Winter in Melbourne means cozy nights in, hot coffees, comfort food and of course, heading up to the snow! We recently visited Melbourne’s closest ski resort, Mt Baw Baw and absolutely loved our icy adventure.
It was so hard to choose only 6 reasons to visit, but here’s our top picks…
6 Reasons to head to Mt Baw Baw this Winter
The Location
Mt Baw Baw is the closest downhill ski resort to Melbourne, and is only a short 2.5 hour drive from the city. We left our house mid morning, and were hitting the slopes just after lunch. Love it!
Mt Baw Baw is located in at the Southern end of the Victorian Alps, with the route from Melbourne taking in the picturesque towns of West Gippsland. We loved driving the winding road up to the mountain, which takes you through both lush forests and quaint townships.
The Skiing
Not only extremely accessible from Melbourne, Mt Baw Baw is the perfect destination for both novices (putting a massive both hands up from me here!) to advanced skiers and snowboarders. You’ll be able to enjoy 5 hectares of downhill terrain, seven lifts, 10km of cross country ski trails, three snow play areas and unlimited terrain amongst the snow gums to explore.
There’s also a number of cross country ski trails, which is another great way to explore Mt Baw Baw!
I have to also give a shout-out to my *very* patient ski instructor Ben, who had me feeling so confident after a one hour private lesson I tackled my first lift and downhill run! Whoo hoo! Thanks Ben, you’re a legend! If you’re in need of lessons, I’d highly recommend booking in with the team at Mt Baw Baw Snowsports.
Tobogganing
My kids absolutely loved the Frosti Frog Hollow Toboggan Park, which is located in the middle of the Village. Access to the toboggan runs are free, and you’re able to hire a toboggan for just $10 if you don’t have your own!
There’s two toboggan parks at Mt Baw Baw, and it’s the perfect way to spend a day at the snow if skiing or snowboarding isn’t your jam. Don’t forget to pack carrots for your snowman!
Howling Husky Sled Dog Tours
I honestly can’t think of a better way to experience Mt Baw Baw than by a dog sled pulled by a team of Huskys! The Howling Husky Sled Dog Tour was truly one of my all-time favourite holiday experiences… ever!
Our team of 8 incredible pooches whisked us away to the back trails of Mt Baw Baw, which is a spectacular icy wonderland during winter. The excited barking of the dogs, the cozy sled and listening to the expert commands from our guides made this truly an adventure of a lifetime. I’d highly recommend booking in advance, as the tours book up extremely quickly.
And bonus – don’t forget to cuddle the Husky puppies as you leave the tour. I was in pooch heaven!
The Food
We enjoyed several meals at The Village Restaurant in the centre of Mt Baw Baw’s bustling village. The delicious menu features locally sourced produce and a fantastic wine selection (plus the tastiest blue cheese cauliflower gratin I’ve ever tasted!), along with spectacular views across West Gippsland.
There’s also more casual dining options at the Alpine Bistro, Kelly’s and the Skiosk (situated on the ski slopes). Depending on your accommodation, there’s also the opportunity to self-cater (there’s a small selection of groceries available in the village too!)
The Accommodation
Mt Baw Baw’s smaller scale means that most accommodation is extremely close to the middle of the action, so there’s no lugging your snow gear miles to get to the slopes!
We really enjoyed our weekend at Snowgum, which is a fantastic option for families or groups – the 2 bedrooms and fully equipped kitchen meant we had the option to self-cater and enjoy a cheeky vino in the lounge room once the kids had gone to bed!
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