Winter is here! There’s been some incredible early snow falls in Australia and our snow resorts are busy making final preparations to welcome us back in the coming weeks.
Yes, we still can’t travel any further than our own backyard – but what a beautiful backyard we have to explore! We really are spoilt for choice here in Australia with a diverse range of alpine terrain, boutique on-mountain accommodations and après ski experiences all within easy driving distance of Melbourne.
If you’re anything like us, you’ll be itching to dust off the skis and get outside, so read on for our expert travel guide to two of Victoria’s premier resorts – Mt Buller (main picture) and Falls Creek, along with some awesome deals to get you on the snow this Winter. Our passionate travel advisors pride themselves on their local knowledge of these resorts and are committed to ensuring your first post-lockdown holiday is truly memorable. Whether it be a family lodge, ski-in/ski-out hotel or boutique bed & breakfast accompanied by on and off snow experience, we know it all.
Lift passes in Victoria open for bookings from next Monday 15th June, and with capacity limited this season due to Coronavirus, make sure you are ready to secure your travel and passes early.
It feels good to be free!
As if we needed an excuse, but Visit Victoria’s latest campaign ‘A short stay goes a long way’ is also encouraging us to plan a local adventure, and support our alpine and regional communities to aid the recovery of the many tourism operators and local businesses affected by summer’s bush fires and Coronavirus lock-down restrictions.
This issue we also feature more wonderful virtual adventures from our #TravelFromHome snow blog. We are heading to ‘China’s Wild West’ Jackson Hole – a replica of the US mountain town where the mega rich have their holiday homes, and watching the thrilling true story of ex-Olympian skier, Molly Bloom and what she did next …
For more #TFH inspiration, follow Mogul Ski World on Instagram @mogulskiworld and Facebook
OUR TRAVEL GUIDE TO MT BULLER
An easy, three hour drive from Melbourne, Mt Buller is the closest major alpine resort to any capital city and international airport.
Situated high in the snowfields of Victoria, Mt Buller’s picturesque alpine village is located at the heart of the mountain with charming lodges, luxurious hotels and modern apartments well positioned so you can ski from the slopes to your door.
With over 300 hectares of skiable terrain and the largest lift network in Victoria, there is something to appeal to all levels of ability. The slopes range from gentle and groomed to steep and fast. With rugged ridges, cliff drops and tree runs, Mt Buller is a natural playground. There is an extensive and maintained free-ride park, with an earth-formed half pipe, rail park, skiercross course and jumps.
There is an abundance of activities on offer both on and off the slopes including cross country skiing, snowtubing, snowshoeing, three terrain parks and two toboggan parks, complete with their own snowmaking machines to keep the kids happy all winter long. Mt Buller is also home to Breathtaker on High Alpine Spa Retreat, Australia’s highest day spa, as well as Australia’s highest cinema screening the latest movies and there is a fantastic selection of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars.
The on-mountain restaurants evoke the alpine restaurants of Europe so you can pretend you’re anywhere in the world! Our top recommendations are the Apricot Moguls at Kofflers Hutte and you can’t beat the views of Mt Stirling from the deck of Tirol on a blue sky day.
Whether you’re into flying down perfectly groomed runs, getting air in the rail park, snowshoeing in the high-country wilderness, lazing around by the fire, or dancing all night- there is no better place to live it up than Mt Buller.
FAST FACTS:
Number of lifts: 22
Number of runs: 25
Highest lifted area: 1780m
Skiable area: 300 ha
Beginner terrain: 20%
Intermediate terrain: 45%
Advanced terrain: 35%
FEATURED DEALS – MT BULLER 2020
Mt Buller Chalet Hotel & Suites – Couples Deal
Regarded as one of Australia’s finest alpine hotels in the heart of Mt Buller village, only steps from the main chairlift, Mt Buller Chalet Hotel & Suites has magnificent views of Bourke St and the Delatite Valley.
- Stay 5 nights at Mt Buller Chalet Hotel & Suites in a Standard King Room for 2 adults
- from $1199 pp
- Valid 30 August – 30 September 2020
ABOM
ABOM is situated right in the heart of Mt Buller village, directly opposite the ski and snowboard school, offering the convenience of ski-in/ski-out accommodation.
ABOM COUPLES DEAL
- Stay 5 nights at ABOM in a King Room including daily continental breakfast for 2 adults
- from $789 pp
- Valid 30 August – 30 September 2020
ABOM FAMILY DEAL
- Stay 5 nights at ABOM in a Family Room including daily continental breakfast for 2 adults & 2 children 18 or under:
- from $1719
- Valid 30 August – 30 September 2020
Visit our specials pages to browse all the amazing deals that you can BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE now!
For more options and details, contact our team today on 1800 335 724 or via email
OUR TRAVEL GUIDE TO FALLS CREEK
Located a five hour drive from Melbourne and spread across 450 hectares, Falls Creek is Victoria’s largest ski resort. There are over 90 runs, most of which are suitable for beginners to intermediates, but there’s also plenty for thrill-seekers with approximately 23% expert terrain and four terrain parks with some of the best rails and jumps on offer.
Falls is known as the spiritual home of cross country skiing with 65 kilometres of cross-country trails to explore, and a huge range of additional activities including Snowtubing, Snowshoeing and SnowPlay.
The alpine village offers the true ski-in/ski-out experience with a wide range of accommodation options, restaurants, cafes, bars and three day spas to relax those muscles after a big day on the mountain. The Falls Creek village generally doesn’t get quite as busy as some of the other resorts, making it a great option for beginners and families.
FAST FACTS:
Number of lifts: 15
Number of runs: 90+
Highest lifted area: 1780m
Skiable area: 450 ha
Beginner terrain: 17%
Intermediate terrain: 60%
Advanced terrain: 23%
OUR TOP ACCOMMODATION PICKS FOR FALLS
QT FALLS CREEK
QT Falls Creek sits in prime position right at the base of the main ski runs, offering uninterrupted views over the runs or the stunning Kiewa Valley from its snowy chic one, two, and three bedroom apartments.
You’ll be the envy of everyone on the mountain as you sit on your private balcony and plan your day on the slopes looking out over the valley, mountains, and ski fields.
All rooms feature heated floors, private balcony hot tubs, entertainment must-haves (wi-fi, sound system and movies) and indulgent designs with separate lounges, kitchenette or a full socially open kitchen and laundry in the larger apartments.
At the end of the day, you can luxuriate in spaQ Day Spa, grab a cocktail at Stingray Bar and experience the acclaimed modern dining experience offered at Bazaar Marketplace.
ASTRA FALLS CREEK
Located mid-mountain, the ski-in/ ski-out Astra offers recently renovated, European-inspired rooms suited to couples, friends or family groups. Rooms range from hotel rooms, studio apartments, two-bedroom apartments and interconnecting family rooms with all the luxury touches you’d hope for – Nespresso coffee machines, luxury bedding and bathroom amenities, and entertainment (Apple TV and complimentary Wi-Fi)
While the rooms are stunning, what truly sets the Astra apart is … well, everything else! Their exclusive service extends to a unique wine cellar experience offering a fascinating array of European and Australian vintages. The Astra Bar and Restaurant offers a fresh après ski menu and their famous Swiss fondue.
There is an integrated Day Spa with an internal magnesium pool and spa chamber, and an extensive range of treatments including body wraps, massages and facials, as well as beauty and hairdressing services. A serene library evokes European ski-lodge chic, with plush lounges and large windows offering ideal views of the Falls alpine region.
With all of this on offer, it’s not hard to see why Astra Falls Creek is often regarded as one of the best ski hotel’s in Australia.
TRAVEL FROM HOME
If you’re still not feeling quite ready to venture off the couch, here are some pretty good excuses for cosying up at home …
NETFLIX – MOLLY’S GAME
New to Netflix and based on an incredible true story, Molly’s Game follows former Olympian skier, Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain) who ran a high-stakes poker game for the stars when her skiing career ended with some freakish bad luck and injury. Her game nights were attended by Hollywood A-Listers, sports legends, business tycoons, even the Russian mob. While it’s all high-end glitz and glamour to start with, Molly gets in too deep with some of her shady acquaintances and nearly ends up in prison when she’s arrested by the FBI.
PODCAST – JACKSON HOLE, CHINA?
Just north of Beijing is a wild west town where China’s 1% buy their vacation homes. It’s called Jackson Hole, and it is, in fact, a replica of Jackson Hole, Wyoming with gorgeous wooden architecture, decor studded with antlers and leather accents, live “cowboy” shows, even a potato club. The question is… how did it get there? There’s an episode of travel podcast Passport, that explores this unusual place. Hosts Neil and Andres journey to Jackson Hole, China and find out what it is about the wild west that the Chinese elite can’t get enough of, and why that led them to build this replica of the American town. They talk to the Chinese real estate mogul and the American designer who built it. And find out how they ended up with something called “Tuna Jello”.
Please note that due to COVID-19 restrictions, as at June 11, the openings, operations and capacity numbers are yet to be confirmed for resort restaurants, cafes, bars, and terrain parks.