Page 454 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

452  VIC T ORIA

Skiing in the Victorian Alps

Australia offers fantastic skiing opportunities that rival the best
in the world. Most of the resorts fall within Alpine National
Pa Pa
Park (see pp444–5)rk (see pp444–5)rk , and are open for business from June to late
September. Given that the season is so short, conditions can
be variable. Mount Buller, Falls Creek and Mount Hotham are
the main resort villages, and the whole region is very fashion­
able. There are chic lounge bars, top­end lodges and fine
dining prepared by some of Melbourne’s best chefs.
Pistes are not as long as those in Europe and the USA, but
the views of the High Plains are an unmissable experience. Mount Buffalo
These less-crowded slopes
are popular with beginners,
intermediates and cross-
country skiers.

Mount Stirling Entry to
Mount Buller includes
free cross-country skiing
on Mount Stirling’s Mount Buffalo
groomed trails. (5558 ft/1695m)
Mount
Lake Buffalo
Buffalo Chalet
Mount Buller MT BUFFALO
This is the most accessible of the major resorts, NATIONAL
PARK
and hence the busiest and trendiest. Slopes suit
beginners through to advanced skiers, with 80 km
(48 miles) of groomed trails and a 405-m (1,300 ft)- Mount Stirling
vertical drop. The entrance car park at Mirimbah Mansfield Alpine Resort
is 16 km (10 miles) from the village; there is a Mount Buller
free shuttle bus for daytrippers. Lake Alpine Village
Eildon Mount Buller
(5922 ft/1805m)
ALPINE
Eildon Jamieson NATIONAL
Lake Mountain This resort is ideal for PARK
cross-country skiing. Most runs are for IA
beginners to intermediates. There is no I
on-mountain accommodation. Nearby AUSTRALIAN
Mount Donna Buang is fine for snowmen TR T
and toboggan runs.
Lake
Mountain Licola
YARRA RANGES
Dartmouth NATIONAL PARK
Reservoir
Mount St Gwinear
Mount Baw Baw (4915 ft /1509m)
(5134ft/1565m)
Thomson
Reservior
Mount
Baw Baw Walhalla
Alpine Village
Mount Baw Baw
The closest downhill ski resort to Melbourne is Australian Alps Walking Track
an excellent option for beginners, families and The 655-km (393-mile) Australian
skiers on a budget. Nearby Mount St Gwinear Alps Walking Track runs from historic
offers superb cross-country skiing but no Walhalla north-east to the Brindabella
on-mountain accommodation. Ranges outside Canberra.