Lake Mountain is an all-year destination a stone's throw away from the Yarra and Goulburn valleys. The resort offers an on-mountain ski school for first-time skiers, a beginners snowboarding terrain park, tobogganing and plenty of other activities including a flying fox, tube ride and laser skirmish. While there is no downhill skiing or snowboarding (and no lifts) Lake Mountain still offers 30 km of groomed cross country skiing. In the warmer months, the resort is an ideal day-trip destination for bushwalking, mountain biking, cycling, trail running, leisurely picnics and nature walks.
Distance from Melbourne
About a 2.5hr drive.
Cost
Resort entry is $57 per vehicle (up to ten people). Bigger groups receive discounted entry and buses (school or otherwise) pay per person.
Equipment hire
Ski packages (skis, boots and poles) start at $40 per adult or child. Snowshow packages (including boots and poles) start at $25 per child and $35 per adult. A toboggan package (toboggan, pants and boots) start at $50 per child and $60 per adult. Rental for just a toboggan is $14 per day.
Where to stay
Accommodation is just a hop and skip away in Lake Mountain's beautiful surrounding towns and villages. There are caravan and holiday parks for budget travellers which start at $95 per night, or middle-range, self-contained lakeside cottages in Healesville and Marysville for around $200 per night.
For those seeking a lavish retreat, Woodlands Rainforest Retreat in Narbethong is just a 30-minute drive from Lake Mountain. The chalet offers a luxe in-ground jet spa, balcony views, cosy fireplaces, a minibar and in-room kitchens. There's also nearby access to horse riding, free bike rentals, optional local cuisine breakfast and in-room massages for an additional cost.
What to do on the offseason
Hire a mountain bike or bring your own to Lake Mountain in the warmer months for a more relaxed off-road experience or road cycling adventure. Relaxed nature walks or more intense mountain climbs are all possible across the mountain trails. Alternatively, you can try laser skirmish, the flying fox or the tube run.