustainable initiatives”.
Ms Gardner said the industry won’t be winding up winter anytime soon, and there’s more to the numbers than meets the eye, so a more realistic and pragmatic approach is needed.
“While these studies are important, they are conducted on an-ad hoc basis with no or little engagement with industry and the lead stakeholders in the sector," she said.
"Because of this, they really fail to understand or model the positive impacts of collaborative adaption efforts occurring across the alpine resorts.”
Regardless, Ms Gardner said a plan is already in place at ARV.
“We have been planning ahead to sustain and optimise our winter season by investing in sustainable infrastructure....initiatives range from water tanks on mountain and solar, to an alpine nursery," she said.
Ms Gardner said ARV will be implementing emergency management plans that look at current energy usage and alternative energy options into the future next year.
“We’re developing our own climate change strategy in conjunction with key industry stakeholders," she said.
State and federal government funding has been secured by ARV to develop climate friendly initiatives, including a neighborhood battery project at Falls Creek.
“Integrated water management plans and solar trials are keeping the industry sustainable," Ms Gardner said.
"A strong winter is integral to our economy.”
Additional measure include an alpine nursery, investments in flora and fauna, state of the art water tanks, and solar trials.
While Victoria’s alpine resorts have generators and solar on mountain at Baw Baw, Mt Stirling, Mt Buller and Lake Mountain, power at Mt Hotham and Falls Creek is currently partnered with Red Energy.
“We are trialing solar; we’ve long been working with stakeholders to develop new initiatives,” Ms Gardner confirmed.
Ski lift operators have also been proactive with resort management over recent years, increasing snowmaking capabilities on-mountain while enhancing slopes to be able to operate in more marginal natural snow conditions.
The report ‘Our Changing Snowscapes: Climate Change Impacts and Recommendations for the Australian Alps’ predicts a hopeful future for snow seasons in Mt Hotham and Falls if measures are implemented to limit climate pollution.
