FOR the first time in its history, the Mogul Ski World Australian Interschools Championships have been cancelled due to lack of snow with Mt Buller determining that it could not maintain adequate conditions for the competition.
Snow Australia Interschools and Mt Buller issued a joint statement on Sunday, explaining that they had considered the options of running fewer events, shorter events, and all possible event site locations.
However, it was evident, given the mild weather forecast for the next seven days, that appropriate National Interschool level courses and event sites could not be built and maintained.
Event manager for the Victorian Interschool Snowsport Championships, David Spiers, said Mt Buller and Snow Australia Interschools did explore the option of relocating the event to another resort but it was not practical.
“We were committed to doing everything we possibly could to host the event,” he said.
“It is a very important event for all the children, families and schools that value it, as well as how much it contributes economically to Mt Buller and surrounds.
“We had conversations with other resorts in New South Wales but they are also struggling to keep key areas open.
“On top of that, mobilising the workforce and materials in seven days [to move] was going to have its own challenges.”
It comes after the 2023 Victorian Interschools wrapped up on the same day, with a near record number of students enjoying the competition despite warmer conditions.
Buller Ski Lifts general manager, Noel Landry, said it was a reluctant decision but the right one given the circumstances.
“Mt Buller has pulled off an incredibly successful Interschools for the Victorian Championships under challenging circumstances, and after a review of all the options it was determined we could not guarantee appropriate courses for the best in Australia to compete on next week,” he said.
“I’d like to acknowledge the effort and commitment the entire Interschools community puts into these events.
“It’s a highlight of the season and I want to congratulate all the athletes on their achievements and teamwork on show this week.”
The joint statement said any event entries, competitor and team manager lift passes that have been paid for will be refunded by Snow Australia.
Despite the bad news, Mr Spiers was confident future years’ competitions will be able to prevail.
“In the last 80 years we have had one or two poor years every decade as well as bumper seasons mixed in too,” he said.
“What is evident now is that those temperature variations are getting a little bit more erratic.
“It doesn’t mean we won’t have the snowfall or temperatures during the winters; it is just due to a whole range of things that line up when we need snow in July.
“It’s a little bit more volatile.”
Mr Spiers explained that Mt Buller was one of the first resorts in Australia to install third-generation snowmaking facilities – also known as SnowFactories - which can allow the resort to make snow in up to 20 degree weather.
“Our teams have been fixing bugs in that technology this year,” he said.
“It allowed for one of our event sites to be built to 100 per cent over the last two weeks, thanks to the SnowFactories.
“The government purchased SnowFactories for Mount Baw Baw and Thredbo and other resorts that will come online this coming summer.
“It gives that assurance if the temperatures don’t allow you to run traditional snowmaking systems.”
