New to the snow? We're here to help you get the most out of your holiday to the Victorian Alpine Resorts.
Heading to the snow? There are a few things you need to have covered before you go to ensure a safe and unforgettable family holiday. From what to wear, tips on travelling to the snow and what to pre-book online, ski lessons and where to stay, find out everything you need to know below.
Travelling to the snow
Visiting the snow for the first time is a magical experience. To make sure your family’s mountain trip is smooth and full of happy memories, a little bit of preparation goes a long way.
Before you load up the car, there are a few important things you need to organise online.
From carrying the right snow chains to organising your Resort Entry Pass, we can point you in the right direction to make sure you have a fantastic winter getaway.
Find out more here.
What to wear at the snow
The golden rule for the snow is layering. The air on the mountain is crisp and cold, but as you move around and play, your body will warm up. Wearing a few thin layers instead of one heavy coat lets you add or remove clothing easily to stay comfortable.
What to bring from home: What to bring from home: Pack your own base layer/thermals made of Merino wool or synthetics (avoid cotton), a warm mid-layer (fleece or a puffer), warm socks, a beanie, gloves, sunscreen and snow goggles or sunglasses to protect your eyes. Make sure to wear sunscreen - fresh snow can reflect up to 90% of UV radiation.
What you can hire: If you are trying skiing or snowboarding, you will need specialised waterproof clothing. You can hire snow jackets, snow pants, boots, helmets, and ski gear right at the resort or in the towns at the bottom of the mountain. To save time and get out on the slopes quicker, we highly recommend booking your rental gear online before you arrive.
Just visiting to play? If you are not skiing and just want to touch the snow, build snowmen, and sightsee, you don’t need to rent lots of gear. Just dress in your warmest, wind-resistant winter clothes from home, and wear sturdy, enclosed shoes with good grip. Don’t have shoes that fit the bill? You can also hire Apres Boots (warm, waterproof boots) to keep the feet toasty while playing and exploring.
Tip: Avoid dressing kids in gumboots/wellingtons as they do not have any insulation which leads to very cold toes.
Snow play
If your dream is to make snow angels, build a snowman with the kids, or laugh your way down a hill on a toboggan, snow play is for you. Lake Mountain is Melbourne’s closest alpine resort and is fantastic for families looking for an affordable, fun day out..
Your Resort Entry ticket includes access to over 25km of beautiful walking and cross-country skiing trails, as well as designated snow play areas where the whole family can safely play. You can buy your toboggan tickets online or at the resort on the day.
For a unique experience, try snowshoeing, which is simply walking across the deep, powdery snow using special lightweight frames attached to your shoes. It’s easy, requires no experience, and lets you explore the quiet beauty of the winter forest. Snowshoe rental and tours are available at most Alpine Resort destinations.
Lifts and snow gear
Riding the chairlift is half the fun of your snow day. If you’re planning to go skiing or snowboarding during your trip, you’ll need a lift ticket. Lift tickets are your pass to ride the chairlifts, which carry you from the bottom of the slopes up to the top of the ski runs so you can ski or snowboard back down.
Because space is limited and resorts are popular, you must book your lift tickets online before your trip.
If you have never been on a chairlift before, don’t worry at all. The friendly Lift Operations staff are always standing right next to the chairs. Just tell them it is your first time, and they will gladly help you get on and off safely with your snow gear.
Ski and snowboard lessons
The best way to ensure your first day on the slopes is filled with smiles and laughter is to book a beginner lesson. Professional, friendly instructors specialise in helping first-timers master the basics, like how to stop and turn, in a safe and supportive group setting.
Lessons are available for all ages, from toddlers to adults, meaning the whole family can learn. Look out for "First Timer Bundles" on resort websites, which often package your beginner lift ticket, rental gear, and a lesson together for a good price.
Tip: Group lessons fill up very quickly, so please ensure you book your lesson online well before you arrive to secure your spot.
Getting around the alpine village
Every alpine village has its own unique, winter wonderland charm.
Private vehicles cannot generally be driven directly to your accommodation or in the Alpine Resort village due to the snowy conditions. Instead, you will park in a secure, long-term parking lot, and a specialised "Oversnow" taxi (a vehicle built for driving in snowy conditions) will carry you and your luggage right to your lodge's front door. Falls Creek is famously "ski-in, ski-out," meaning you can often step out your front door straight onto the snow.
Falls Creek offers a true ski-in, ski-out experience with a free village shuttle and paid oversnow luggage transfers - check with your accommodation whether you’ll need this service.
Mt Buller is connected by a network of free shuttles in the village, and free shuttles for day guests that pick you up from the car parks. If you are staying overnight, you’ll need to pre-book a Ride Share Transfer to transport your family and your bags straight to your accommodation.
At Mt Hotham, three village hubs are spread along a ridgeline, linked by a free shuttle bus network for day and overnight visitors. A regular, paid shuttle bus connects Hotham and nearby Dinner Plain throughout the day.
Dinner Plain Village is flat and walkable, making it perfect for families wanting to stroll through the snow.
Staying on mountain
There is nothing quite like waking up, drawing back the curtains, and seeing a blanket of snow right outside your window. Staying on-mountain means you are already at the resort, allowing you to beat the morning traffic, step straight onto the snow, and enjoy the mountain before the day visitors arrive.
When the sun sets, the day crowds go home, and the villages transform into glowing winter wonderlands. You can walk to cosy restaurants, sip hot chocolate by an open fire, check out the vibrant apres nightlife and watch the stars sparkle over the snow-capped peaks. Accommodation options fit every group, from luxury chalets and self-contained apartments to traditional, communal ski lodges where you can meet other travellers.
Tip: If you are looking for the best prices and a more relaxed pace with plenty of space on the snow, try booking mid-week or during the month of September, which is a fantastic, sunny time for kids and beginners to learn.
Day tripping to the snow
If you’d like to pair a regional getaway with your snow adventure, staying off-mountain in the beautiful valley towns like Bright, Mount Beauty or Mansfield is a great option.
These vibrant towns sit at the base of the mountains and offer larger, highly affordable accommodation options, great supermarkets, and a fantastic variety of local dining options. From here, you can easily drive up the mountain for a fun day trip in the snow and return to the warmer valley at night.
Just remember that you will need to pay the daily resort entry fee for your car each time you drive up the mountain, and you will need to bring or hire diamond-patterned snow chains to carry in your boot for the drive.
