Ben Lomond: Massive changes for 2023 snow season amid $1m spend

Tasmania’s premier snow sports destination has unveiled one of the biggest new investments in its history, with the possibility that future seasons could be up to triple the length. SEE THE PLANS

Ben Lomond Alpine Resort managing director Ben Mock with two of four new Italian-imported TechnoAlpin snow guns. Picture: Supplied

Transformational changes have been announced for one of Tasmania’s premier snowsports destinations, with Ben Lomond Alpine Resort set to debut four new state-of-the-art snow guns to blanket the slopes and a new base development with cafe, hire equipment and retail.

Resort managing director Ben Mock told the Mercury the purchase of four new TechnoAlpin snow guns, a new snow groomer, and construction of the Ben Lomond Base, was a “gamechanger... a major leap forward”.

The TechnoAlpin TR10 guns, imported from Italy, are expected to produce an average of 15,000 cubic metres of snow per season, covering a 250m by 60m patch of slope area with up to 1m of snow.

Ben Lomond Alpine Resort lift operation staff. Picture: Supplied

“In conjunction with our new snow groomer this is a game changer for not only the length of the season at Ben Lomond, which could easily triple a typical season length, but also the snow condition will far exceed what has been offered in the past,” Mr Mock said.

Back down the mountain, the resort has lodged plans with the City of Launceston to construct the new Ben Lomond Base at 3420 Blessington Rd, Upper Blessington, at the corner of Ben Lomond Rd.

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The base will feature two buildings, one a custom shed that will be for the in-house hire of equipment such as snowboards, skis, vehicle chains and toboggans, with the other building for general retail and a licensed cafe/restaurant. An on-site food van/kiosk would serve hot meals and takeaway options for people heading up, and coming off, the mountain.

“We will be offering a counter service initially that will cater for breakfast and takeaway food for people venturing up the mountain in the morning,” Mr Mock said.

“We will also have some all-day offerings and will focus on people coming down off the mountain during the afternoon.

Ben Lomond Alpine Resort staff Jeanette Elms and Mahalia Smith enjoy the heavy snowfall. Picture: File

“We also intend to offer bar facilities as part of that afternoon offering.

“The development will include an extensive deck area, and a grassed area with a fire pit for people to enjoy on their way home.”

With the addition of in-house equipment hire, the resort would be able to, for the first time, offer all-in-one packages for day-trippers, costing $135 for adults and $89 for children.

Ben Lomond Alpine Resort managing director Ben Mock driving a snow groomer. Picture: Supplied

Included in the package would be an all-day lift pass, ski/snowboard hire, and boots and poles. Vehicle chains could be hired for an additional $40. Season passes will also be offered.

“We’ll have a fleet of 250 skis, 150 boards, plenty of chains, toboggans and the works,” Mr Mock said.

In future, a bus service from Launceston and the Base to the top of the mountain would be considered.

Mr Mock said the company’s total investment in the current projects was close to $1 million.