Your guide to skiing, snowboarding and events at Victoria’s alpine resorts in winter

Whether you fancy carving up the slopes or just a bit of snow fun with the kids, Victorians are spoiled for choice when it comes to alpine resorts. Here’s our guide to this year’s snow season.

If there’s one thing to embrace about the cold weather in Victoria, it’s the chance to hit the slopes in our alpine regions.

And this year is already shaping up to be one of the strongest ski seasons Victoria has seen in 20 years, thanks to a record early snowfall.

Mt Buller even opened a week early last weekend, celebrating a good snow haul with free skiing and boarding on Bourke Street with its new Bourke Street Express chairlift.

The June Queen’s Birthday weekend traditionally marks the start of the ski season — here’s what’s in store at Victoria’s alpine resorts this year:

Mum Jenny and son Finley enjoyed a sunny day on Bourke St under the new Bourke St Express Chair lift at the resort’s early opening weekend. Picture: Andrew Railton.

MT BULLER

SEASON DATES: The resort opened last weekend, a week earlier than originally planned. Its season typically wraps up early October.

BEST FOR: Families, groups and couples.

LIFTS: 22

ENTRY PRICE

The entry fee is $58 per vehicle, and parking fees vary.

You can save up to 20 per cent on entry by booking online.

If you’re planning to stay overnight, you’ll need to pay for parking as well as valet transfer fares.

For regular visitors, season passes range from $500-$787.

LESSONS

Mt Buller’s team of international and local instructors offer a variety of ski and snowboarding lessons.

Adults who have never skied or snowboarded before can get a two-hour lesson and all-day access to beginner lifts from $92.

The resort also offers private lessons that can range from one hour to all day sessions.

The Buller Kids Centre offers classes for children, as well as creche services.

Bunyips ski sessions are aimed at children aged three to six, while Buller Kids offers ski and snowboarding lessons for children aged seven to 14.

Buller Teens lessons cater for visitors aged 15 to 18.

SKI HIRE

There are a number of ski hire rental stores at Mt Buller, including Alpine Retreat Ski Hire, Alberg Hotel Ski Hire, Black Mountain Equipment, Buller Sports, Chalet Boutique, Duck Inn Ski Hire, George’s Ski Hire, Grimus Ski Centre and Mirimbah Store.

Enjoy the breathtaking scenery at Mount Buller.

WHAT’S NEW IN 2019?

A $6 million chairlift will help ramp up the fun at Mt Buller this winter.

The gleaming six-seater ride will whisk skiers up Bourke Street in just over two minutes.

With fewer towers than the old Blue Bullet, it frees up more ski area for smooth sweeping turns down to the village centre.

WHAT ELSE?

The annual BANFF Mountain Film Festival returns to Mt Buller on Saturday, June 22, at 7pm.

The curated film event showcases a selection of the best action sport films from Canada’s International Film Festival.

Screenings are limited, so bookings are encouraged.

MT HOTHAM

SEASON DATES Mt Hotham officially launches its ski season this Saturday, June 8, and typically wraps up at the end of September, subject to conditions.

BEST FOR: Serious skiers and those after a unique alpine adventure.

LIFTS: 13

ENTRY PRICE

All vehicles stopping at Mt Hotham require resort entry, which are priced at $51 per vehicle. For those travelling on a RHV, taxi, bus or coach service, entry is priced at $18 per adult and $8.50 per child.

Additional session permits and season passes vary in pricing.

Snow conditions were outstanding last year at Hotham Alpine Resort, with the best snow season for depth since 2004.

LESSONS

Hotham Ski & Ride School offers individual and group lessons for beginner to advanced skiers and boarders.

Pricing varies based on the amount of lessons, with bookings made online priced at a discounted rate.

SKI HIRE

Mt Hotham has an abundance of ski hire outlets within its resort.

They include family business Hoys Hotham Ski Centres, One Tree Sports, Hotham Sports, Omeo Ski Hire and Service Station, Hoys Harrietville, Rays Ski Shop, Zirky’s Sports, Tirol Sports, Snow Monkey, Hoys Dinner Plain, Hotham Sports at the Alpine Life, Hotham Sports Kids and Alpine Heights Ski & Board Rentals.

WHAT’S NEW IN 2019?

The Brockhoff Hut hideaway has become a must-find on Mt Hotham.

The unassuming stone hut has been transformed as the home of heartwarming meals and celebratory toasts to the snow gods.

Visitors can enjoy the ultimate ski-in, ski-out food stop while taking in the impressive views from the deck.

WHAT ELSE?

From Wednesday, June 19, onwards, visitors can indulge in cheesy goodness as part of the Snowshoe to Fondue experience.

Perfect for any cheese aficionados out there, this unique foodie experience involves an evening guided snowshoe walk through the snow gums in the Victorian alpine region to a hidden ecovillage with a brief campfire stop over a glass of wine, followed by some delicious French fondue inside a central tipi.

MT BAW BAW

SEASON DATES: Mt Baw Baw opens this Saturday, June 8, with the snow season running until October.

BEST FOR: Families, first-timers, those after a smaller resort close to the city.

LIFTS: 7

ENTRY PRICE

There’s a few options when it comes to resort entry, but if you’re planning to drive it’s $57 per vehicle for one-day entry, $20 per additional day and caps at $157.

Mt Baw Baw also offers a shuttle bus service.

If you travel to the resort by motorcycle, bike, bus, etc, it’s $18.40 per person, while students are $12 per person and seniors are free.

Seasonal passes for the resort are $450 per person.

Friends Sarah Fisher and Harry Waters from Richmond enjoy record snow falls at Mt Baw Baw.

LESSONS

The Mt Baw Baw Snowsports Team offer a range of lessons, beginners from $90, kid’s lessons from $75 and private lessons from $80, in addition to terrain park progression sessions (from $50).

SKI HIRE

Four private ski hire rental businesses are located at Mt Baw Baw, which includes Baw Baw Ski Hire, Baw Baw Snow Chains & Hire, Baw Baw Sports and Outdoors and Erica Ski Hire. Visitors also have the option of pre-booking hire equipment online so it’s ready upon arrival.

WHAT’S NEW IN 2019?

There will be guaranteed snow cover in beginner areas thanks to the TechnoAlpine Snow Factory, which started making snow at the start of May in preparation for lifts opening on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

WHAT ELSE?

During the Victorian school holidays from Monday, July 1, to Sunday, July 14, you can drop your kids off at the free Kids Club, from 1-3pm daily.

LAKE MOUNTAIN

SEASON DATES: Currently open and expected to wrap up around October, but subject to conditions.

BEST FOR: Families, first-timers.

LIFTS: As the resort is solely cross-country, there’s no lifts.

ENTRY PRICE

For those travelling by car, entry is $57 per vehicle, while bus entry is $18.50 per passenger. Kids under five get in for free, while seniors are eligible for certain discounts.

LESSONS

Lake Mountain Alpine Resort has recently expanded their snowboarding programs for children, with the Burton Riglet Park a safe and encouraging environment for kids aged three to six years, where they can have 30 minute lessons, which are offered daily.

For kids aged seven to 14, the Burton ‘Learn to Ride’ Program offers the next step in snowboarding lessons, with 1.5 hour classes on offer.

There’s also cross country ski lessons available and group ski lessons at Fischer Fun Park for children aged four to 12.

For $70, adults can have an hour-long ski lesson.

SKI HIRE

The rental department at Lake Mountain offers a wide range of ski equipment and clothing, with snow play packages the most cost-effective option.

They also offer Click and Collect, so you can use your smartphone to book equipment ahead of your day on the slopes.

Try out cross country skiing on the Lake Mountain trails.

WHAT’S NEW IN 2019?

While the alpine resort has had a snow guarantee for its village toboggan run for many years, new Snow Factory capabilities will see more snow on the Village and Koala Creek toboggan runs, as well as a dedicated cross-country loop.

WHAT ELSE?

Take a walk with a difference and hire snow shoes to explore Lake Mountain.

Walk options range from the 500m return Bjarne Dahl Memorial Walk to the 5km return Summit Walk.

MORE: EIGHT BEST VICTORIAN TOWNS TO VISIT THIS WINTER

WHAT’S ON IN MELBOURNE AND VICTORIA OVER WINTER 2019

FALLS CREEK

SEASON DATES: Open from Saturday, June 8, until Sunday, October 6.

BEST FOR: Families, couples looking for a picture-perfect village stay.

LIFTS: 14

ENTRY PRICE

Resort entry is charged at cost per vehicle for the duration of your stay, with resort entry setting you back $56.50 per day, while a season pass is $555.

Visitors aged 65 and over are entitled to a 20 per cent discount rate on short-term and season resort entry passes, while booking online also offers discounted rates.

LESSONS

An abundance of lessons are offered at Falls Creek and cater to those young and old, inexperience to intermediate.

For adults, there are group ski, group snowboard, private ski/board and cross country ski lessons and afternoon super sessions.

For kids, there’s the snowclub, which is designed for three to five-year-olds.

The junior workshop is for those aged six to 12 and the ride tribe for teens aged 13 to 17. Falls Creek also offers childcare services, which are open all-year round.

Fresh powder at Falls Creek keeps the kids entertained. Picture: Supplied

WHAT’S NEW IN 2019?

This ski resort is officially “epic” — Falls Creek, along with Mt Hotham, has been bought by Vail Resorts.

They join Perisher in Vail’s network of Epic pass resorts, providing even more options for skiers and snowboarders.

This weekend will see Falls Creek host its annual Ice Plunge, which involves locals and visitors alike plunging into the cold waters of Rocky Valley Lake in an effort to raise funds and awareness for Fight MND.

WHAT ELSE?

Strapping on skis or your snowboard not enough? Why not try fat biking.

The new mountain biking trend involves riding a specialised bike, which is ideal for taking on snowy trails.

There are five trails to explore, with rentals $50 per day.

DINNER PLAIN

SEASON DATES Dinner Plain’s snow season runs from this Saturday, June 8, until the end of September.

BEST FOR: Families and those looking for an easy alpine adventure in a stunning village close to Mt Hotham.

Dinner Plain is a great spot to take the kids on a day trip this winter.

LIFTS: 1

ENTRY PRICE

Unlike other ski resorts, there is no resort entry fee, however in order to go skiing you’ll need a Snow Pass Card and a Lift Pass.

A Snow Pass costs $5 and similar to a myki, you load credit onto it.

They can be purchased at the resort or online.

Your Lift Pass will also be loaded onto your Snow Pass, with single day access costing $43 per child, $70 per adult and $157 for a family.

LESSONS

Dinner Plain has a special Learn to Ski package, which includes a day lift pass and two-hour ski lesson.

Private lessons are also available, so you can learn to ski or snowboard at your own pace with a one-on-one session.

WHAT’S NEW IN 2019?

A snow dance and fireworks will kick off the season.

Photographer Karl Gray has also opened a gallery space, offering workshops around Dinner Plain/Mt Hotham for keen amateur snappers.

WHAT ELSE?

If you need a bit of rest and relaxation after a day on the slopes, head to the Onsen Retreat and Spa, which features a 40-degree outdoor Onsen for bathing.