After the past few months, who would have thought that something other than COVID-19 would be the biggest issue for the commencement of Seasonal Programs at Mt Buller.
 
Warm temperatures over the past few weeks have cancelled out the natural snowfalls and prevented snowmaking in all Australian resorts.
 
Seasonal Programs will need to operate modified training program for the start of the school holidays, with additional activities incorporated into the TBR schedule.
 
We will also have an extra afternoon session, 3-5pm at the Buller Air Zone, to ensure more athletes can train each day at the awesome Buller Air Zone facility. Some groups may train 3-5pm in the afternoon instead of 1 to 3pm.
 
Buller Ski Lifts will also operate the ABOM six-seater chair for seasonal programs to access the upper mountain, which is appreciated.

Be sure to arrive in your ski and snowboard gear Saturday Morning in the Village Square, as we plan for all groups to be on snow for the first morning.
 
Activities in the first week of the program

• Bourke St skiing/snowboarding
• Mogul training on Summit Ridge
• Rails/Boxes on the upper mountain
• Buller Air Zone
• Goal setting
• On snow skill assessments
• Functional screenings
• Equipment assessments (boot and ski/board checks)
• High Country exploring, hiking to places such as Howqua Gap and other stunning locations

Weather Forecast
Colds nights and sunshine are currently forecasted for the next week. Fingers crossed the snowmakers will be able to blast the mountain, and new terrain and lifts should open early next week.

Off Snow Equipment
Please have items such as runners/hiking shoes, backpack, drink bottles, appropriate sports clothing so you can take part in all activities. Please also bring up your Air Zone socks if you have them from last year.

This year due to COVID-19, things will work a bit differently for the start of the TBR program.

With restrictions on indoor numbers, we will need to conduct jacket collection and first morning meeting of coaches/groups outdoors.

Fortunately, the forecast is calling for dry weather and sunshine, which will assist us in getting underway smoothly.

JACKET COLLECTION OPTIONS
Friday Afternoon/Evening
Time: 3pm to 6pm
Location: Top of Chamois/Lydia Lassila lift hut

Saturday Morning/First Day of Program
Time: Jacket collection from 830am
Location: Village Square (TBR meeting Place)

Can't make those two options?
Contact TBR Program Manager Andrew Pattison the day before you arrive on the mountain, and he can arrange to bring to the TBR meeting place on your child's first morning on snow.

TBR MEETING PLACE & TRAINING TIMES FOR 2020 SEASON
Meeting Place: Village Square
Morning Session: 9:00am to 1145am
Afternoon Session: 1pm to 3pm
Note: Please be at the session 10 minutes prior to the start of the session.

GROUPS
With a lot of new athletes joining the program from other Mt Buller programs, the first week will predominantly be used to asses which group athletes are best suited to.

Skills assessments will be conducted on all athletes, covering a wide range of on snow skills, and freestyle specific actions like jumping, moguls, park, rails etc..

The head coaches from each program area will work with the coaches to place athletes in respect to age, ability and mix of genders.

V1 15/06/2020
TBR COVID OFFICER: ANDREW PATTISON

We are very fortunate to be able to operate all of our on snow programs on schedule this winter given the current circumstances thanks to Buller Ski Lifts and the Mt Buller RMB support.

This season all TBR stakeholders will have to comply with these restrictions to ensure a safe and healthy program can operate all season. Below is a summary of those restrictions and changes to our program operations that athletes, their families and staff need to be familiar with.

This plan will be updated as restrictions change.

General
Practise good hygiene: Washing hands regularly with soap, carrying a small sanitiser in jacket pocket and trying to avoid touching your face (even with your gloves on). Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
Maintain physical distancing rules at all times, keeping at least 1.5 metres away from others. This includes on your commute to training, at meeting places and during training.
Do not attend training if you feel unwell or show any symptoms. Please get tested even if you have mild symptoms.
It is a requirement that all coaches and athletes have the COVIDSafe App on their smart phones.

On Snow Training
TBR meeting place in the village square will be further spread out, with each coach/group distanced from each other (further details of which group will meet in which area of the village square to be announced).

Parents should only approach coaches/groups in the meeting place or on the hill if it is essential. Under current (level B) sporting restrictions, spectators (including parents) are not permitted to attend training sessions.

Follow chairlift riding policies as prescribed by Buller Ski Lifts

Seasonal programs will not have lift line priority this season, and are unable to use any of the ski/snowboard school or private lesson lanes when loading chairlifts.

Drink bottles brought to training to be named and not be left grouped together (spread out)
No sharing of food/snacks/drinks

No sharing of equipment (including skis, poles, snowboards, googles or anything you could have touched with or without your gloves on)

Indoor Training – Buller Air Zone
Current advice from the Victorian Government is that indoor sport can resume from June 22, for up to 20 people (plus coaches) per space or zone. TBR groups will be rotated through the Buller Air Zone adhering to the government regulation on capacity and physical distancing.

Follow all general practises listed above, as well as not sharing any equipment, water bottles etc.. 
Wash your hands before and after any indoor activities.

Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.

TBR Headquarters (Chamois Judges Stand)
The Judges Stand can only be used by residents living in the building. Athletes needing to go to the bathroom will need to go home or use public facilities.

TBR: Early Bird Pricing Closes
Monday June 8

TBR: 2020 On Snow First Day
Saturday June 27

TBR: 2020 School Holiday Training Block
June 27 to July 12

TBR: 2020 Social Outing (Parents)
TBC - Mid July once venues can host up to 100 customers.

jNats (Mt Buller)
Saturday August 8

FreeBOM
Saturday August 22

Victorian Interschools (Mt Buller)
August 24 to August 30

32nd ABOM Mogul Challenge (Mt Buller)
Friday September 4 (FIS/OPEN Train & Youth Qualifications)
Saturday September 5 (Comp day)

Mt Buller Slopestyle
Sunday September 6

TBR: 2020 Last Day
Full Time/Midweek - Friday September 4
Weekend Program - Sunday September 6

TBR: Spring/Summer Water Jump Training
Schedule will be set in September 2020

TBR: End of Season Awards
TBC