RELATED: Bright side of snow much fun
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IT is still a couple of weeks before the Victorian snow season closes.
But it has already been a bumper year with a huge number of visitors to the alps.
The weather conditions provided the best snow for years.
That in turn attracted an influx of visitors and figures released by Environment and Climate Change Minister Ryan Smith show at least 218,000 extra people made trips compared with last year.
There was a 48 per cent increase in numbers with 149,000 going to Mount Buller, Mount Hotham, Falls Creek, Mount Baw Baw, Mount Stirling and Lake Mountain over school holidays.
The financial windfall for places like Bright and Mount Beauty is significant.
But the real winner from the Bright Chamber of Commerce’s point of view is the unheralded Mount Buffalo.
Families with restricted budgets go there, with many booking accommodation in nearby Bright.
Mount Buffalo has plenty of facilities and provides a cheaper option.
The government has invested $36 million in the alpine resorts over the past four years to ensure they remain vibrant and sustainable.
It is hoped that Mount Buffalo gets support and is not overlooked.