Snow fields plan gets a warm reception

They are also worried that the cost of snow-making will be passed on to the public via more expensive lift tickets.

Alpine Enterprises spokesman Eryl Williams, who has spent 38 seasons on Ben Lomond, said he believed it was too humid on the mountain to make snow, although technology was advancing so quickly that it might one day be possible.

Mr Williams said that mainland ski resorts incorporated the cost of snow-making into the price of ski lift tickets, increasing the price by as much as $12.

Alpine Enterprises runs six lifts on Ben Lomond, with a day pass costing $28.

``I am very sceptical. I don't think people will pay an extra $12 for snow-making when the runs are so limited on this mountain. But it's a chicken-and-egg situation, you only find out if you try it,'' Mr Williams said.

``You've got to dream dreams but also be very practical about it. This is the most marginal ski field in Australia. You have good seasons and you have bad seasons.''

Gateway Tasmania and Business North have unveiled a plan seeking to boost visitor numbers to Ben Lomond and guarantee a ski season from June to October by grooming the slopes, installing snow-making machines, constructing a dam for snow-making and connecting power to the mountain.

They estimate the total cost would be $2 million, with both the State and Federal Governments to be targetted for funding.

Ben Lomond Creek Inn owner Patrick Maguire was yesterday enthusiastic about the proposal.

``This is the first I've heard of the idea but it's very welcome,'' Mr Maguire said.

``Snow-making would be a great boost to skiing on Ben Lomond and would definitely extend the season. Nothing to my knowledge has ever been done to test snow-making here. But I do know that just before the season starts we get very cold, very clear, very dry weather which would provide a good opportunity to make snow in the beginners' area.''

Mr Williams said that grooming the slopes would mean removing rocks and bushes and laying down a cover of soil and grass to make a smoother surface so that less snow was needed to create reasonable skiing conditions.

``It would make a wonderful difference up here if it was groomed, not only for snowmaking but for ski safety,'' he said.

Ski- doo tour operator Phil Jackson also believed slope grooming should be the priority, especially as the rocky nature of Ben Lomond meant it needed big dumps of snow to make skiing possible.

``I'd say grooming is a good thing if done with a lot of careful planning,'' Mr Jackson said.

``Snow-making is fine as long as the skiers don't have to pay for it. People won't come if they are charged $50 or $60 for a lift ticket. They are already put off by the $12 gate charge.''

Ben Lomond Ski Rentals manager Adam Clayton said that grooming had to come first and snow- making should come second.

Mr Maguire said that power was also a priority, saying that once it arrived, Ben Lomond would move ahead ``in leaps and bounds''.

Until then, the business operators were at the mercy of the weather, hoping for another big season.

``We're very small, we're a family operation, we have to keep the debt ratio very low or else you go belly-up very quickly,'' Mr Williams said.

The Ben Lomond Skifield Management Authority will meet at Ben Lomond at 10am on Sunday to discuss the proposal for the mountain.