How to do the snow on the cheap in Victoria in 2026

Mt Buller is one of the easiest skiing or snowboarding spots to access from Melbourne. It's about a three-hour drive, and it offers tons of budget options. Booking early is the key, and if you stay mid-week, you can take advantage of discounts on on-mountain accommodation and lift passes. If you're taking the family, you'll be pleased to hear that Buller also offers some ‘kids stay free’ deals. Concerned there's going to be no snow on the weekend you've planned? No problem – Buller has a ‘snow guarantee’, which means you'll get your money back if the runs aren't open.

Check out all the deals for 2026 on the Buller bargains page.

This picturesque alpine village is located just two-and-a-half hours from Melbourne. It's smaller than Mt Buller (with seven lifts), but it still offers great downhill skiing, plus snow play areas for families. Like Buller, you can save some dollars by going mid-week. Baw Baw also offers low-cost snow and lift passes, starting at $89 per adult, and tobaggoning passes at $20. If you're travelling as a family of four (with kids under the age of 17), you can save big by booking your lift passes together. A family pass for two adults and two kids will set you back $257 in 2026.

Check out all the Baw Baw deals via the website.

Keen to spend a day at the snow, but not as fussed about downhill skiing? Take the two-hour drive to Lake Mountain, where you'll pay $69 (pre-booked online) to enter the resort, or if you enter via commercial bus, it's $12 per kid and $22 per adult. From there, you can choose to go tobogganing on one of the dedicated toboggan slopes, hang out with the family at the Snowman's Village, or try out cross-country skiing. Tobogganing day passes are priced at $33 per adult and $11 per child in 2026. You can also rent your snow gear on-site (but don't forget your own beanies, gloves, socks and goggles).

Learn more and rent gear ahead of time via the website.

One of Australia's highest ski resorts, Mt Hotham has 13 lifts and more than 80 runs suited best to intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders. It also has 320 hectares of ski terrain, its own airport, a bunch of restaurants and bars, and even a luxe day spa – but it is furthest away from Melbourne (about 4.5 hours). For a trip that won't break the bank, opt for off-peak dates (June and September), and if you pick up a lift ticket of three days or more, you can ski or snowboard for free after 3pm on the day prior to your selected start day.

More info can be found on the website.

Closest to the border of NSW, Falls Creek is nestled in the centre of the Victorian Alps, halfway between Melbourne and Canberra. Unlike other ski resorts, Falls Creek closes its on-mountain roads to vehicles for the majority of the snow season, allowing for an authentic, ski-in, ski-out experience from lifts to the village. Falls Creek caters for all with downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, night skiing and some epic terrain parks for the thrill-seekers. Book online for resort day entry starting at $69.

Keep your eyes peeled for more on the deals and special offers page.