SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING
Victoria has some major ski resorts, and the great news is that they're all just a couple of hours from Melbourne. As surreal as it seems, there's snow in this hot and sunny land. Now that's something to write home about!
Something for everyone
Whether you're a beginner or a pro, there's a resort to suit you. Lake Mountain is strong on mountain sports like cross-country skiing, and Mt Buller has a big mountain feel with lodges and luxury hotels. Mount Hotham is definitely the place for serious powder freaks, and if you want it all, then Falls Creek is great at combining the lot.
If you're a snowboarder, you'll find enough challenging terrain, phat air and cliff drops to make an extended visit to the region worthwhile.
When to hit the slopes
The snow season starts in June, and winds up in the first week of October but, as always, it can be a bit unpredictable – so keep your eye on the snow reports.
Logistics
One thing you'll notice about Victoria is that most mountain accommodation lies above the snowline. While there's a range of accommodation options available (including hostels), it's cheaper to stay off-mountain in one of the nearby towns. From there you can catch a shuttle service to the snow.
If you're hoping to pick up some work, apply in March for snow season jobs. For details contact the resorts direct.
