Action aplenty on Victoria’s snow fields
Victoria’s alpine resorts boast some of Australia’s best downhill and cross country trails, world class terrain parks and a multitude of activities including snow-shoeing, dog sledding and luxury day spas. Whether snow-goers choose to jump on a snowboard, snap on some skis, or stick to on-foot adventures, there is something for everyone to enjoy – all within driving distance of Melbourne.
Kicked off on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend (6 June), the launch of the snow season was celebrated at all the state’s major resorts. Here’s a rundown of what will take place throughout the season:
Mt Buller of Victoria’s snow fields
Mt Buller & Mt Stirling
The state’s most popular resort, Mt Buller is a three-hour drive north-east of Melbourne – close enough for a day trip and far enough to feel a world away from city-life.
Boasting an array of facilities for snow-lovers of all ages and persuasions, Mt Buller is a non-stop winter playground with off-slope activities ranging from a ski-in cinema, sculpture walk, dog-sledding, snow-shoeing and snowgaining (i.e. high altitude orienteering).
Mt Buller Tobogganing Fun at Victoria’s snow fields
To celebrate the launch of the season, the resort offered free entertainment, including live music and fireworks. Film festivals, the Mt Buller Adventure Race and themed events such as an ’80s Day ensured the fun times continue throughout the season.
Australia’s highest-altitude day spa, Breathtaker on High awaits those seeking some relaxation after a day on the slopes, while more than 30 on-mountain eateries, including a new Asian food court at the Mt Buller Chalet Hotel, helped to keep snow bunnies powered up all day long. To cap off the perfect snow session, the mountain’s many bars and clubs pumped out the tunes well into the evening.
A short drive or stunning snowshoe walk from Mt Buller, Mt Stirling is an ideal destination for backcountry skiing, snowboarding and cross-country trails.
Adventurous souls can try snow camping, either on a tour or independently. The Alpine Winter Camp is a ski-in, ski-out accommodation option above the snowline that features a central tepee for dining and socialising and seven accommodation tents on raised, insulated platforms. Meanwhile, the mountain’s newest cafe offers snow-bunnies wholesome organic food to keep them fuelled up for their next adventure.
Mt Hotham & Dinner Plain of Victoria’s snow fields
Mt-Hotham of Victoria’s snow fields
Around 4.5 hours from Melbourne in the stunning Alpine National Park, Mt Hotham boasts a varied ski terrain. Skiers and boarders of all abilities are well catered for with downhill runs for beginners to advance with free Snow Kat tours that enable access to untracked powder on ‘side country’ trails.
Mt Hotham provides a wide variety of experiences with over 40 kilometres of cross-country and multi-use trails. Snowmobile and sled dog tours, snowshoeing, fat-biking and alternative winter recreational activities are also on offer.
For the first time, this season two-hour ski and snowboard master-classes will be available with the resort’s best coaches, offering high-level technical instruction, park tricks and insider local knowledge for those who want to sharpen their skills.
Mt Hotham Village Night View of Victoria’s snow fields
Mt Hotham’s well-loved Burton Riglet Park continues to be a snowboarding haven for kids as young as three, with specially-designed terrain that includes small bumps, ramps, rollers and toys that teach children the fundamentals of balance and stance.
Guests can enjoy the new Brabralung Indigenous Interpretation Trail that links Mt Hotham and Dinner Plain (10 kilometres away) on one of Victoria’s most iconic Cross Country Ski Trails that highlights the importance of Aboriginal heritage in the region.
At Dinner Plain, a new Snow Park will offer tubing daily throughout the season, while the installation of new lights enables night skiing and tubing on Wednesday and Saturday nights.
Dinner Plain is also home to Onsen Spa & Retreat, a massage and wellbeing centre that features a Japanese-inspired outdoor onsen as well as an indoor heated pool.
Falls Creek
Victoria’s largest ski resort, Falls Creek is a true ski in/ski out European style alpine village.
It is Australia’s home of cross-country skiing and offers 65 kilometres of free-to-access world class trails. The mountain’s stunning Bogong High Plains will this year play host to the 25th running of the annual Kangaroo Hoppet cross-country event (22 August). The Australian leg of the Worldloppet series of long distance cross country ski races, it is set to attract over 1500 skiers.
Falls Creek’s well-groomed, progression-perfect downhill trails are the ideal setting for skiers and boarders of all abilities and the resort’s four terrain parks are home to some of the biggest and most impressive features in Australia.
Those who prefer not to don the skis or boards can ride down the free toboggan slope, play in the Snowplay Park, spin down the tube or check out the twice-weekly Pete the Snow Dragon shows and the weekly Street Party and Night Show during July and August.
Snowshoeing, snowmobiling, snow-biking and snow bocce, as well as lessons for all ages and abilities ensure the whole family will be well entertained.
At the end of an invigorating day on the slopes, visitors can ease aching muscles at the luxury Spa Q, based at the boutique QT Falls Creek apartment hotel and soak up the après ski atmosphere at more than 30 bars and restaurants.
Mt Buffalo one of Victoria’s snow fields
Easily accessible from Bright and other sub-alpine towns of the North East, Mt Buffalo National Park is home to a range of winter activities for first-time snow goers and families looking to have a bit of fun with the kids. With its gentle undulating landscape and over 14 kilometres of marked trails across the plateau, Mount Buffalo is an easy-to-access destination for cross-country skiing and other snow activities.
Throughout the winter, Adventure Guides Australia will run cross-country lessons and tours; “Snow Shoe Shuffle” adventures will take visitors on an easy tour of the mountain (perfect for those on a budget) and its safe tobogganing and snow play areas will provide great fun for the whole family. The more adventurous are encouraged to venture off the beaten track for some cross-country skiing to really experience this beautiful winter wonderland.
Lake Mountain
The closest snow resort to Melbourne (just a two hour drive away), Lake Mountain is perfectly suited for families with young children wanting an easy and accessible holiday or day trip.
Snow play and cross-country are the main attractions here, and the significantly expanded Snowman’s Village provides more space for kids to throw snowballs and build snowmen. It is the perfect place to prepare for the resort’s annual Australian Snowman Festival, where snowmen makers are invited to post a picture of their snowman to Facebook for the chance to win some great prizes.
This season, a fourth toboggan slope has opened – meaning more fun for the kids – while parents will enjoy testing out world-class Nordic equipment at the new Fischer Nordic Demo and Test Centre. A number of new snow shoeing trails will also be opened this season, for both short and full-day expeditions – a great alternative for those not keen on skiing, as it requires no greater skill than walking.
At the foot of the mountain, Marysville has a flush of new accommodation, signalling the town’s rebirth since being all but wiped out by the devastating bushfires six years ago. Chief among these is Vibe Hotel Marysville with 101 rooms, a spa and wellbeing facility, on-site eateries as well as a conference centre.
Other new Marysville accommodation includes Amazing Bush Accommodation, an architect-designed, environmentally friendly lodging that sleeps up to 12, and the totally refurbished Tower Motel that has transformed into a contemporary, affordable motel with a difference.
Mt Baw Baw
Around 2.5 hours east of Melbourne, Mt Baw Baw is a smaller-scale alpine village that provides on-snow accommodation and an intimidation-free environment, making it the perfect place to learn to ski and board. Its gentle slopes make it an ideal destination for beginner to intermediate downhill skiers and boarders, while 10 kilometres of cross country trails cater for those who prefer a lesser gradient.
The mountain has 35 hectares of groomed runs, three snow play areas and free tobogganing, as well as the Big Air Bag, a huge air-filled cushion with jump access that lets visitors practice their freestyle moves in safety before hitting the slopes. Back-country trails can be explored by husky dog sled or daily snowshoe tours, and the village can be toured from the back of a snowmobile.
Mount Baw Baw’s affordable accommodation is no more than 100 metres from the slopes and ranges from traditional-style lodges to self-contained apartments with comfortable ‘flashpacker’ accommodation.
Content and Photographs credits- Victoria Tourism
For more information visit piecesofvictoria.com http://www.piecesofvictoria.com/action-aplenty-on-victorias-snow-fields/
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