Dinner Plain Alpine Village has announced it will continue winter operations as planned for the 2020 season.

The decision has been made with the full backing of Alpine Shire Council to support the alpine village’s local businesses and staff, following the announcement by Vail Resorts to suspend lift operations at Mount Hotham and Falls Creek Alpine Resorts.

Dinner Plain’s 2020 winter operations will include the commitment to grooming of the Village’s 35-kilometre cross country ski trail network, active management of its 75m tobogganing slope and commitment to funding snowmaking operations at the tobogganing area.

Dinner Plain is located 10km towards the Omeo side of Mount Hotham and services up to 2000 overnight guests during the peak of the winter season.

Situated above the snow line at 1570m altitude, the alpine village experiences consistent snowfall throughout a regular winter season.

Alpine Shire Council director assets, William Jeremy, said the reinforced commitment to Dinner Plain’s operations was a reflection of the importance of the alpine village to the region’s economy and tourism base.

“Winter is a vitally important time for Dinner Plain and its local businesses,” Mr Jeremy said.

“Melbournians are not able to travel here for six weeks, but to scale things back would be doing a disservice to our operators who are staffed and ready to service a population of regional Victorians who enjoy a holiday at the snow just as much as those in the city.”

Mr Jeremy said Dinner Plain was a “family all-rounder” and its winter tourism offered snow recreation for all ages.

“By reinforcing our commitment to grooming on the trails, snowmaking on the slope and having a managed, COVID-compliant toboggan slope, we’re making sure our operators have all the resources they need to keep doing what they do best,” he said.

“We believe Dinner Plain has the potential to lead the industry this winter. We have a fully committed village and almost 100 per cent of this is in freestanding holiday residences.

“The town is free to visit and will progress this season with Australia’s longest toboggan slope, a 35km cross country ski and snowshoe network, sled dog tours, rental outlets, five restaurants, two pubs and the highest brewery in the country.

“We think now more than ever regional Victorians deserve a break and Dinner Plain is perfectly placed to offer this.”

Mr Jeremy expects many alpine skiers will transition to cross country this season as downhill skiing at Hotham is not operating.

“Our cross country trails are a big part of the appeal of Dinner Plain. We have a 35km network of trails that winds around the village and extends the whole way to Mount Hotham which is a real highlight for a lot of visitors to the region.

He said while there hadn’t been a great deal of natural snow to have trails at full capacity, once snowfall comes, crews will groom as much of the network as possible.

“An experience many don’t often try is Nordic snowshoeing,” Mr Jeremy said.

“The popular summer hiking spots like Precipice Plain and Carmichael Falls are incredible to see under snow and it is an activity that the whole family can try.

“Dinner Plain’s rental outlets keep a good stock of snowshoes available and the whole cross country network is available to hike with completely free access.”

IMAGE: Dinner Plain businesses are calling on regional visitors to make the most of their facilities, including Australia’s longest toboggan slope and a 35-kilometre cross country ski trail network. (PHOTO: Nathan Fenton)