Strong winds lash across Victoria as snow season kicks off early

Blizzard conditions have brought more snow one week before the season’s official opening, while strong winds are lashing the state.

SES crews work to remove a fallen tree at Lake Mountain. Picture: Facebook

Strong and damaging winds are forecast to lash across the state as skiers continue to enjoy an early start to the snow season in the high country.

A SES spokesman said there were 43 call-outs in Victoria overnight with Frankston, Lilydale and Otway units responding to majority of incidents surrounding fallen trees.

The Bureau of Meteorology warned damaging winds gusts would continue on Sunday over central inland Victoria and southern coastal areas.

Blizzard conditions and significant wind gusts are also expected over the alpine areas.

Mt Buller saw strong winds of up to 111km/h at 5.52am on Sunday, Falls Creek 102km/h at 6.26am and Mt William 96km/h at 1.34am.

⚠️DAMAGING WIND GUSTS over central inland Victoria & southern coastal areas. BLIZZARD conditions over alpine areas.
Significant wind gusts include:
Mt Buller 111km/h @ 5:52am
Falls Creek 102km/h @ 06:26am
Mt William 96km/h @ 1:34am#VicWeather
Details: https://t.co/mVDtDzy4M4pic.twitter.com/9INCfJIn0k

— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) June 4, 2022

This comes as ski resorts welcomed back skiers and snowboarders on Saturday for the first full season in two years.

Due to a cold snap and strong snowfalls, Mt Buller has had more than 35cm of snow since the start of the snowstorm on May 30.

It’s expected between 40cm and 70cm of snow will fall at Mt Buller across the weekend.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Matthew Thomas said the significant cold front would cross early on Sunday morning.

“There’s likely to be a little more falling across Mt Hotham and Falls Creek,” Mr Thomas said.

“Winds will become strong and gusty during Saturday with the potential for blizzard conditions on Sunday as the second front crosses.”

Big price changes coming to snow resorts

The icy blast that has swept across Victoria has delighted snowsport enthusiasts – but they will be paying more to slide down the slopes.

For the first time since 2019, Victorian ski resorts will open on Saturday ahead of time.

Snow goers looking to get in early will pay $90 for a single day at Mt Buller before a series of price rises starting on June 11.

Adult lift passes will cost between $107 and $184 across the rest of the ski season at Mt Buller.

A single day lift pass at Mt Hotham tops out at $185 booking online ahead of arrival, and Falls Creek is yet to release lift pass pricing for the 2022 season.

In 2020, a single-day lift pass in July cost skiers $136, compared to this year’s $184 – a 24 per cent increase in two years.

Mt Buller also offers riders “dynamic passes” with no set pricing.

The prices are dependent on available terrain, snowfall, and operational lifts for skiers and snowboarders.

“We price our tickets on the varied terrain available, it’s always scaled and as we get more terrain open and lifts turning,” Mt Buller spokesman Rhylla Morgan said.

Victorians will soon pay more for a day at the snow at ski fields across the state.

Ms Morgan said she encouraged families to look for mid week deals and book online.

“We are recommending that people look to be flexible and ski midweek. you get to ski like a local,” she said

“If people are still able to work flexibly this will be the year to shake up your routine this winter.”

Vehicles travelling to Mt Buller or Mt Stirling this winter will pay $62 on top of their lift passes for a day in the snow when entering the national park.

Victorians looking to make the most of the first full winter season in two years are urged to book ahead with multi day tickets that include meals and equipment hire.

Travellers to the Alpine region can expect two cold fronts across Victoria, the first early on Saturday morning.

Matthew Thomas, senior forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology said the other more significant front would cross early on Sunday morning.

Between 40-70cm of snow can be expected to fall at Mt Buller across the weekend.

“There’s likely to be a little more falling across Mt Hotham and Falls Creek,” Mr Thomas said.

“Winds will become strong and gusty during Saturday with the potential for blizzard conditions on Sunday as the second front crosses.”