By STEVE BELLI, Mt Hotham Chamber of Commerce president

AS I write this the resorts of Hotham and Dinner Plain are abuzz with activity.

Chairs going on lifts, deliveries of stock, car park preparations are just a few of the many activities going on.

I often get asked, "What sort of season are we going to have?"

The response is usually "Ask me at the end of the season".

However this year seems to be summing up as a bit different.

The early signs from the weather boffins (who know a lot more than me) were essentially a bet both ways.

Coupled with talking with some of the folk that have been here a long time that know stuff, the info coming in now is starting to hedge towards a good whack of snow to arrive in time for opening weekend.

So, activity has increased exponentially in relation to getting our house "in order".

It's not without its challenges, as many of our businesses are a bit light on staff (a universal issue coming out of COVID) and then there is the issue of staff accommodation (but don't get me started on that).

We are all pumped for a massive season – accommodation and season pass sales are very healthy with some accommodation already sold out.

The advice is to book early otherwise you maybe heavily restricted on availability that suits.

At Hotham we are so looking forward to a "kinda" normal season in terms of government restrictions, but with the increase in visitation, all of us will be striving to offer the best service we can.

We ask for patience and understanding so we can deliver.

See you up on hill – after two years we are back on!

Get those snow dancing shoes on!