Snow season is well and truly here, with many skiers gearing up for their annual trip to Mount Buller, however, if you’re not particularly confident on the slopes, or you simply want to try something different this year, there are plenty of other activities for you to enjoy in the snow. The next time you head to Mount Buller, try some of these activities as an alternative to skiing.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is a great alternative to skiing and snowboarding as it allows you to explore the slopes at a slower pace (with less chance of falling over). The Yeti snowshoeing tour departs daily at 12pm and 1.30pm and goes for about an hour, with snowshoe hire and a private guide included in the price of $33 per person. Tours are able to cater to all abilities, with options including a stroll through the beautiful snowgums surrounding the village and a challenging hike to the summit. There’s also the kid friendly “Mount Buller Gnome Roam” in which snoeshoers explore the ski village via a trail of gnomes who, as guides will explain, are there protect mountain’s endangered pygmy possums. If you want to witness the stark beauty of Mount Buller at sunset, there are also twilight snowshoeing tours that take place each Saturday and Sunday at 5pm. These tours are $55 per person and run for half an hour longer than the regular snowshoeing tours, giving you plenty of time to take in the stunning alpine views. You’ll even get a heartwarming cup of hot cocoa to fuel your exploring.
Dog Sledding
If you’re a lover of animals, the Australian Sled Dog Tours – which have been running on Mount Buller since 2014 – are not to be missed. Join the incredible team of Siberian Huskies and their owners on one of three available sledding adventures, complete with a Husky meet and greet and a photo session. The tours have running times of 1 hour, 1.5 hours and 3.5 hours, where you will either relax as a passenger and enjoy the beautiful scenes as you traverse the snow, or take the reins and learn to handle and drive your own Siberian Husky team.
Toboganning
Tobogganning is a fun snow activity for people of all ages and requires a lot less skill than skiing. Mount Buller has two designated toboganning areas (one in the day carpark next to Celia’s Kiosk and the other in the Village Snowplay Park). Toboggans are available for hire from various mountain rental outlets and during peak season the Village Snowplay Park extends its opening hours on Saturday and Sunday nights so you can race down the slopes to your heart’s content.
Snow picnic
If you prefer a more relaxing snow experience, why not pack yourself a picnic and lay down a rug on a soft patch of snow where you can watch other mountain-goers pass by. As long as you’re properly rugged up (and bring a thermos of hot chocolate for good measure), a mountainside picnic is the perfect way to take in your surroundings and while away an afternoon.
Snow sculpting
No trip to the snow is complete without an attempt at building a snowman, however the fun doesn’t have to stop there. See how elaborate you can make your snow sculptures and run your own mini competitions with friends and family. For inspiration, take the Mount Buller sculpture walk beforehand, where you can view a diverse collection of permanent sculptures dotted throughout Mount Buller Village.
Scenic helicopter flight
If you truly want a once in lifetime experience, a scenic helicopter flight is the ultimate way to experience the magical views of Mount Buller, Mount Stirling and the expansive High Country. The flights only operate on a few dates each season (the remaining dates for this season are the 19th and 26th of August and the 2nd of September) and there are two different routes (the Local Flight and the Coffee at Craig’s Hut Flight) to choose from.
Alpine cinema
If you need a break from the snow, why not catch a movie at Australia’s highest cinema. Usually two films are screened at Mount Buller cinema, including new releases, and there’s an attached kiosk where you can stock up tasty snacks before your chosen film.
There are plenty of ways to enjoy yourself in the snow that don’t involve hitting the slopes. If you’re planning a day trip to Mount Buller, let Melbourne On The Move take care of your transportation needs. We offer daily coach transfers to Mount Buller (which include entry fee), departing from the corner of Flinders and Russel Streets in the CBD at 06.30am.