Ben Cinati’s ski hire shop sits in the shadow of Victoria’s Mount Bogong, which would normally still maintain a dusting of snow at this time of year.
Instead, Victoria’s highest peak, which overlooks Tawonga and Mount Beauty, is mostly green with only some spots of white remaining.
It has been the second consecutive early end to the ski season at nearby Falls Creek ski resort.
Mr Cinati said that, along with the impending arrival of his child, contributed to his family’s decision to close the business after 45 years.
“The lack of snow in the last two years has been a challenge,” he said.
“There’s no-one business within the industry that’s doing really well, everyone’s hit the same, so everyone kind of looks after each other.”
Mr Cinati’s stepfather started the Bogong Ski Centre in 1979.
The Bogong ski shop is closing down 45 years after it first opened. (ABC Goulburn Murray: Jason Katsaras )
A recent report from climate change advocacy group, Protect Our Winters, found that under current emissions the length of Australian ski seasons will decline by 2030.
However, it stated the alpine regions would likely begin to bounce back if global emissions were drastically reduced.
Despite the warm temperatures, Mr Cenati remains confident that bumper snowfall will return.
Region-wide challenges
All six of Victoria’s ski resorts closed early this winter, including Mount Buller which closed on September 1, the earliest end to a season there since 1982.
Lifts closed at nearby Mount Hotham on September 4.
The issue is also being felt in New South Wales, with resorts closing early in Kosciuszko National Park.
Falls Creek Chamber of Commerce president Michelle Lovell said the compounding effect of missed seasons during the COVID-19 pandemic alongside the shorter seasons had been difficult.
“Most of the businesses up here or many of them have been around for a long time and they’re used to having one bad season followed by a good season,” she said.
“But to have all of those factors compounding and affecting business operations, I guess it’s meant that belts have had to be tightened in places that perhaps they haven’t had to previously.”
Michelle Lovell says it’s been a challenging couple of years for businesses. (Supplied: Michelle Lovell)
President of the Mount Hotham Chamber of Commerce, Steve Belli, said that despite the second consecutive early season end, locals were confident longer winters would return.
“We’re not packing up our bags and going home,” he said.
“It’s a cyclic thing we do see over the years — we’ve had some good seasons and bad seasons.
“We’re definitely due for a good one, let’s put it that way.”
Steve Belli says locals are hopeful a good snow season is around the corner. (ABC Goulburn Murray: Supplied)
Priced out
The high cost of going to the snow is considered another contributing factor to business decline in Australia’s alpine regions.
Ms Lovell said she while she was aware of cost concerns in the community, there were many ways “to keep that price down”.
“It can be seen as becoming unaffordable, but realistically, there are many, many options,” she said.
“It’s all about booking way ahead.
“The further you book the more money you can save and then there’s lots of ways to save for a ski holiday in general.”
Snowfall at Hotham in October 2023. (Supplied: Scott De Vries)
Mr Cinati said the increasing prices of things such as lift passes was keeping people away.
“For the last three or four years, it seems like [resort management] have driven away the day tripper,” he said.
“Our business was basically built around the day tripper.”
He said he had noticed a shift in the customers visiting the store.
“[It’s] definitely more mid to upper-class families,” he said.
“More so than just the complete novice who’s wanting to go to the snow for the first time.”
Mr Cinati says there is usually more snow on Mount Bogong at the start of September. (ABC Goulburn Murray: Jason Katsaras )
Looking forward
Mount Beauty barista Ellie Jones has worked five winters at Falls Creek.
She said despite the costs, those who do make it are thrilled to get to the snow, and she felt optimistic for the future.
“I think everyone just tries to stay positive,” she said.
“Maybe next year’s the year that we just get this absolutely amazing season where we get powder days all winter.
“There’s such amazing things to see over here, whether it’s in winter or summer and I would hate for everyone to write it off, because I think anything can happen.”
The owner of the Falls Creek and Hotham ski resorts, Vail Resorts, was contacted for comment.
