Interested to know how BB is a draw for you over the big 3... If you are Melb based it isn't a whole lot closer time wise than Buller. Checked the BB website for lift tix but it's so shit that it doesn't even give any prices so unsure how much cheaper that'd be for kids...
Yup. BB comes and goes. Opportunity resort. Note that the 4 month guaranteed cover in 68 (Baw Baw Bear's post) probably included 2 months of bum busting ice, even then. And now ???
"Melbourne based" is a pretty wide area. For anyone living in the south east, especially beyond the intersection of the Eastern Ring Road and the Monash, Baw Baw is at least 30mins shorter, so 1 hour less travel on a day trip.
Yesterday it was 2:40 from the very top to my front door, and that included coming down in chains and then taking them off at the gate. That's an hour less than my place to Buller gate in good weather. Entry is $57 so a little bit more expensive than Buller. The real saving is lift tickets, which are $55 on weekdays and kids under 6 are free, kids lessons are $70. So I can put my kid in a lesson and he can ski all day, and I can ski all day, and that costs the same as my lift ticket at Buller. Yes I know the terrain cannot be compared, but for what a 3yo needs it's perfect (unless they're one of those freak gun kid skiers, **** those kids), and for me on a half a foot of fresh it's a good couple of hours with no one around, then hang around at the pub, make a snowman etc and be home before dark.
Not sure where you went looking for it but i found the lift ticket prices in 2 clicks, select plan your trip and lift passes comes up as an option
You can't beat lodge accom and lift prices at BB mid week. Best place to teach your kids how to ski. Virtually empty mid week which is a shame.
Has anyone seen the new Mt Baw Baw app on Iphone? Well done to the mountain management who got this in place
Couple that with no oversnow costs and pretty easy access when there's enough snow to ski through the village area, and it's a neat little place. It also teaches your kids to ride pomas and t-bars, a very underrated skill.
School camps there back in the 80's with great snow cover was where I learnt. Perfect spot as enough to keep 15 year olds entertained for a week but not too big to get lost. Ski in ski out with good snow.
I reckon the time i'd move from BB to a bigger mountain would be about the time my kids would be confident on LBS or similar type run. Which is a few years away.
Thinking of heading to Baw Baw this weekend for the first time! Does anyone have any tips? Cover looks pretty good! Thanks in advance.
'Almost' sealed road. It's not a gravel dirt goat track, that's for sure. In most weather can do 60-70km/h on most of it. A few potholes to watch out for but nothing crazy.
Did it today, easy peasy: can have the road to yourself. The 'resort' was slightly busier than say Wednesdays we have done, but you know, I Iike it. And it is a tad over 2h from SE Melb.
Good Gravel roads are no big deal for a good car and driver - most alpine roads were gravel until the 60/70s & Hotham/Baw Baw the 90s. SFR is a good gravel road and is an excellent choice if your non drivers are pukers.
Good to know! I’ve been on some dodgy gravel roads but by the sounds of it, this one is the way to go!
Thanks for the info everyone. We’re trying to avoid interschools at Buller and the XC marathon at Falls Creek. Never skied at Baw Baw so thought we might give it a go. Not sure what to expect though in terms of runs and conditions! To be honest, we’re intermediates (mid to upper?) so we don’t need black terrain to be satisfied at this stage. Any thoughts? Thanks again for being so helpful - much appreciated!
XC ski Conditions are good at Mt.Stirling. I was up there today. Take Kicker skins for the uphill bits. I should be up at Mt St. G. soon.
The runs are short, fairly easy but fun. It's also a lot easier to access if you're from SE Subs. Until ~ 5-10 years ago I would have said lack of crowds was a big plus over say Buller/LMtn but that doesn't apply these days. Not unless you head xc. To be fair the village & eateries seem busier than the ski runs, so give it a whirl. Use it or lose it I say!!
Thank you for the fast reply. I should have mentioned we are downhill skiers Must try my hand at XC though!
Cheers Mr T - should be there next Saturday if weather behaves. Any issues to be aware of? Is the summit well covered? I would certainly take kickers - especially as I'll probably be on wide, waxy tele skis.
Too true!! Good to know. I know it can vary week to week, but how would you say lift queues are at the moment? Sorry if I’m pushing my question limit... Thanks again!
. No ski hazards or issues. The summit was ICY. Good skiing. Great Weather! .I will answer questions about Mt.Stirling in my trip report . Please discuss Mt.Stirling with me at that thread.
It's easy to move across if one lift is getting busy, not that there are many lifts, but it's a fun mountain
Baw Baw was in the forefront of many technique breakthroughs in the past. Snurfing, snorfing, skoarding, it's imperceptible slope let innovators experiment with very little chance of damaging themselves. Lookin for hi fives from those still chargin down the mountain today. Check the parka:
Was there yesterday also. Great day! Brilliant sunshine all day, great cover and groomed as well. Another skier said that the groomer was out of action for the past couple of weeks due to the machine having suffered a breakdown and was waiting for a part, but obviously fixed now. Yes, South Face Road in good condition and a much less stressful drive than the old road, especially coming home late Friday afternoon. The chance of meeting a 4WD coming up for the weekend on a tight corner is not a problem on the SFR.
Those were the days, my friend ! Yesterday ( Saturday) I observed that the chameleon Big Hill Poma has belatedly taken over the role of the hair raising Tank Hill for beginners. They have got it easy now. Very slow running to the first tower. Tank Hill Park looks perfect. No doubt they will take away the fences for Sunday showoffs .. Should groom Home Run . Let's have some NZ style skier individual responsibility, aunty!
Home Run (widened and groomed, with mucho sno deposited beneath the windows of the "booked" Central Restaurant" ) is a logical development of SuperBaw. I love serendipity . As I paused half way down that run contemplating advantages/ disadvantages of an outofbounds excursion, 4 unknown fearful tyro boarders called down "Shoulders or feet, Bel ?" I Whole Bodied to the bottom, one of the group took the plunge and landed in my arms. ( Only small littery license used here. )
http://www.janebunn.net/mt-baw-baw Looks like BB and MSG will get some snow next week. I am keen to XC ski at MSG soon before the September sun starts working on the snow cover.
littery Covered or encumbered with litter; consisting of or constituting litter. littery licence Posting a detectable amount of rubbish . Actually, in the above, the call was "Shoulders or feet, shaggs ?" Possibly not a polite way for students to address their guru. And she wriggled free..
Like a few others I too shall be frequenting Baw Baw in the coming seasons, encouraging the next generation.
