A new $6 million lift at Mount Buller means a gleaming 6-seater takes you up the mountain in two minutes. They’ve removed some of the lift towers as well, freeing up space on the slopes. A new mini snow factory will top up the cover in the snowplay parks and the learner areas at the ski and snowboard school this season, meaning there can be more snowball fights and snowmen, and no kids and learners slipping on ice this year.

It’s a home among the gum trees five minutes from Kosciuszko National Park, and the perfect place for a warren of snow bunnies to stay under one roof. Forty Nine Post Office Lane, available on AirBNB, is a beautiful home by Myson+Berkery architects fit for up to 12 people. There’s a full kitchen, heated flooring, a giant wall-mounted Scrabble game and top notch fittings. Book in early.

If skiing all day and partying all night is not adventurous enough, book in to the Alpine Nature Experience on Mouth Hotham. The new igloo or snowdome offering ramps up the existing snowshoe to fondue experience, which starts with a sunset showshoe walk through the mystic snow gums and culminates fondue-making class inside a central tipee with fireplace. Igloos boast mattress bedding, bed linen, faux fur blankets and sleeping bag, drinking water and a small light, while a more luxurious snowdome also has a wood fire heater, handwashing facilities, and a USB port to recharge your phone; in case going off grid has reached critical mass for you.

While the first dump of snow is exciting, some of the best skiing of the season is found in late August and early September when the crowds die down and the sun hangs around. Spring skiing means thermals and multi layers make room for t-shirts, plus there’s more space to practise your turns and tricks. The Victorian slopes are typically better at this time of year.

One of the most sought after on-mountain boutique accommodations in Australia, the QT in Falls Creek, Victoria epitomises cosy chic. Thirty-eight designer apartments offer unrivalled access to the main ski runs. A three-bedroom suite features Scandi décor, a lift system and a private outdoor terrace with a hot tub and views to the surrounding ski runs.

Luxury lodges on Australian slopes are few, so it was with much applause that Astra Lodge opened in 2017. Refurbished inside and out by architecture firm Grant Amon, the old family-friendly chalet in the heart of Falls Creek village is now Scandi-inspired luxury in local stone and wood, with 20 guestrooms, six studios and a two-bedroom apartment. There’s copper and hand-cut stone on the exterior, and the interior is fitted out with custom-finished timber, with granite, leather and steel.

Just above the snow line amongst the snow gums on Mount Stirling, Victoria, pre-erected tents offer an escape from the hotel route while retaining most luxury comforts. The tents are raised, insulated and have internal heating. Pack clothing, sleeping bags and food, but everything else is provided. Or, order food a few days ahead and it will be packed away for you. There’s a central, communal tepee to share on-mountain victories and shredding tales around a potbelly stove.

The best spots are not always marked on a map and this season Hotham is introducing guided tours into its backcountry terrain. Individuals or self-organised groups of up to four people can go off piste in 6-hour tours on ski-patrol approved terrain. Victoria’s Backcountry Festival on 7th and 8th September celebrates all this backcountry, from cross country skiing to telemark and alpine touring and split boarding with an outdoor bar in a backcountry location, two-day avalanche safety courses, and a three-day backcountry camp on 9-11 September.