As the changing Australian climate creates greater conversation regarding snow reliability and season length, Alpine Resorts Victoria (ARV) is supporting the advancement with a range of climate-adaptive approaches that maximise snow retention, improve operational resilience, and reduce environmental impacts while also working closely with its ski lift partners to support and compliment their snow management methods and systems.
Snow within Victorian alpine resorts is actively managed across its entire lifecycle. Modern snowmaking systems provide a reliable base for key terrain, with ongoing investment in more sustainable inputs including renewable energy generation, battery storage, energy-efficient snow guns, and integrated water management planning (IWMP) to optimise water sourcing, storage, and use. Improvements in weather forecasting, water monitoring and operational decision-making also help ensure snowmaking occurs under optimal conditions, maximising efficiency and reducing resource consumption.
Once produced or naturally accumulated, snow is retained through a variety of techniques. Snow farming involves strategically stockpiling and redistributing snow to priority areas, while snow capture and reuse practices recover snow from accumulation zones and relocate it to areas where coverage is needed most. These approaches help extend season length and reduce the need for additional snow production.
The design and management of ski runs also play an important role in snow conservation. Glading and shading techniques, including the retention of appropriately spaced tree cover and vegetation adjacent to ski terrain, can reduce wind exposure and solar radiation, helping snow persist for longer periods. Natural landscape features are also used to promote snow deposition and reduce snow loss.
Snow grooming remains a critical adaptation measure with careful grooming and compaction improving snow density, assisting to reduce melt rates, creating a more durable snowpack, and working to preserve snow cover throughout fluctuating weather conditions. Advanced grooming practices using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technologies allow resorts to target snow distribution and retention where it delivers the greatest operational benefit.
Working together these measures represent a comprehensive climate-adaptive snow management approach, helping Victorian alpine resorts to maintain a safe and quality visitor experiences while improving resource efficiency and resilience in a changing environment.
Page last updated: 14/08/26