Snowmaking at Mt Hotham

Officially opened by the Hon John Thwaites, the Victorian Minister for Water, Environment and Climate Change, the day-long forum covered numerous issues that have a significant impact on the viability of Australia's snow resorts.

The Alpine Resorts Co-ordinating council, snow-related businesses and numerous government agencies, accept climate-change is a reality. However, there is every reason to be confident, particularly when it generates about $500 million in Victoria and employs 6,500 people in regional Victoria.

The third Alpine Resorts Sustainability Forum attracted a record-number of delegates and a powerful array of speakers including sought-after Ross Honeywill Social Futurologist and doyen of consumer behaviour (who gave a thought-provoking session on NEO's and how the industry should explain what happens to its snowmaking water).

Luke Cartin, Vail's Environmental Manager, was another key presenter who is often referred to as "the encyclopedia of the mountain". Cartin, who has degrees in Science, Environmental Resource and Forest Engineering, gave an informative insight into how Vail, America's number one ski resort, embraces sustainability.

Vail has embarked on a $1 billion 'green' multi use village and is now 100% powered by wind.

Carin said :"My role includes ensuring there's habitat corridors, watering holes for wildlife, our lift towers are painted with muted colours, the snowmaking system is energy efficient and we minimise our carbon footprint. “My aim is to continually make steps every month to ensure we have a sustainable operation."

Bruce Leaver, first Assistant Secretary with Parks Australia, is currently leading the National Landscape Initiative which, in partnership with Tourism Australia, is selecting Australia's most superlative tourism experience for national and international marketing purposes.

The Australian Alps is a candidate area. Leaver said: "It is a unique place, a unique assemblage of features that stack up. "The Roof of Australia is an exotic surprise as Australia is 70% desert. We must focus on its evocative plant life, 660 species of gum trees, its serenity, alpine meadows, tall mountain forests, high country heritage and rugged diverse landscape."

Dr Ken Green (I'm just a rat catcher) also gave a valuable insight into the future of our cool climate fauna . Green, has 30 years of and has published 100 peer reviewed scientific papers on topics from seals on the ice to bogong moths carrying arsenic.

Alpine Ecologist Green said: "You can't predict the future it is in the lap of the gods. However, there will always be fluctuations, this year could be the biggest year on record.

"Whilst the snowline has moved up data from CSIRO suggests an altitude of 1650 metres fits in with the degree of warming that is taking place."

Going Green:

Falls Creek Ski Lifts use 100% renewable energy to power its most important ski lift the Falls Creek Express Quad Chairlift that provides easy access to the resort’s purpose-built, family-friendly, Kids Snowsports School.

Falls Creek Resort Management (FCRM) is currently trialling the use of environmentally friendly bio diesel with South Australian based Australian Farmers Fuel. The intention is to use this ground-breaking product in its village transport to reduce carbon emissions.

About 80% of water used by the increased array of energy-efficient snow making machines is recycled into the hydro storage dam which is the highest alpine lake in Australia.

A pilot recycling project (By Falls Creek Resort Management) will result in all its bio degradable waste composted at Howmans Gap.