Aussies, Swiss, Austrians and Scandinavians share a love of the great outdoors. But few Europeans can picture how a blanket of snow can transform the Australian bush into a unique winter landscape where gum trees bend over double under ice and snow. The hardy Norwegian miners who ventured into mountain goldfields over a century ago were no doubt as surprised as modern travellers by the harshness of Australian highland winters. With the mines snowbound they shaped roughly hewn skis and began the sport of skiing down under. Today modern, sophisticated, mountain resorts have arisen in the domain of the old miner and cattleman and can offer a real holiday alternative in that far away country.
High Country
To find what Aussies call the 'High Country' open up a map of Australia. Then draw a line from just south of Canberra, Australia's capital, follow it over the Snowy Mountains and Mt. Kosciusko, the continent's highest summit, cross the Bogong High Plains and Mt. Bogong, and finish at Mt. Buller near Mansfield in Victoria; that's over 300km in all and much of it lies under deep snow from July through September.
This is high plains country with few soaring peaks but with mountainsides of mountain ash, the tallest flowering plants on spaceship earth. A land where green valleys are cut by fast flowing rivers and the forests are full of the sounds of the mimicking lyrebird, the tinkling bellbird and a hundred other choristers. It is excitement country where adventure beckons nordic skiers to the lonely plains and downhillers to plunging runs through avenues of sculptured snow gums.
Mt Buller
Mt. Buller, is a typical Australian resort and in Aussie parlance, lies just outside Melbourne's back door and can be reckoned to be part of her extended backyard. Here Melburnians learn to ski, drink the fiery sweet schnapps, fall in love and come under the spell of the high country that stretches all the way to Canberra. For travellers it is the closest ski field to an international airport.
In geological terms Australia is an old continent and mountain peaks like Buller are the exception. Her snow-capped summit soars above the plains of Mansfield some 200 kilometres north east of Melbourne. The three hour journey from the airport is pure delight-the road winding through green pastures and rolling hills, by golden wattle groves on the banks of the swift flowing Goulburn River and concluding with a dramatic ascent through tall forest. Nothing however prepares the traveller for the arrival. Suddenly a gondolier chair lift crosses the road and glistening ski runs sweep down from the summit bisecting the forest. Then around another bend, surprise, surprise, a sophisticated alpine ski village with distinct Austrian influences set among the gum trees, high on the roof of Australia.
Mt. Buller boasts the most extensive lifts and groomed trails in Australia with exciting runs to test and thrill all skill levels. The Austrian heritage comes from the Europeans whose pioneering spirit and energy 40 years ago manicured the wilderness and created the comforts we expect in the '90's. A recent Italian style church and bell tower, enhance the unique blend of Europe and the Aussie bush in the snow.
Skiing by its very nature can be more expensive than other holiday alternatives. However the big news for '96 is that many Mt. Buller ski packages have a 'Ski Guarantee' thanks to an extensive snow making system. Your ski holiday is now backed by money back insurance on all lift and lesson packages should there be insufficient snow. The deal also extends to accommodation in many of the lodges.
Mt. Buller has invested over $6 million dollars in snow making. A dam has been built, intriguingly near the top of the mountain, and both beginner and advanced slopes have had underground piping laid. As soon as the night temperature falls to around zero huge fans pour a mixture of water and compressed air into the frosty night air which falls as snow. Costing $2,000 an hour to run it is considered a cheap investment and enables those taking part in early season packages to be assured good skiing conditions.
Lodges range from the warm, clubby atmosphere of Enzian to the first class comfort of the mountains newly completed luxury hotel, the 'Mount Buller Chalet', a five star wonder complete with pool, spa, sauna, steam bath, masseurs (just the thing after a day on the slopes) and squash courts. Cheaper accommodation lies just off the mountain at Pinnacle Valley Resort or at the Alzburg Inn Resort, in Mansfield an hour from the slopes where a former 'Sisters of Mercy' has become a comfortable resort and guest house.
Mt. Buller is just one of Australia's fun mountains. With guaranteed snow, hospitality, great food, and a unique mountain culture why not consider an off season ski holiday as part of your Australian experience, laugh with new found friends and simply enjoy the exhilaration of breathing pure mountain air atop the snow-capped mountains of Australia For more information about Mansfield in Victoria, Australia please visit these excellent sites: Mansfield Travelbook - Buttercup.com.au
