His name was not Jacob, but he felt at home on a ladder.

A Jacob's Ladder can be found in several forms across the world. From a pedestrian staircase in Brisbane and a bridge in New Zealand to a scenic path in Scotland and a section of Route 20 in the US.

It is also the name of a 1990 horror film, a three-part pocketknife, and a spiritual song of African American slaves.

The origin of Jacob's Ladder comes from a passage in the King James Version of the Holy Bible from The Book of Genesis: Chapter 28 Verse 12 which states: "And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it."

Szilveszter Gruber* loves Tasmania's Ben Lomond National Park and Alpine Village. The Jacob's Ladder that he knows provides access to the mountain. Each time it is a "breath-taking drive".

Like many Tasmanians, Mr Gruber was relatively late to the mountain making his first trip when his local school offered access. But it did not take long for him to fall for the tranquillity and uniqueness of the environment. "My passion for the snow, skiing, and snowboarding began as a 15-year-old on a high school excursion to Ben Lomond," he said

That passion continued with Launceston College ski trips followed by a stint as barman and kitchen hand at Ben Lomond Creek Inn - a part-time job through university study.

"During this time, I met many of the wonderful members of the Ben Lomond community, later joining the Tasmanian Rover Ski Club," he said.

Sadly, on May 15, 2018, the Ben Lomond Alpine Hotel along with a Parks and Wildlife Tasmania structure burned to the ground in a devastating fire with an estimated repair bill of $1,000,000. Neither have been rebuilt although there are plans for a new public shelter.

The mountain, standing 1570 metres above sea-level was named after Ben Lomond (Beinn Laomainn) in the Scottish Highlands by Colonel William Paterson who landed at Port Dalrymple (George Town) in 1804. Ben Lomond, comprising 40,000 acres, was declared a National Park in 1947.

But thousands of years before European settlement the Plangermairreenner, Plindermairhemener, and Tonenerweenerlarmenneclans (Ben Lomond tribe) called the mountain turbunna. Hauntingly, it was a region synonymous with murder, dispossession, and "black catching".

John Batman, who founded Melbourne, was probably the first colonial to ascend Ben Lomond. He would later be accompanied on his expeditions by the landscape painter John Glover.

As journalist Adam Holmes stated in The Examiner: "This is a man who established roving parties in an attempt to round up Aboriginals, including an ambush on a family group at Ben Lomond. As the men, women and children fled, Batman ordered his men to fire upon them, allegedly killing at least a dozen. Four were captured, including two men who suffered severe wounds. When they were unable to walk, Batman recorded in his journal: 'I was obliged to shoot them'."

Mr Gruber acknowledges the past. He is an educated and compassionate man with a strong moral compass. He has introduced his family to the mountain. They have embraced the culture and environment with love and respect. Like him, they are now competent skiers and snowboarders and champions of the Ben Lomond experience.

Along with many others, Mr Gruber has become an important advocate for the region. He regularly meets with politicians and Parks and Wildlife Tasmania staff to campaign for anything from improved conditions to house gas bottles to the importance of a reliable T-bar tow lift and continued funding of Ben Lomond Ski Patrol.

Through necessity, he has also turned his hand to all manner of jobs and projects and tasks to improve the ski club and local facilities.

The Ben Lomond National Park and Alpine Village has the potential to become a prime tourist destination for Tasmania across all seasons. However, continued investment in infrastructure and support from both the state government and private sector will be vital for expanded use and ongoing success.

Recognising the difficulties, sacrifices, and wrongs of the past will also foster greater appreciation and understanding.

Mr Gruber maintains the faith. "The Ben Lomond community is full of many unique and colourful characters from all walks of life who share a passion for the snow and having a good time. Everyone is welcome and there is always someone to chat with to share stories. Mountain friends become lifelong friends," he said.

The clans of turbunna/Ben Lomond have a tragic past, but perhaps with the current custodians like Szilveszter Gruber they can reconcile their future to focus on grasping the significant opportunities that the reserve presents.

"In the wise words of filmmaker Warren A. Miller - 'If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do' ... so take the chance and visit Ben Lomond as soon as you can," he said.

*Name changed for privacy reasons.