Mt Buffalo needs your help to re-open. Get in on the ground floor with one group of dedicated snow lovers dedicated to seeing this first timer’s mountain return to glory.
Benjamin Mock and James Cottee are working hard to relaunch Mt Buffalo and published this extensive Expression of Interest Proposal outlined below on their www.mtbuffalo.com website.
Mt Buffalo Cresta Reopen Expression of Interest Proposal
Commercial in Confidence Copyright 2015
Our aim is to reopen the Mt Buffalo Cresta ski area back to its former glory and to generate tourism to Mt Buffalo, North East Victoria and surrounding towns with the vision of providing an affordable first time ski, board and snow play area for novices through to advanced riders.
How?
We have been working with Technoalpin Snowmaking Experts with designs for Cresta and thus been given a master plan of snowmaking infrastructure, which was designed back in 2005 and is still relevant today.
The equipment is efficient, automated and provides many resorts over the world and a majority of the resorts here in Australia with snowmaking. Cresta in the past has had snowmaking, but with inefficient old technology.
This equipment can produce snow from -1c and 95% Humidity with their equipment, and with automation, it ensures faster start up times for snowmaking to ensure that all time between temperatures windows are utilised.
Machine made snow providing a base will be complimented with any natural snowfalls through the season. Machine made snow is more dense, bonds closer together from smaller water particles and lasts longer than natural snow that is not compressed by grooming.
As there is currently snowmaking pipes underground, there will not be a need at this stage to install any new pipes until they are pressure tested for leaks. If there are a few minor leaks they can be patched and an assessment can be determined to whether they are replaced in the near future.
The Current snowmaking would cover the Novice Poma area and Valley Double chairlift area, with the possible option of extending it to cover the longer Cresta Double Chair areas for the first season as well.
Snowmaking Coverage and Plan
Snow Play/Tobogganing
A toboggan area, safe for all to use would be made available with gentle grades of tobogganing for young ones through to a more longer grades providing it’s. The snow would be groomed each day to ensure safety and presentation.
Snow play only area will be made available to build snowmen, throw a snowball etc… out of the way of tobogganers and ski hill users beside the toboggan area.
Ski Lifts
Currently 5 lifts are on site at Cresta;
Cresta Poma / International Poma
Gully Poma
Cresta Valley Chair
Valley Double Chair
Novice Poma / Tbar
All lifts will require work to be carried out, some are still in fair condition and others not. All lifts will need to be mechanically sound, approved by work cover for safe use by all. As Parks Victoria currently own the lift infrastructure, we would negotiate in restoring the lifts to full operation.
I have spoken with Maurie Copsey at length who runs Ski field Engineering Services and has extensive knowledge on the lifts at Cresta. He would be assigned the task of maintenance and certification process and has provided costs up around the $200K mark to get the lifts operating.
At this stage we would look restoring one or both chairs, novice poma and gully poma depending on costs. Maurie’s advice is that both chairlifts will require new grips as they were destroyed in the fire and new chair hangers. The haul cable may need to be changed but may be still able to work if certified. Any recommendations will be adhered to by the experts and regular maintenance carried out.
The international poma/Cresta poma being more advanced terrain would be looked into and would only operate under good snow conditions, although the snowmaking master plan has this area covered, it would be in a later stage. We would most likely not run this for the first 1 or 2 seasons.
Snow Grooming
Currently there are 2 groomers at Mt Buffalo fair working order, to which we would consider utilising and maintaining. A purchase of a newer second hand groomer would be definitely sought from neighbouring resorts. These can fetch between $15k to $35k depending on age, wear and tear.
We would use these machines to push snow, groom, move snow guns and if negotiated with Parks Victoria consider maintaining / groom Nordic trails under an agreement to keep it all under the same banner.
Toilet Facilities
With no permanent facilities on site and only portable toilets we, would consider installing / renting toilet blocks with low water usage which are pre-fabricated shipping containers for now.
An investigation into a septic system installation with approval from the Parks would be required. From discussions we would tie this into the area close to the original septic system from the lodges prior the 2007 fires.
Retail, Food and Beverage, Tickets
There are a few options available.
Season 1 Temporary.
An event marquee large enough to hold 200 indoor seats would be hired with gas heating, floor boards with marine grade carpet would be erected. Ski hire would be contracted out to a winning operator; most likely a local operator near by or we would provide this in house. We have been given a price on 400 pairs of skis, stocks and boots from Mt Selwyn to which they are willing to sell to us.
We would provide food and beverage and would consider hiring a portable kitchen large enough to cater for large numbers before installing anything permanent for the second season.
Ticket offices would be a demountable building close to the entrance.
Permanent Buildings
On idea at this stage is a permanent building for season 2 and beyond. We would enquire about purchasing a structure similar to the images below or look at something more permanent. The building pictured below is produced by an American company called Sprung, and have many of these structures in the USA.
Ski Patrol
We would provide a ski patrol office room, first aid facilities and always have ski patrol within the resort during the season. I have spoken to ASPA director Peter Mobray and he is happy to help out and provide assistance.
General Waste
A contract would be agreed to with the local council or waste removal operator with a focus on recycling as well as a no litter policy around the resort.
Car Parking
The current car park would be available with car parking marshals on duty during busy days ensuring correct parking. This would extend either side on the road to safe places.
In the event of busier days where the car park may overflow, we would look at implementing a shuttle bus from the dingo del car park if affordable to do so.
Funding
The most important part of this project to get Mt Buffalo lifts back up and running is finance and the popularity of affordable skiing.
There is a huge market in the community who can’t afford to start their snow experience at the major resorts as the costs can be out of their range.
To start off, if Parks agree to possible grant a lease under terms and conditions agreed to by both parties, we would do the following to raise capital.
Launch our website and Facebook page, media releases, contact North Eastern Tourism and other forms of media. Let the public know that we have a lease and would get the facility up and running for 2016 and beyond. Pre Sell stage 1 limited season passes for adults $299 and children $199, 1000 of each would only be available.
After they sell out, the price would rise by a minimum of $150, but if they sell quickly, we may decide to increase the quota. Payment would not be taken until 75% of tickets are booked.
Money raised would go towards getting lift infrastructure in working order as well as other critical infrastructure.
Snowmaking equipment would be ordered in October to arrive by Feb 2016. Next orders arrive mid June.
Where to now?
It is vital that we put the word out to the public during this current winter season so that we can generate the publicity effectively, if we aim too late, people will generally start to think about summer and Christmas etc and we will loose our momentum.
We would like to launch the website by mid to late August 2015 with prices, vision, bookings and other information.
Start up costs
We have taken rough costs for lifts restoration from Maurie Copsey and over estimating the amount for 3 lifts is around $450,000.
Snowmaking would be leased with rental terms yet to be determined, price estimate $500,000 for 10-12 Snow guns stage 1. Pumps, pipes and generators we estimate $30,000.
Retail and ticketing, toilets, admin buildings and temporary buildings $100,000.
Groomers $30,000
$360,000 approx.
Pre-sale Season Tickets for the season $498,000
Predicted Sales Forecast
We estimate at worst to turn over $600,000 over a 60 day season (typically 90 days) $10,000 a day.
However we have also taken a fair-minded approach of a good season, from opening weekend, including school holidays to mid September.
We estimate an average spend per head or person to be approximately $110. Over 80 days an average season with approximately 38,000 visitors, or a more conservative number of 25,000 visitors 250 people per skier day we estimate a maximum turnover of $2,200,000 per year minimum.
Hopefully we aim for sales in the middle at around $1.2m for the season, expenses will need to come out of this amount.
Government Grants
Our initial investigation into Federal Government Grants given our proposal to them, we are eligible up to $500,000 for the first year or operation. This is supported with the high possibility of regional growth, employment, tourism and overnight accommodation.
Closing
We believe this will be a great opportunity to re-open a once loved resort, visited by many in the past and it would be a lost opportunity if the former resort was left to deteriorate even further and not be given a second chance at life.
With the possible refurbishment of the Chalet in the future, both attractions will work both hand in hand and be a major positive for Mt Buffalo, Parks Victoria and the local community.
Dreamers – they have zero idea