NATHAN Butterworth took up the position of general manager at Mount Hotham Skiing Company in April this year.

With a record start to the 2022 snow season, he caught up with Mt Hotham Falls Creek News to share his experiences so far, and hopes for the future of Hotham.

You officially began in the role in April. How has it been and how have you been spending your time?

I couldn't have hoped for a better inaugural season opening.

It's been an incredible start to my journey here at Hotham and it's been really great to share the excitement of the community about the terrific conditions we've had so far.

I've been really focused on getting to know the team and supporting them by providing oversight, management and leadership across all aspects of Mount Hotham Skiing Company's operations.

A highlight for me so far was working with the wider community to mobilise our teams to get the 2022 season open a full week earlier than we'd planned!

As a passionate snowboarder, I've also been trying to squeeze in as much time as possible enjoying the legendary terrain Hotham offers.

Can you tell us how you started in the ski industry and what you've been doing prior to your new role?

I actually started my career as an investment banker, who joined the team at Perisher in the early 2000s to work alongside the CEO and CFO to provide commercial support for their most significant development and capital projects.

Once I got a taste for working in the snow, I couldn't leave.

I invested my time heavily into developing a better understanding of Perisher's operations and transitioned into a leadership role with the Resort Services department where, for the last 15 years, I led Perisher's ticketing, Snowsports School, retail and rental operations.

I was also involved in oversight of the Epic Australia Pass offering for Perisher, Falls Creek and Hotham.

Sounds like you caught the snow bug! Have you always enjoyed the snow?

Despite having some exposure to the snow growing up as a young child in New York state, my first real exposure to skiing and snowboarding was at Mt Buller late in my secondary college years.

I spent most weekends through winter catching the bus services that ran day trips from Spencer Street Station to Mt Buller and return.

You've spent over 20 years in the industry, so do you have a favourite run?

At Perisher, Karl's and Schnaxl in Guthega were always two favourites.

The rolling gladed terrain that looks out to the Main Range allowed you to be immersed in the truly unique Australian skiing experience of skiing amongst the gum trees while looking out to rolling snow covered mountains.

Although I still have a lot of Hotham to explore, I've been really enjoying the terrain off Heavenly Valley.

I'm looking forward to exploring more of the resort and getting to know the full range of signature terrain that Hotham offers skiers and riders.

So what do you have planned for Hotham in the future?

It's still early days for me leading the team, however I'm really looking forward to continuing to improve the skiing and boarding experience at Hotham, while continuing the long history of a very passionate group of Hotham based employees, community members and guests in curating the wonderful local culture specific to Mt Hotham.

Being part of Vail Resorts, I'm excited to build on activity under EpicPromise to help create a bright and sustainable future for our environment and communities, and to ensure that we innovate ways to continue to drive participation to welcome broader groups from society to participate in the pastime that we all love.

I'm also looking forward to working with the team to identify opportunities to invest in resort infrastructure to improve the guest experience.

In the short term, my focus is primarily on investments in our snowmaking technology to allow us to more reliably get core terrain open earlier in the season and keep it open longer.

This means that our Epic Australia Pass holders can get even better value out of their pass by having the opportunity to ride as much as possible.