The ski season will begin today, one week early, thanks to the heaviest falls of snow in May for decades - and an avalanche of skiers and snowboarders is expected to hit the slopes.

Mount Hotham, Mount Buller and Falls Creek, which have hurriedly sought extra staff for the early start, are offering free entry and skiing for those expected to take advantage of the early falls. A limited number of chairlifts will be open, some free of charge.

Although there should be no snow today, the Bureau of Meteorology is tipping heavy falls tomorrow and Monday as a burst of cold air is predicted to sweep over eastern Victoria.

"We haven't seen snowfalls like this in May since 1960 and 1968 - it's fantastic"

A spokeswoman for Mount Hotham Alpine Resort, Lou Puller, said the recent falls of snow were the best for years. "We haven't seen snowfalls like this in May since 1960 and 1968 - it's fantastic," she said. "We're looking forward to a very long season with heavy snowfalls.

"We're certainly all in very high spirits; we're all looking forward to a bumper season."

Ms Puller has predicted a full car park and strong crowds as weekend skiers take advantage of the 80-centimetre snow cover. Three of the resort's 13 chairlifts will be open, including the summit and village chairs. A spokeswoman for the Mount Buller resort, Bianca Scott, said only in 1964 and 1979 had Mount Buller's ski lifts operated before the Queen's birthday weekend, the traditional start of the season.

"We were expecting some snow over the weekend but nowhere near this much," she said. "It's taken everyone by surprise." Ms Scott said there were 77 centimetres of natural snow and more than 100 centimetres in the snow-making areas, thanks to the 55 snow-guns that have pumped out nearly 20 million litres of snow since they began operating last Saturday.

Six lifts will operate, offering skiers access to the beginner, intermediate and advanced runs. More are expected to be open by next weekend. Ms Scott said that although the season usually got off to a quiet start, an above-average crowd could be expected on the weekend. She urged skiers wanting accommodation to quickly secure their bookings.

Falls Creek is opening seven lifts for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. Lake Mountain will be open for cross-country skiing and Mount Baw Baw will be open for tobogganing and snow play. Mount Buffalo will open its lifts next weekend.

A senior forecaster at the bureau, Mr Ken Dickenson, said it was impossible to predict snowfalls for the rest of the season.

— Chris Vile, BoarderZone.com ready to rip!!! |HAVE YOUR SAY!|