A winter wonderland is the dream of just about everyone and while it is right on our doorstep, not many Australians can say they have ever been to the snow! Well it is time to change all that. Gone are the myths that a snow holiday is expensive, as it doesn’t have to be. You don’t need a 4wd drive either as Mt Buller has a car park and free mountain shuttles from the bottom entry gates. So with no more excuses lets hit Mt Buller!
We left our home on the Gold Coast at 5am and we were skiing the slopes of Mt Buller by 3.30pm that afternoon. After our super quick check in at Huski 3 Apartments the kids leapt out to have a snowball fight while we checked out the amazing Runs that Mt Buller have to offer. The greatest part of Mt Buller is that they cater for every single imaginable concept of a snow holiday. If you are a beginner they have a fantastic Lessons programme for every age, size and ability, if you are an intermediate then grab your Ski’s from the Chalet and head on up the mountain and if you are experienced you will have the best adventure with 22 Runs to choose from!
If you want fantastic service and brilliant advice, head to The Chalet to hire your gear and buy your lift passes. Ask for Matis, he is phenomenal – if he can survive a week with the Everitts then he must be!
The Village, which is located at the bottom of Burke Street Run, is where you will find everything you need, from the Post Office to cafes and restaurants and even a Supermarket. The Village is the central mainstay of the mountain, it is where all the shuttles and buses will drop you off to start your day.
Our kids enjoyed days on end of Toboganning and Ski lessons, which makes for early nights and allowing Mum & Dad to enjoy a glass of wine next to the fire. With the snow falling outside the window it really is a winter wonderland.
Even if you are not keen to tackle the slopes, there is still plenty to do. Enjoy the Scenic Chair lift up to Spurs Restaurant which has magnificent views of the mountain and valley, go toboganning, snow shoeing, hit a movie at the Cinema, go for a treatment at the Spa, take a helicopter flight, visit their Alpine Museum, have a work out at the Gym & Sports Hall which has basketball, tennis, trampolines and rock climbing or go Telemarking, which is very different from downhill skiing and lots of fun too. Or do the Gnome Roam. Something very different and something I have no experienced at any other alpine region. Grab a free map from the Clock Tower located in the Village and hunt for the Resorts favourite little residents, the Mt Buller Gnomes. See the gnomes at work, rest and play! You can even download the Mt Buller Walks app for an interactive tour.
Mt Buller is full of fun and activities whether it be at first thing in the morning or later into the evening. The restaurants, cafes and bars cater for all tastes and often provide great music too. Nothing beats dinner and a wine next to the open fire. We found a few of the venues even have childrens playrooms and stopped in at The Whitt on our first night. With more than 36 places to choose from you can be assured of having your taste buds satisfied.
For those parents who have little ones who are too young or too tired from the previous day they also offer a Creche, taking children from 3 months old through to 3 years. They give the children a fun day to remember. And for those adventurous older kids they can hit the Frank MBP terrain park! Just like a skate park but on snow – just make sure all children wear helmets whenever Skiing or Snowboarding.
Only a short drive from Mt Buller is Mt Stirling where you will find a stunning natural alpine setting perfect for a range of great outdoors activities. Go cross country or back country skiing or snowboarding, telemarking, toboganning, snowshoeing and even snow camping which is at Alpine Winter Camp. It is operated by Stirling Experience and features a central Tepee with pot belly stove, pus seven accommodation tents all on insulated platforms.
Mt Buller prides itself on the fantastic Events they put on each and every year. With the remainder of this season filled with Schools Championships, 80’s Day, ABOM Mogul Challenge, Peak Pics Photo Competition, the Mt Buller Short Film Festival and the Dash for Cash. With Mt Buller being only 3 ½ hours drive from Melbourne it is an easily accessed Alpine holiday.
TRAVEL TIP:
- Always take snow chains, you never know what might happen.
- whether you are skiing or snowboarding or not, make sure you have waterproof footwear at all times.
- Rug up! Layers are great as you can take off or put on as you need to.
FAST FACTS:
- There are 22 lifts, 80 Runs, a Skiable area of 300 ha, a great Halfpipe, with 20% Beginner terrain, 45% Intermediate terrain and 35% of Advanced terrain.
- Winter season is normally open the first weekend in June through to 1st of October.
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