TL;DR
After nine years of skiing Victorian resorts, I finally made the trip to Mt Baw Baw - Victoria's closest ski resort to Melbourne at just 2.5 hours drive. With $89 lift tickets and terrain designed specifically for beginners, this small resort fills a particular niche in the Victorian Alps. Here's what you need to know about Mt Baw Baw before planning your visit, including the reality of what this local hill offers versus the larger alpine resorts.
Mt Baw Baw Delivers Exactly What It Promises - A Beginner-Friendly Local Hill
After watching weather patterns for weeks waiting for clear conditions, I finally made the drive to Mt Baw Baw instead of paying Falls Creek's $50 day pass. Despite skiing Victorian resorts consistently since 2015, this was my first visit to what many consider the state's most accessible ski area.
Located 2.5 hours from Melbourne, Mt Baw Baw positions itself as Victoria's entry-level ski resort, and after a full day on the mountain, I can confirm it delivers precisely what's advertised - nothing more, nothing less.
The Reality of Mt Baw Baw's Terrain
Mt Baw Baw operates exclusively with Poma lifts and T-bars - there are no chairlifts on this mountain. Four lifts were running during my visit, with one main beginner lift offering decent pitch but notably short runs. Two additional lifts service the summit area, though "summit" might be generous given the limited vertical drop.
