Which Is Better, Mt Hotham Or Falls Creek?

Mt Buller or Mt Hotham Ski Resorts – Everything from Prices to Best Accommodation Options!

If you’re looking at skiing in Victoria this year, you’ve probably heard of Mt Buller and Mt Hotham. Although both are located within the victorian alps and seem pretty close together on the map (around 100km as the crow flies), there is actually an entire mountain range between them. So you would have to drive 265km, 3 hrs 30mins around to reach Hotham from Buller. 

So you know that you can’t easily visit both mountains in one trip so you will need to choose!

Having worked at Mt Buller for 5 years now as both a lifty (the person who turns the lifts) and ski instructor, I am always going to have a soft spot for Buller, BUT, in this post, I will lay out all the good and bad of each mountain, give you a side by side comparison of prices, accommodation, atmosphere and terrain whilst providing my personal opinion on different aspects of both Mt Buller and Mt Hotham to help you choose which ski resort is better for your holiday in 2020.

	Mt Buller	Hotham
Terrain	300ha	320ha
Runs	41	75
Lifts	22	13
Magic Carpets	4	2
Tobogganing	Yes (Not in 2020)	Yes (works in 2020)
Vertical	430m	395m
Longest Run	2.5km	2.5km
Beginner Runs	20%	20%
Intermediate Runs	45%	40%
Experienced Runs	35%	40%
Terrain Parks	4	2
Lift Capacity/ph	33,900	24,485
X-Country	Yes (Mt Stirling)	Yes
Snow Making	79ha	38 ha
Restaurants/Bars/Cafes	36	11
Adult 2 Day Ticket	$152	$289
Multi Mountain Passes	Mountain Collective + Ikon Pass	Epic Pass

 

Some Of The Australia's Best Ski Resorts Are Located Close To Bright

Perched high above the Alpine Valleys sit the much loved Victorian Alpine ski resorts of Mount Hotham and Falls Creek. 

Known as 'Australia's powder capital', Mount Hotham offers terrain for the true skier and snowboarder, with more gentle slopes for the keen beginner.

Falls Creek also offers downhill skiing and snowboarding runs, along with an extensive array of groomed cross country trails that will get you into some of the more remote sections of the resort.

Both ski resorts provide a wide range of facilities, from cafes, restaurants, and pubs to ski equipment hire and lessons.

Summer is also a great time to visit both resorts, with hiking and mountain biking on offer.

Dinner Plain, located near Mount Hotham, is another option for an Alpine experience without the large crowds. It's particularly good if you're looking for a beginner's slope or if you're keen to snow shoe or cross country ski. There are a few places to get a meal or enjoy a beveragsnowshoe can hire ski gear in town as well.

Mt Buller 

Located just 227km, 3 hours drive from Melbourne, Mt Buller is the only resort in Australia which is easily day-tripped from a major city. This is a massive bonus for some as you don’t have to pay for expensive accommodation if you live in Melbourne, and last-minute trips are easily manageable. On the other hand, Mt Buller tends to draw the biggest crowds on weekends and holidays. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean longer lift lines, a large proportion of Mt Buller day trip traffic actually comes from tour groups which are simply there to sightsee and toboggan (in the designated areas).

NOTE: In 2020, Mt Buller is not selling sightseeing tickets, and toboggan areas will be closed, meaning we should see a dramatic reduction in tour groups taking up space in the village. 

Ticket Prices

In 2020, Mt Buller, is prioritising 2 day + lift tickets. These have already begun going on sale, and dates are booking out fast, so get on it early if you want to hit the slopes this year. 

Single-day tickets may be available to book 48 hours in advance if the daily limits are not already filled. 

2-day Lift Ticket Prices: 

Adults: $152 

Children: $86 

Season Pass: Adults, $1,499. Children, $739.

NOTE: These are the prices for tickets currently on sale and are subject to change depending on snow conditions and holiday

Equipment Rental Prices

Buller offers a range of rental equipment with everything from skis to wrist protectors and snow jackets.

PRO TIP: Rental is discounted by 10% when booked online. I highly recommend you do this as your gear will be ready and waiting when you come to collect, and that can be especially essential on busy school holidays. 

2020 Prices: 

Standard skis, boots, poles, helmet package: Adults, $65.70 per day. Kids, $50.40.

TIP: Extra discounts apply for 3-day+ rentals. 

Mt Buller Accommodation

PRO TIP: Mt Buller has a snow guarantee where if certain key lifts aren’t running due to insufficient snow cover within the 2 days before your visit, you can cancel passes, lessons and some participating accommodation for a full refund.

Luxury ($400 + AUD): 

For ultra-luxury, stay in a Whitehorse Village 3 bedroom apartment for ultra-luxury. This is the newest and most exclusive apartment group on Buller, right on the side of the mountain’s main ski run. I have spent quite a lot of time babysitting in these apartments since they were built, and I can honestly say they are the nicest apartments on the entire mountain! 

For full hotel service, including a heated pool and sauna, room service and 24 hr reception, head to Mt Buller Chalet. This is where most of the professional athletes and famous visitors stay!

Middle Priced ($200-400 AUD): 

With multiple different sized bunk rooms to rent and a beautiful spacious kitchen and living room area, Amber Lodge is the perfect option for couples or families wishing to enjoy a typical snow lodge. For a more hotel-like experience, try Abom, located directly opposite the ski school and 100m from the village centre.

Budget (Under $200 AUD):

The beautiful and quaint Kabuki is a great option for those on a budget who would still like to stay on the mountain. Alternatively  just at the bottom of the hill, you will find the Sebel Pinnacle Valley Resort featuring apartments with a shared fitness centre and bar.

Hotham Ski Resort

Located a bit further away from any major cities, Mt Hotham is mostly suited to multi-day ski trips. This also means that on weekends it can be significantly less busy on weekends than Mt Buller.

Equipment Rental Prices

There are similar packages for rentals at Hotham as to all mountains. 

Basic packages include skis/board, boots and poles:

Adults, $72 online or $86 on the day. 

Kids, $56 online, $67 on the day

Hotham Lessons Prices

A major difference between the two mountains this year is that Hotham will be offering public group lessons in addition to private lessons. 

Group lessons are only available for green and yellow levels and have a maximum of 7 participants per instructor. Lessons must be booked in advance. 

Resort Entry and Parking Fees

Similar to Buller, Mt Hotham has a resort entry fee which covers your entrance to the area and parking. This fee applies to anyone entering Hotham, meaning you can’t come in to drop off your friends. Unlike Buller, all days for overnight visitors are equal in price, and it is cheapest if you purchase at least 7 days in advance. 

2020 prices per vehicle: 

7+ days in advance: $48.80 per day

1-7 days in advance: $54.90 per day 

On the day: $56 per day

Facilities

As well as 11 restaurants, bars and cafes, Hotham, has all the other facilities you may want during your snow trip including a post office, supermarket, shops and a spa. 

As I mentioned before, everything is quite spread out in the main Hotham village, but if you prefer the atmosphere of a small village, Dinner Plain just down the road does a much better job of this. 

TIP: Zirkys is the place to go for apres and don’t miss the outdoor, 38-degree onsen in Dinner Plain (within Hotham but not the main village) 

Hotham Accommodation 

Luxury ($300+ AUD)

The incredible apartments at Mountain Dreaming really do make you feel like you’re dreaming with their incredible views and onsite facilities such as bars, cafes and laundry facilities. Alternatively, try Diana Alpine Lodge for a more homely mountain feel with its ski-in access, hot tub and sauna.

Mid Priced ($200-$300 AUD)

For a traditional private snow chalet with exposed wooden beams and an open fireplace, try Diamantina in Dinner Plain. For an onsite bar, restaurant and spa, head to Ramada Resort.

Budget (Under $200 AUD)

Rent this cosy Hotham Home perfect for a couples escape to the snow, centrally located in Hotham Heights. Alternatively, head to Hotel High Plains in Dinner Plain for an onsite restaurant and bar just a short walk from the Onsen. 

Comparing Mt Hotham, Mt Buller, And Falls Creek Ski Resorts In Victoria, Australia,

The Victorian Alps is home to some of Australia’s highest mountains and offers some excellent and diverse skiing conditions.

Mt Hotham, Mt Buller and Falls Creek are three of Victoria’s largest and most popular ski resorts. We will profile and compare all three of these resorts side-by-side.

Compare Mt Buller Ski Resort And Mt Hotham Ski Resort

Mt Hotham ski resort and Mt Buller ski resort both have their own unique features as ski resorts. Mt Hotham is often titled as a real skier’s destination amidst aggressive terrain coupled with more snow than other Victorian ski resorts. Mt Buller is highly popular, due to its proximity to Melbourne, which has made it a very popular weekend-away destination.

Skiers describe Mt Hotham as an upside-down ski resort because the village locates itself above the vast majority of terrain, meaning you ski down to the chairlift from your lodging every morning.

With approximately 50km of trails plus access to lots of off-piste terrain, Mt Hotham caters more for intermediate and advanced skiers and boarders.

Accommodation is in both Mt Hotham and Dinner Plain, which is about 15 minutes down the road. The town, which sprawls along the mountain road between these 2 villages, has a real skier’s vibe to it, with hangout bars to hideaway in after a day on the slopes.

Mt Hotham is also the only resort in Australia with an airport. Depending on the year and the whim of the airlines, there are direct flights from Melbourne and Sydney. You can land and be skiing within half an hour. Please check with the Mt Hotham to confirm flight accessibility.

Mt Buller is just a 3hr drive from Melbourne. Its proximity makes it one of Australia’s busiest and modern ski resorts with entertainment for all ages, whether it’s the gnome hunt that kids love, Australia’s highest day spa or visiting one of many late-night wine bars. Mt Buller caters well to skiers, après-skiers and non-skiers alike.

Mt Buller offers a larger, more modernised ski area that spans 80kms reaching up to 1780m from 22 ski lifts. The pistes are ideal for all abilities, with long runs for beginners to get up to speed and high-speed lifts to carry intermediate and advanced skiers to their preferred areas.

Compare Mt Buller Ski Resort, And Falls Creek Ski Resort

Mt Buller ski resort and Falls Creek ski resort are often compared to each other as they offer Victoria’s most extensive ski areas coupled with family friendly activities. The highly popular Mt Buller ski resort is an all-rounder, whereas Falls Creek is generally thought of as the leader in family-friendly ski resorts due to its terrain and village layout.

Mt Buller is the busier ski resort due to their closer position to Melbourne. The resort has developed an equal enthusiasm for skiing and après-skiing, which you can see by the quantity of well-located bars, and restaurants.

Falls Creek uniquely provides almost entirely ski-in ski-out accommodation whilst being nestled amongst the Australian gumtrees. This makes it easy for families removing the hassle of lugging equipment around town whilst keeping an eye on the kids. You might be able to sneak in a bar hop without venturing too far from the family as the beautiful compact village has lots of restaurants and bars dotted around.

The skiing on offer is rather extensive, certainly by Australian standards. Mt Buller has options for all ski abilities with snaking beginner runs towards the lower village slopes, and better skiers can explore the 80kms of groomers up to 1780m easily accessed by their 22 lifts. Falls Creek does not feature much steep terrain, rather, there is more lightly pitched skiing on long intermediate trails. Served by 14 lifts with 64kms of piste.

Falls Creek is also home to 65km of X-Country skiing. The Kangaroo Hoppet is held here, Australia’s premier long distance cross country ski race, along with the prestigious Worldloppet series of international cross country ski events. 

Compare Falls Creek Ski Resort And Mt Hotham Ski Resort

Falls Creek ski resort and Mt Hotham ski resort are Victoria’s most contrasting ski areas, with a distinct difference in both the ski style and resort experience.

Falls Creek is an easy going family oriented ski resort with ski-in-ski-out lodging that makes a full in-resort snow experience. Mt Hotham has steeper, more aggressive terrain suitable for advanced adventurous skiers and a more social après-ski atmosphere.

Falls Creek has an excellent range of options that will suit all budgets. Children and families will feel more at home in Falls Creek with activities to keep everyone entertained, whether you want to test out your skills in fun organised ski races or take part in a local treasure hunt. The lodges and hotels are neatly placed, lining the slopes so you can ski down to your ski school or first lift of the morning.

Mt Hotham does share one feature with Falls Creek, the ability to ski to your first lift every morning but in a slightly different way. The unique design to the Mt Hotham means that the village actually sits above the majority of skiable terrain. There are fewer off-the-snow activities on offer here, it really is a skier’s heaven for those who simply want to ski and board hard all day then relax with a good meal or a drink in a local bar.

Falls Creek is there to provide a more family-focused holiday that you can comfortably hone your skills on the smoothly pitched slopes. Mt Hotham is for the ski addict, even if it’s for a swift weekend break, you can fly into the airport and revel in some of the best snow depths in Australia.