SKIERS
AND SNOWBOARDERS REJOICE!!!
MOUNT
BULLER HAS GREAT PLANS FOR SKI SEASON 2008
In late May 2008 I went to Mt Buller to see the development that has taken place on the mountain over summer.
According to Amber Gardner of resort management, some $40m has been spent. You can easily see where the money has gone - some fantastic new lodges have been built, others refurbished, but most of all, there have been extensions to the snowmaking areas and A NEW SIX-SEATER CHAIRLIFT to replace the old Abom triple at Helicopter Flat. It gets to the top station in under four minutes, and will become the main access to the vast summit area.
With the new six-chair in place, the BB2 chairlift has been removed to open up more terrain around Baldy - and it'll be visually more appealing when the snow provides a full cover. There are plans to redevelop the BB2 top station, but to what? Snowmaking will be enhanced this year by the recycling of Buller's waste-water to make snow, and there are heaps of new automated snow guns that come on whenever conditions are right
Mount
Buller is the closest ski resort to Melbourne and it's only around
three and a half hours drive from the suburbs. Close enough
for a day trip if you're really keen, but I recommend at least
a couple of days there. As a result of reviewing for The Age and
self-financed ski holidays over three decades, I can offer authoritative
insights into my favourite mountain. While visiting for a few days from July 1st last year, the snow was absolutely dumping down for a couple of days - most of the runs were open and snow depth was just under a metre.
I hope 2008 will be as good - all the new snowmaking will help, and the "green" recycled water should never run out. Day lift tickets are $94 this year. The Buller Club discounts are a good deal if you intend skiing often.
Where
to stay: (your comfort level is directly related to the size of your wallet)
Arlberg
Hotel:
Ski-in/ski-out to Bourke Street. An oldie on the mountain, has some refurbished rooms with kitchenette, and new apartments (which probably won't be finished for 2008 season). Still old-ish but the rooms are clean, comfortable, serviced daily,
ski hire, souvenirs, pizzeria,
restaurant, and transport to door. This one is for families who
need a basic, comfortable bedroom (with bathroom). Some arcade
games, and nightly kids' entertainment.. I stayed here
with my daughter last July and our room had been totally refurbished, though finishing touches remained to be completed. Don't expect perfection at Arlberg, but it is convenient for skiers. ph 03 5777 6260 cheap-ish
Mt Buller Chalet has been on the mountain for a few
years now. Not cheap, but great location opposite Blue Bullet1
chairlift. Sixty-five rooms from comfortable, modern hotel-style
to suites with kitchen. There's a gym, indoor pool, squash courts,
a top restaurant, busy café, plus two incredibly luxurious and
incredibly expensive suites (Howqua and Delatite) for those with an unlimited
budget. Ski-in; ski hire available. Metres from village centre,
shops, eateries. 03 5777 6566 mid-high range
Abom – short for the Abominable Snowman. Some new apartemnts completed for this year - I couldn't get to inspect them so I have no idea what they're like. Abom is one of the mountain’s
original eateries, and still feeds plenty of hungry skiers. Little remains of the original Abom. Lunch from 11am but get in early - coffee service can be painfully slow. Ok
for dinner, extension of dining areas and some refurbishment of older style guest
rooms keeps the Abom popular. Older rooms downstairs are ok. Ski in/out. 03 5777 7899 cheapish old rooms, to higher price apartments
Across
the road is “The Whitt,” the Ski
Club of Victoria’s lodge. You can eat well here, or stay
as a non-member. Rooms are older style but adequate if you're not looking for
luxury. 20metres from Bourke Street, ski in/out in good season 03 5777 6024 cheap-ish
André’s
at Buller is a luxurious bed and breakfast lodge with
5 excellent ensuite rooms. I plan on staying here this season. Full cooked breakfast in dining room,
guest lounge with open fire, great views. Ski-in/out if Shakey
Knees run is open which it should be with snowmaking. 03 5777 6966 mid-price
The
Duck Inn has one of Buller's best restaurants, by reputation
- I haven't tried it. Guest rooms are older style but adequate
if you need only a place to sleep after a long day on piste. Ski
hire is good, but a walk/bus to the slopes. 03 5777 6326 cheap-ish
Breathtaker
was a place I stayed several times about 20 years ago. I remember
staying one mid-July with no snow in the early 1980s. Good lodgings
then, it has since been turned into luxury guest suites and spa
complex. Almost ski-in/out. 03 5777 6377 mid-high price
Pension
Grimus is y alongside Helicopter Flat ski school
area and the new Abom chairlift. I haven't been inside in the last few years, but by reputation
it has has seen a tremendous lift in quality with the new section
of luxury rooms, good food - again, by reputation.
03 5777 6396 mid-high price
Nearby, off mountain you could try:
Buttercup Cottages at Merrijig about 20mins from the slopes. Two luxury family cottages in peaceful countryside 03 5777 5591
Wombat Hills Cottages near Mansfield, about 35mins from slopes. 2 stone built luxury cottages with spa and open fires, suit couples. Breakfast/dinner avail. 03 5776 9507
For the past
25 years Peter Robinson has travelled far and wide but Australia,
being home, is his first love. As an experienced travel writer
and professional photographer, his wealth of knowledge is revealed
in travel and accommodation reviews that have freelance integrity
and honesty. The main focus of this site is to present brief reviews
of a select group of places to stay for the weekend. Each place
has been visited at least once and evaluated for high standards
before inclusion - and after reviewing over 600 places Peter has
done the hard work so you can enjoy Great
Weekends Away.
