The Cross-Country Area
Judging by visitor numbers, Lake Mountain Alpine Resort near the megacity of Melbourne is the most popular winter sports resort in Australia. While it doesn't have any ski lifts, the resort features eleven trails for cross-country skiing. Its over 35km/21.7mi of tracks are well signposted and groomed. Thanks to latest European snow making technology, they boast perfect snow conditions all through the winter season. Starting at Lake Mountain Village centre, the cross-country trails head mainly to the north of the resort.
If you aren't totally confident on your skis yet, you can book cross-country lessons. Or opt for one of the other activities on offer: enjoy the landscape on a snowshoe or winter hike, or fly through the treetops on the Flying Fox. Children find plenty of space to play in the snow, toboggan, or even gentle slopes to start snowboarding lessons.
The Most Beautiful Tracks
Easy trails:
- Home Trail
- Taggerty Return
- Muster Trail
- Snowgum Trail
- Echo Flat Trail
More difficult trails:
- Royston Trail (past Melbourne Lookout and Lookout Rock)
- Woolybutt Trail
- Panorama Trail (past Panorama Lookout)
Most difficult trails:
- Jubilee Trail (past High Country Lookout)
Ungroomed trails:
- Long Heath Trail
- Hut Trail (past Boundary Hut Site)
Interesting facts
- The cross-Country skiing area takes you to an elevation of 1,480 m.
- Snow coverage is usually best during August, offering an average base depth of 89 cm.
Videos
Dining along the Tracks
If you're ready for a break, stop at the Bistro. The menu features a diverse range, from pizza and salads to sandwiches and freshly baked cake. You won't be short on coffee and hot chocolate here either. If you'd rather just grab something on the go, you can head to the Kiosk. A quick wrap, sausage roll, or hot and cold drinks provide the perfect refreshment so you can hit the tracks again in no time.
Getting Here
By car
Lake Mountain Alpine Resort is located about a 2 hours' drive from Melbourne. You drive through the eastern suburbs and the beautiful Yarra Valley. Just follow Maroondah Highway over Black Spur to Narbethong, where you take a turn to Marysville. From there, it is only 30 more minutes up the mountain to get to Lake Mountain's winter sports centre.
Public transportation
Getting to Lake Mountain Alpine Resort on public transport is not quite as easy. From Melbourne, you get a Lilydale Line train to Lilydale, where you change onto a McKenzies Bus to Eildon (one or two times a day). To catch the Lake Mountain Bus from Marysville, you're going to have to spend a night or two in town.
