Victorian snow season best in more than a decade

Victoria has had its best snow season for more than a decade, statistics released recently show.

The figures show visitor numbers exceeded 708,600, which is up from 489,419 for the entire 2013 season.

They were announced by Environment and Climate Change Minister Ryan Smith, who said the significant increase in visitor numbers to the alps had provided an economic boost to various regions.

He said the figures showed that 149,000 people hit the slopes at Mount Buller, Mount Hotham, Falls Creek, Mount Baw Baw, Mount Stirling and Lake Mountain over the school holidays.

That was a 48 per cent increase over the same period last year.

Bright Chamber of Commerce president Tom Smith said the number of visitors to the town was better than last year and comparable to 2012.

He said some people stock up at Bright on the way through to Mount Hotham and Falls Creek and others stop on the way home.

“July was some of the best snow we have had for years,” Mr Smith said.

He said the skiing at Falls Creek was superb and it was the best snow he had skied on in Australia for that time of year.

The statistics make no reference to Mount Buffalo.

Mr Smith said there was early snow there and it was packed during school holidays with many people staying at Bright.

“That is probably where we get a lot of our business from,” he said.

“Buffalo is the hidden gem for snow play.”

Mr Smith said Mount Buffalo was more “family friendly” and a cheaper option than staying on the mountains.

He said it was an ideal time to stay at Bright during the winter months and quieter than later in the year.

“There is just so much to see and do here,” he said.

“There are 14 restaurants, 16 cafes and 43 coffee machines.”

The Environment and Climate Change Minister said the government had invested $36 million in the alpine resorts over the past four years to ensure they remained vibrant and financially sustainable.

“The alpine resorts make an important contribution to our economy, especially in regional Victoria,” Mr Smith said.