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New grassroots movement to change the way ski areas are run

The US-based Mountain Riders Alliance has now gone global:

Bon Accord spur, VIC

“A new paradigm is emerging in ski area management: one that’s globally-based, rider-centric, environmentally sustainable, sensitive to local needs, and skier-and-snowboarder-owned

“Rising lift ticket costs, negative impacts on ski communities and the environment, and the desire to combat climate change have all led concerned skiers and snowboarders to form a global collaborative group, Mountain Rider’s Alliance (MRA).

“MRA is a movement of snow enthusiasts who are dedicated to changing the ways ski areas are run. MRA’s mission is to create rider-owned-and-operated ski areas that are rider-centric, environmentally sustainable and sensitive to local cultural, social and economic concerns”.

For the full announcement, check here.

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Get out of the resort – and into the Side Country!

With the fantastic snowfalls of the past week, theres no shortage of great skiing and boarding options across the Alps.

But many of the backcountry destinations are equally fantastic. For people not experienced in backcountry trips (often remote, and sometimes requiring long access) a good ‘warm up’ option is to get out in the ‘side country’ – those areas just outside ski resorts with easy access.

This quick guide canvasses some of the options available close to Mount Hotham in Victoria. There are similar opportunities at almost every other resort in the country.

The guide is available here.

BE AWARE that there is some avalanche risk with a number of these slopes at present. If you’re not familiar with avalanche risk assessment, please don’t visit these areas.

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almost 2 metres in August!

The winter that started slow has turned into an incredible season. Almost 2 metres of snow has fallen in higher areas of the Alps this month and the current batch of powder is deep and dry and gives some incredible skiing and boarding.

There are updates on snow conditions on the Mountain Watch website.

These are just a few random images from the Hotham area from today.

Be aware that there is some avalanche risk in back country areas such as along the Razorback.

The current gos on the mountain (friday 27th) is that the Hotham – Harrietville road will be open by lunchtime today.

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Louise Perrin

First snow. Image: Louise Perrin

Louise Perrin is Environmental Manager for the Mt Buller and Mt Stirling Alpine Resort Management Board. She has been the driving force behind an innovative – and very successful – recovery plan for the endangered Mountain Pygmy Possum.

The possum is the only native mammal that lives in the alpine environment above the treeline and its habitat is threatened by development, climate change and introduced flora and fauna.

The Recovery Plan for the species on Mt Buller was developed in 2005. It contains a range of actions to assist in the continued survival and conservation of the Mountain Pygmy-possum on the mountain. This has relied on substantial support from the Resort Board, the ski lift company, and the Department of Sustainability and Environment, and has even involved the construction of boulder fields to create habitat for the animals.

In spite of the pressures from ski field development through its habitat, the fires of 2007, and the longer term impacts of climate change on alpine environments, the Mt Buller project is a showcase of a program which has helped bring a species back from the brink of extinction.

Lou says “I just want to do my best to ensure that my kids can enjoy this little patch of alpine Australia as much as I do”. But her contribution to this effort has been huge and deserves widespread acknowledgement.

There is a profile on Lou here.

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Protect our Winters video

Protect Our Winters was created as a way to bring the winter sports community together to fight climate change and its effects on our mountains.

It is the environmental center point of the winter sports community, united towards a common goal of reducing climate change’s effects on our sport and local mountain communities.

POW has just released their 2010 trailer video.

You can watch it here.
For details on POW in Australia, check here.

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Alpine Traditional Owners re-asserting their rights

If you walk into the town square in the Victorian ski village of Mt Buller, you will be greeted by a sculpture of a mountain cattleman on his horse. In all of the ‘high country’ towns of south eastern Australia and throughout the ski resorts, there is a pre-occupation with the history of the cattle families that, for generations, drove their stock into the mountains.

Clouds over Rocky Ridge, Taungurung country, VIC

There are roads, buildings, and events all named after these pioneers, stickers on cars, photos and sculptures, and endless homage to these tough people and their way of life.

But where are the images or mention of the Indigenous people who lived in this country for perhaps 1,000 generations?

The Australian Alps have been inhabited by indigenous nations for millennia. But as Taungurung man Mick Harding said recently “we were removed from our lands” by the invaders and “scattered to the four winds”. But over the past decade or so, a growing number of people and communities have been re-establishing connection to their country.

There is a story of this process here.

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Hotham re-development quietly shelved

The much lauded but controversial major re-development of the Mount Hotham alpine village was quietly shelved last month. This long awaited $500 million major restructure of the village would have seen the Great Alpine Road re-routed through the village and was predicated on the major ‘Bale’ re development proceeding. Bale was expected to deliver another 1,414 beds to the village. The global financial crisis was billed as being the main reason the project is not proceeding.

Hotham Village

This marks the end of a long running and concerted plan by big business to damage the mountain resort, and the lapse of the current proposal is good news for any one who wants to see our alpine resorts remain (relatively) diverse and accessible to a range of people.

This is most welcome news. For a full report check here.

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Melbourne, 10 June, 2010.  Protect Our Winters (POW), the global environmental foundation founded in 2007 by legendary pro snowboarder Jeremy Jones, is broadening their reach this winter by opening a local chapter in Australia.
Protect Our Winters (POW) is a US-based non-profit organisation dedicated to reversing the global warming crisis by uniting and mobilising the global winter sports community. Jeremy has witnessed first-hand the impact of climate change on our mountains.

“POW was founded on the idea that if we harness our collective energy and put forth a focused effort, the winter sports community can have a direct influence on minimizing the damage that’s been done and ensure that winters are here for generations behind us”, said Jones.

Full report here.

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Have your say on the future of the alpine resorts

The Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Alpine Resorts Co-ordinating Council are reviewing the Alpine resorts 2020 Strategy. The strategy was created to guide the the long term planning and management of Victoria’s six alpine resorts.

Mount Buller, VIC

DSE and ARCC will be hosting a series of workshops in June to identify key trends and issues for the future of resorts and look at how the new strategy can address these issues.

Workshops will be held in Melbourne and at or near the six resorts from June 1 until June 23. You need to rsvp for the events.
hayley.hollis@dse.vic.gov.au

For details on the workshops, check here.

For details on the existing Resorts 2020 strategy, check here.

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winter on its way

Woo hoo. With another good dusting across the Alps in the last week, thoughts turn to the big questions: when will we get that first big dump? What trips am I going to do? Do I need any new gear?

Looking across the Bogong High Plains towards the east face of Feathertop, VIC

A few links that might help the pre season prep:

gear. The Green and sustainable gear site brings together information and listings on green and ethical outdoor gear, including whatever is still produced locally;

our carbon footprint. Here in Australia, a trip to the snow usually means a lot of hours sitting in a car. But most resorts are well serviced by buses. Perhaps think of doing at least one trip a year by bus, as a practical way of reducing your impact. The Keep Winter Cool site has a carbon calculator so you can measure – and hopefully – reduce the impacts of your next car-based trip

sunscreen. Up high, just that bit closer to the sun, we need our sunblock. But what about the hidden nasties? Check here for a guide to nano free sunscreens.

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new Chair of the Alpine Resorts Co-ordinating Council announced

Des Powell has been appointed as the new Chair of the Alpine Resorts Co-ordinating Council (ARCC) in Victoria.

The Council is a statutory body established under the Victorian Alpine Resorts Management Act 1997. It reports to the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, and it’s key function includes planning for and facilitation of “the establishment, development, promotion, management and use of alpine resorts” in the state.  It will be very interesting to see how Des steers the ARCC in coming years.

Given this has been announced via the Australian Financial Review, I expect there will be something on the ARCC website soon.

Hotham Central, VIC
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Alpine Resorts Sustainablity Forum 2010 – Friday 7 May 2010

“The Alpine Sustainability Forums are an established annual highlight of Australia’s alpine industry calendar. It is a “must attend” event for key people involved in alpine resorts across Australia. It brings together delegates from resorts across Australia to listen, workshop, and be exposed to leading edge ideas and actions”.

This year’s forum is being held at Mt Buller.

Details of the Forum, including Registration Booklet and Registration Form, are available here.

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