Attention skiers, boarders and bunnies: the Victorian snow season is officially upon us. I know you may be tempted to coop yourselves up indoors with a mug of hot chocolate and a good book, but don't! Embrace the icy air and hit the slopes instead!
My first attempt at skiing down a snow-covered mountain was anything but graceful. (Picture flailing arms and legs and a perpetual wince.) If you're worried about your own snow-sport abilities, lessons are available for first-timers and those wanting to brush up on their skills. While I'm definitely no expert, I learnt the basics with a beginners ski lesson. And the great news is, most of Victoria's Alpine Resorts provide them for their inexperienced (but no less enthusiastic) visitors.
I've rounded up a few of Victoria's top Alpine Ski Resorts. In no particular order, here they are:
Mt Buller: Located about
3 hours drive from Melbourne,
Mt Buller is Australia's most accessible major snow resort. Prices are competitive. An adult can get a day pass for about $99. You can book tickets online
here.
On-snow: It features over 80 runs and a skiable area of 263 hectares. Young ones will be happy building snowmen, or perhaps they'll be keen to set out on a
gnome roaming adventure?
Off-snow: Indoor rock climbing, laser strike, scenic helicopter rides,
Alpine Museum, cinema and more.
Accommodation: The Mt Buller Alpine Village is smack bang in the heart of the snowfields and features over 7,000 beds. Many have ski-in, ski-out facilities, which allow you to open your door and step right onto the snow. Direct queries via email to reservations@mtbuller.com.au, or phone 1800-BULLER.
Hotham: Dubbed the "powder capital" of Australia (it holds the record for the highest annual snowfall of any Victorian resort over the past decade) and one of the country's highest mountain ridges, Hotham is a fair
5-hour drive from Melbourne's
CBD. It features a snow sports school for beginners. Learn the art of skiing or boarding before you take to the cross-country track!
On-snow: Features a skiable area of 245 hectares and 80 runs with terrain to suit all abilities. Kids aged 3-14 can learn to ski or board or hit the mini-slopes on a toboggan.
Off-snow: Scenic helicopter flights, ski Pilates, retreats and spas, shopping and fine dining, plus a variety of weekly activities. Hotham also offers child-minding facilities for mums and dads who care to enjoy a day sans their little ones.
Accommodation: A range of
accommodation including chalets, apartments, lodges and motels – something to suit every budget.
Falls Creek: A
5-hour drive from Melbourne and popular with advanced skiers and boarders, Falls Creek features some of Victoria's steepest, "blackest"
terrain. The snow here has been described as "the best in Australia."
On-snow: If you plan to hit one of Falls Creek's 21 revered (or is that feared?) trails, enrol yourself in
Snowsports School for some expert training. Go
snow tubing or for a ride on a snow bike. Perhaps you'd like to reach new heights with a bit of
kite boarding?
Off-snow: Relax and rejuvenate with a trip to the
Spa, go shopping or relax in front of the fireplace.
Accommodation: A
range of choices including apartments and lodges. For a cheaper alternative, why not try an off-mountain abode?
Tip: Visit
the official Victorian Snow Report website for up to date and timely reports on snow and weather conditions, and for a comprehensive list of Victoria's ski resorts.
You can view some basic snow-safety tips
here.
