Last week’s 55cm snow dump on the slopes of Mt Dobson Skifield has the Foote family cautiously optimistic for the coming — and possibly their last — season.
The family created the skifield and have owned it since it opened in 1979, but it has just gone on the market.
In the meantime, though, the Footes are gearing up for the 2025 season, and hoping last week’s snow dump bodes well.
Director Allan Foote said he was ‘‘cautiously optimistic’’ for the coming season.
‘‘We’re very reliant on Mother Nature, so it’s a bit of a confidence boost that she can still deliver the white stuff.’’
Mr Foote said it was not unusual to have a May snowfall, but it was less common to get the amount that fell over Tuesday and Wednesday of last week.
The skifield was gearing up for the usual late June opening.
‘‘Most of our staff are in position and all of our maintenance and tasks are on target and up to date at the moment.
‘‘We’ll be trying to open just before the July school holidays, but they are quite early this year, so it might be a bit touch and go.’’
During the season, the field is staffed by a crew of 18, including four full-time snowsports instructors and four part-time instructors, as well as ski patrol, ticketing and food and beverage staff.
While some were locals, most moved in to the Mackenzie district to do the season.
Mr Foote said the skifield had gone on the market before — more than 10 years ago — but instead of completing a sale, he and his brother Bruce had then taken it on to try to take the business forward.
‘‘We’ve done as much as we can with what resources we have available — it’s time to hand it over for someone to take the reins and take it to the next level.’’
Real estate firm Bayleys had advised there were already some interested parties.
If the skifield sells, it will mark the end of an era for the Foote family; from Peter Foote who developed the business in the 1970s, to sons Richard, Allan and Bruce, and grandson Hayden, who had begun working in the maintenance team over the past couple of seasons.
Mr Foote said it took a minimum of four months to get organised and ready for the 12-week winter season — longer when any major developments were required.
