Cool climate ... Victorian ski resorts are offering cut-price deals.
James Smith rounds up the ski season bargains in Victoria.
Winter's chills came early to Melbourne last month, bringing heavy snowfalls to the Victorian Alps and, with them, the promise of a long ski season.
The early dumps saw a Mount Buller chairlift opened for skiing throughout May and this should ensure all resorts are ready for visitors on the Queen's Birthday weekend.
Reacting to the cool economic climate, resorts have introduced a range of deals from cut-price ski passes and cheap accommodation to all-inclusive coach trips and free skiing for children.
While the best offers remain at the season's start and end, there are others targeting families with leftover stimulus money and students who fancy a midweek break.
The latest deals are regularly updated on resorts' websites but some of the best offers are listed below.
FALLS CREEK fallscreek.com.au
Home to the most ski runs in Victoria, Falls Creek now has its own village centre. Helping you get there, Melbourne coach company Dyson and Falls Creek Country Club have combined to offer weekend packages from $229 per person (prices based on eight-person apartments filled to capacity). The deal includes two nights' accommodation, two full breakfasts and a buffet dinner, welcome drinks and transfers.
Coaches leave Southern Cross Station at 5.30pm on Fridays to arrive in Falls Creek at 11pm and depart Falls Creek on Sundays at 4pm to arrive back in Melbourne at 9.30pm. The weekends of July 24 to August 21 and the weekend of September 11 are already booked. Email enquiries@fallscreekcountryclub.com.au or call 5758 3391.
There are also White Space packages valid from June 5-25 and September 14 to October 4 that feature discounts on accommodation and lift passes and First Time tickets costing $66 per adult ($45 child) for a two-hour beginner class and all day use of Falls Creek's best beginner lifts. Call 1800 453 525.
MOUNT HOTHAM mthotham.com.au
Mount Hotham's $900 Snow Stimulus Package includes two nights' accommodation in a Dinner Plain chalet for a family of four, a one-day family learn to ski package (lift tickets, lesson and hire) and the hire of two toboggans for two days (valid June 5-25 and September 11-27.
During those weeks there are also savings of up to 50 per cent on lift and lesson packages, while throughout September, families booking three days or more in Hotham receive free lift passes for kids.
Visitors in August's peak season can also save by buying Flexi Fun vouchers. Anyone buying a three-day or more lift and lessons package receives vouchers that can be exchanged for private or group lessons, spa sessions, sunset tours, massages and other activities. And throughout the season, tertiary students receive 50 per cent off lift passes on Fridays. For all deals call 1800 HOTHAM.
MOUNT BULLER mtbuller.com.au
While Mount Buller has been offering limited skiing throughout May, the season launches in full in June. Throughout the month there are Kids Stay Free offers at places including the Mount Buller Chalet and ABOM. The resort extends children's pricing through to year 12 students - a $44 per day saving for teenagers who have to pay adult prices at some other resorts.
Several accommodation providers are offering half price deals for people staying for five nights in September, provided bookings are made before June 28 on 1800 BULLER.
Buller is also looking to attract students with 20 per cent off tickets and rental, rising to 50 per cent on Tuesdays. This season there is also a special deal for tertiary students to stay at the Buller Backpackers. Two days' unlimited lifts and premium ski/board hire and one nights' accommodation (four-share) costs $182, valid Monday to Thursday, June 8-25 and August 31 to October 1. These deals must be booked before May 31 on 1800 810 200.
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