Good place to take kids to the snow?

[wello26]

Hi All,

I'm hoping to take my kids (7 and 8 yrs) to Victoria in a couple of weeks to see snow for the first time. Not interested in skiing, they will be happy with building a snowman and having a snowball fight. Dad would like to include a short walk if possible.

Looking for some advice on where might be a good place to go.

Cheers

Wello

[Baeng72]

Hi Wello,
If you don't want to pay resort entry, and I'm guessing you don't want to march your kids up long steep spurs (Feathertop or Bogong), then off the top of my head, in the Melbourne area:
Lake Mountain seems to have an artificial snow toboggan run, which means you don't need to worry about if it's snowed recently or not, and doesn't appear to have entry fees. https://www.lakemountainresort.com.au/trail-conditions/

If it has snowed down below 1200m, then Mt Donna Buang near Warburton, is a possibility and I've taken the kids there several times (usually in July/August) after a dump and we've had a great time. https://www.warburtoninfo.com/mount-don ... eport.html

A bit further out, you can check out Mt St Gwinear on the Baw Baw plateau. https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to- ... st-gwinear

If you're fine with paying resort entry, then you'll probably have no issue with finding snow at Buller/Stirling, Baw Baw, Hotham, Falls Creek but all are a bit of a drive from Melbourne.
https://www.mtbuller.com.au/Winter/
https://www.mtstirling.com.au/
https://www.mthotham.com.au/
https://www.fallscreek.com.au/

[Smellypaddler]

If you don't mind a bit of a drive then Dinner Plain is great.

There is no Mountain fee if you don't stop at Hotham and no cost to use the facilities.

It has the biggest toboggan run and plenty of chance for snow play.

[nezumi]

Hi Wello,
If you don't want to pay resort entry, and I'm guessing you don't want to march your kids up long steep spurs (Feathertop or Bogong), then off the top of my head, in the Melbourne area:
Lake Mountain seems to have an artificial snow toboggan run, which means you don't need to worry about if it's snowed recently or not, and doesn't appear to have entry fees. https://www.lakemountainresort.com.au/trail-conditions/

If it has snowed down below 1200m, then Mt Donna Buang near Warburton, is a possibility and I've taken the kids there several times (usually in July/August) after a dump and we've had a great time. https://www.warburtoninfo.com/mount-don ... eport.html

A bit further out, you can check out Mt St Gwinear on the Baw Baw plateau. https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to- ... st-gwinear

If you're fine with paying resort entry, then you'll probably have no issue with finding snow at Buller/Stirling, Baw Baw, Hotham, Falls Creek but all are a bit of a drive from Melbourne.
https://www.mtbuller.com.au/Winter/
https://www.mtstirling.com.au/
https://www.mthotham.com.au/
https://www.fallscreek.com.au/

Lake Mountain has a resort entry charge - it's actually one of the highest out of all of those at $59 for a vehicle with 8 or fewer seats.

For a free area that includes the ability to go for a snow hike, Mt Buffalo is a good pick.

[neilmny]

Mount Margaret near Buxton when the snow is low down.
No facilities but it's free.

[Baeng72]

Lake Mountain has a resort entry charge - it's actually one of the highest out of all of those at $59 for a vehicle with 8 or fewer seats.

I stand corrected. I've looked at the resort's site and didn't find entry fees, so jumped to a bad conclusion.

[ChrisJHC]

Assuming you’re starting from Melbourne, both Lake Mountain and Mt Baw Baw are easy (if longish) day trips.

[Heremeahappy1]

For Mt Baw Baw you'll need to take the South face road. Baw Baw tourist road has 13 landslips and road is closed.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

Mt. Buffalo is free and gets snow that is XC skiable after good low dump of snow from a SW winter low pressure system. Many people go there to " see snow".
Mt. Margaret Gap after a similar Low dump of snow down to 800 M..
Mt. St. Gwinear has toboggan slopes at the car park at 1200 M. and is free to visit . The road is closed by fallen logs from the recent storms and will not be open until later in July .
Mt. Donnna Buang is Free to visit and is popular with parents who have small children who want to play in the snow . That is until they become cold and wet which does not take long unless they are suitably attired from head to toe.
Mt. Wills is free but is a long drive from Melb. and requires staying in Mitta Mitta or at Glen Wills or somewhere in that area.
As already mentioned Dinner Plain is free to visit and is easier to reach via the less steep and icy road up from Omeo. It makes for a good day trip from Omeo if you do n't want to snow camp at JB Hut or pay for
Ka Ching $$$ white season prices for On Mtn. accommodation.
Falls Creek has a toboggan slope.
Mt. Stirling has a toboggan slope
Mt. Buller " " " " " " " " " " " " " ' '
Mt. Baw Baw ditto ditto

The next chance to see real snow/ XC ski will be on the first weekend on July , that is if the weather modelling is correct. At present there is no snow unless the strip of machine made ice at some resorts is what you want to pay $55.00 for.
Resorts that require pay at the gate on the day of entry passes require punters to pay online in advance.
Watch the snow cameras here:
https://www.ski.com.au/snowcams/index.html

You must carry wheel chains and fit them where instructed.
It is NOT optional.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

A friend and I were trekking/ XC skiing / skinning up at No. 3 road recently. The junction of Carter's rd. and No. 3 road gets snow after a low dump. If there is no snow there then a short walk up past the winter locked gate on No. 3 road should offer enough snow for small children to make a snow man. Take a chain saw. Even though Carter's road is well used , trees do fall down in high winds.
My friend told me that Tomahawk hut gets snow after a heavy winter cold front but it is too low down in elevation to hold the snow for more than a day or two.