[VIC] Snow Resorts - Money Saving Tips and Good Deals ?

[Deactivated] on 02/07/2018 - 18:05
Last edited 02/07/2018 - 19:04 by 1 other user

Hello everyone.

I was hoping to visit Mt Buller, Mt Hotham or Falls Creek on 2nd week August for 2 days (one night stay) with a few friends.
As a Proud Ozbargainer, I couldn't think of paying full prices on entrance and lift passes and gear + clothes hire. But it was very hard for me to find discounts on lift passes :(

I was planning to drive there with hire 4wd car (mine is 2wd with no traction control). I was planning to stay in AIRBNB for one night (~$350/night for 5 people) outside of the resort. Pre-purchase lift passes online (up to 10% off).

Are there any better alternatives to this? I have never been to snow in my lifetime. Any suggestions to make this trip better will be appreciated! Thank you

Travel

Comments

  • dylo on 02/07/2018 - 18:19

    This gives you a family room for up to four but could be 5 judging by the bedding configuration https://www.groupon.com.au/deals/ga-merrijig-motor-inn-resor…

    • [Deactivated] on 04/07/2018 - 08:56

      Nice find. It's Around the same price as a two or three bedroom house in Airbnb..I think that will be a better choice for me than a hotel atm.

  • poboy on 02/07/2018 - 18:22
    +1

    It's hard to ski on the cheap. It's really limited to 'bring your own food'. Looks like it will be an excellent season.

    • poboy on 02/07/2018 - 20:58
      +2

      These are all nsw threads.

  • dny on 02/07/2018 - 19:59
    +5

    assuming your car is big enough, you don't need to hire a 4WD car. A 2WD can safely drive up the mountain with a set of snow chains which can be rented for fairly cheap.

    • BobLim on 02/07/2018 - 22:03

      Buller Sports in Mansfield gives you free chains if you rent ski gear there

      Edit: There's also a fair chance your rental agreement won't let you take the 4WD into alpine areas (or possibly anything offroad either)…

    • [Deactivated] on 04/07/2018 - 08:51

      @dny My car is big enough.. but doesn't have traction control ( wheel will keep spinning when it loses traction, won't kill power to get traction). Wouldnt that be an issue?

      • dny on 04/07/2018 - 12:15

        If the road is clear and you're not required to fit chains, its no different to driving on a wet road.
        If there is snow or ice on the road and you have to fit the chains, the snow chains act as traction control and you'll typically be limited to 20-30km/h

        If you drive sensibly and within your limits, not having traction control is absolutely not an issue.

  • garffi on 02/07/2018 - 21:49
    +1

    Resort entry - Hardly any discounts. I know Mt Buller had an early bird deal where you visit the ticket box within a certain period of time.
    Lift Passes - Assuming you're an adult, lift passes can be very expensive. It may be cheaper to go during weekdays but look out for the offers page. Mt Buller has a Discover Pass that might interest you.
    Gear/clothes hire - If you want cheap hire, maybe look for a shop that's off mountain. I don't mean the town before the snow but in the suburban area. Not sure where you're located in Vic, but check out Mac's Waterski World in Moorabbin if you're close by.

    As someone mentioned above, you can drive up the mountain with a 2WD car. Even if you have a 4WD, all cars are required to carry snow chains by law. So save that money for the snow chains.

    Here's my opinion on the snow resorts. Mt Buller has trails fit for all levels and is a great option for the first timer to visit. However, it can get very busy on the main lift/run which is where you will mostly spend your time learning. Hotham is more for intermediate skiers as there's lot's of blue/black runs and hardly any greens. I wouldn't really suggest this mountain for a beginner. Falls Creek has a few wide green runs perfect for learning and is a bit less crowded than Mt Buller imo. I would recommend Falls Creek over Mt Buller. (I'm a little biased because Mt Buller has (profanity) me over so many times with their sly business tactics)

    Enjoy the snow! This season is off to a great start, hopefully it'll last. (I'm currently at Hotham :P)

    • [Deactivated] on 04/07/2018 - 08:53

      Thanks.

      I'm in eastern suburbs.. Blackburn or Camberwell area works anything here nearby? How much should I expect to pay for a ski pack including clothes?

      • dny on 04/07/2018 - 12:21
        +1

        Falls creek has a beginner lesson pass which gives you a half day lesson and access to the beginners lifts for the rest of the day.
        You can look into it here https://www.fallscreek.com.au/beginnerprograms/

        • [Deactivated] on 05/07/2018 - 18:05

          Thanks a lot.that might be really helpful.

      • garffi on 04/07/2018 - 17:35
        +1

        Sorry not familiar with shops around that area. Generally ski equipment and clothes are separate. I read that you're leaning towards Falls Creek, then I can recommend Rock Valley(located on the way to Falls Creek) for ski hire as I remember searching through the lot and it was the cheapest at that time. Currently for one adult hiring 2 days, it's $75 for ski equipment and $40 for clothing. If you hire 2 or more adult ski equipments, they offer you free chain hire (save $35).

        • [Deactivated] on 05/07/2018 - 18:06

          Oh. Nice. Thank you. Will check them out

  • Randxyz123 on 02/07/2018 - 22:35

    Are there any better alternatives to this? I have never been to snow in my lifetime.

    Which mountain are you going to?

    Staying off mountain looks attractive but really have a look at on mountain and see how much you're saving. After a day of skiing (and for someone who's been doing it for over 15 years), I'm absolutely exhausted. The last thing I want to do is get out of all my ski crap and drive back down the mountain.

    Especially if you go to Hotham, that road is pretty horrid and if it snows and the road to harriettville closes you will be stuck 4wd or not 4wd.

    You'll need to hire chains. I'd recommend hiring chains in Melbourne and practicing putting them on. Bring a head torch, some lined work gloves and a ground sheet with padding so you can put them on easily.

  • emaydedewhy on 02/07/2018 - 23:41
    +1

    If you're looking to hire a car Jucy rentals does a Ski4Free promo at Hotham where you get 1 free lift pass per day you hire.

  • singlemalt72 on 03/07/2018 - 08:05
    +1

    I was planning to drive there with hire 4wd car (mine is 2wd with no traction control).

    Waste of money you do not need a 4WD to go to the snow - Hell I drove over Hotham once during a late season blizzard in a XG Fodd ute with no chains - not a problem.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/07/2018 - 00:36
    +1

    Thanks guys. Seems like there is not much offers going on at the moment.

    I'm leaning towards Falls creek at the moment. What's the best price you guys paid for snow gear and clothing hire?

  • CMH on 06/07/2018 - 23:37
    +1

    I drove whole of the season last year to Mt Hotham in a 2004 Corolla with no traction control, no ABS… every day of every weekend. It's definitely doable. Just go slow AND let everyone pass you on the way up (that's what the little spaces on the left are for, go in there and let people behind you pass). That way you're not pressured into going any faster than you're comfortable with.

    I've seen people drive up doing 30km/hour the whole way up.

    Once you have the chains on, definitely keep your speed below 40km/h. If you need to brake, do it early while your car's going straight, not as you're turning as you normally would on a normal road. If you don't you may find the wheels you don't have chains on lose traction, and you don't really need to be going fast to do so.

    Put on chains only when they tell you to. Not when you see the snow, not when you feel like you need it. Driving with chains on bitumen is bad for the road and bad for your car's tires and handling and gives you absolutely no upside at all. On the road to Hotham there's always a Hoys van and lots of signage where you need to fit chains, not sure about the road to Falls Creek.

    I have personally seen a group of drivers (probably started with one newbie, and every newbie behind them followed suit) stop right after a blind corner in the middle of the road up to Hotham to put on their chains. Please don't do that.

    As far as saving money goes… Off mountain is a good choice, but you will need to drive up and down every day. Even if you're used to driving it like I am, other issues include losing out on after-ski on-mountain activities. Which is mostly centered around drinking/partying. Sounds the same as doing off mountain but the difference is you get to puke in the snow after. Could be a once in a lifetime experience.
    Staying the night in the snow could be an experience in itself.
    Night skiing. Fun if you're still doing green runs, or willing to muck around on a green run. Usually super quiet compared to day skiing, which means much smaller queues and less lift stoppages from people falling over getting off. Plus it's at night, whip out your glowsticks and glow all the way down! please dispose properly after

    Renting snow clothing is cheaper than buying. All they really hire out is pants and jacket, so if you have waterproof pants/jacket you're golden. Just layer up properly for the conditions. You will still need gloves and goggles. No choice but to buy. You MAY get away with KMart gloves if the weather's good, but expect them not to last the day (I'd bring 2 pairs). You also MAY get away without goggles if it's not too windy (on a good day I ski without them anyway). Helmets are being touted as the must-have safety accessory. It's use is not mandatory in Australia, nor in the vast majority of ski resorts overseas due to a lack of concrete evidence that it actually does anything. For now.

    Bargain to be had (sorry just realised it's sold out/over)

    I saw this the other weekend I was up and I wished they had it when I was a new skier. For $79 it includes:
    * 1-day beginner lift pass
    * All inclusive ski or snowboard equipment hire
    * Outerwear pants, jacket, helmet, boots and wrist guards hire
    * 5-hour group lesson
    * Lunch at The Bird
    * Morning coffee and afternoon après drink

    Probably does stop you from accessing higher level runs but if you're a total beginner you won't be going there anyway.

    • dny on 07/07/2018 - 15:10

      Cheap gloves and goggles can be had from Costco if you have a membership. Some Aldi's still have some cheap snow gear laying around too.
      I would definitely recommend a helmet if you're boarding. All it takes is for you to catch a back edge and you snap back and hit the ground with your head.
      I did this once, luckily in the softer snow of Japan, and it was enough for me to black out for a few moments. Since then I don't think twice about recommending a helmet for people looking to take up snowboarding.

      Completely agree with everything about driving up. Excellent tips.

      • CMH on 07/07/2018 - 18:04

        For anyone using helmets, just remember you need to replace said helmet with every blow you take to the head, otherwise don't bother. Same rules with bicycle and motorcycle helmets really.

        Aldi's stuff is actually quite good, and I know some instructors swear on them. Only problem they usually just sell them once at the start of the season. Haven't heard anything about Costco's stuff (good or bad).

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