First Timers' Guide

Mt Buller is a special place and for many visitors it's the first time they've seen, feel and experienced the magic of SNOW.  If you're new to snow we're here to help you plan ahead and make it memorable and fun.

If you're new to Mt Buller there are some tips and checklists you'll also find handy as every resort is different:

Before you visit

  Read the First Time Visitors' Guide

  Use the My Planner feature to compare, save, and plan your holiday

  Book accommodation in advance - look for great value mid-week, in June and September

  Self Driving? Buy Resort Entry & Parking before your visit

  Rent wheel chains (all vehicles coming into resort MUST carry chains)

  Staying overnight? Book your rideshare transfer to your accommodation

  Book into Ski & Snowboard lessons (a must for first timers!)

  Buy lift passes and your B-TAG online (a B-TAG is a reloadable pass - your ticket to ride the lifts)

  Book your rental gear and clothing online for easy collection in resort

Accommodation

Mt Buller offers on-mountain and off-mountain accommodation with a variety of options including hotels, apartments and lodges.

There are often special deals available, especially if you book early.

Not sure when to book? In general September is the best value to learn to ski and for kids. Midweek is great value with more space to yourself.

Check out deals and offers such as Kids Stay Free and our Snow Guarantee:

Entry, Parking & Transfers

Resort Entry & Parking is required for those driving to Mt Buller. Pre-book for a smooth arrival. Day parking and multiday overnight parking options are available.

Find out more about transport options here.

*Depending on location, you can walk to or book a ride share transfer to your lodging, if desired. Bus and coach options drop guests off in the heart of the Mt Buller Village. Private Commercial Shuttles often take you directly to you accommodation - check with your provider.

IMPORTANT: All vehicles MUST to carry diamond pattern wheel chains that fit the vehicles tyre profile. They can be hired at multiple locations, including Mansfield, Merrijig, and Mirimbah. You must have them in your vehicle to enter the resort at Mirimbah. This is enforced by the Victorian Police force.  Wheel chains are not available for hire on-mountain.

Lessons

Lessons are strongly recommended for beginners. This is for your safety and enjoyment and the safety of all mountain users.

Mt Buller offers Private and Group lessons. To join a lesson, you will need a valid lift pass, and ski/snowboard equipment.

Choose a ‘lesson only’ product if you already have lift passes, otherwise look for the  ‘lift + lesson’ packages.

Ages 15+

If you are brand new to skiing or snowboarding, we offer a First Timer Lift + Lesson option for 15+ year olds that provides a restricted lift pass to only selected beginner runs (Bourke St Express, ABOM Express and Bourke St carpet). This also includes a 2-hour lesson – strictly for first timers only. See below from the First Timers Guide below for more details.

Ages 3 - 14

Bunyips (3 - 6 year olds) and Buller Kids (7 - 14 year olds) cater for all experience levels and have multiple time slots available.

Lift Passes

To use the lifts and to access the ski area you must have a lift pass. There are different passes available.

The current lift pass options are:

Scenic Chairlift Passes

A Scenic Chairlift ride is a special way to ride high across the ski area and up to Spurs Cafe from the Horse Hill car park. Foot passengers can join the fun up on the mountain with a Scenic Chairlift pass valid for one return ride on the Northside Express.

This pass does not provide access to any other lifts and is strictly for foot passengers to sightsee. All lifts other than Northside Express require a regular lift pass and are for skiers and snowboarders only.

More about Scenic Chairlift passes here.

B-Tag

A B-TAG is an RFID card that gives access to the lifts for skiing and snowboarding.

Anyone skiing or snowboarding must have their own B-TAG. It is assigned to you personally and must not be shared. Your B-TAG loaded with a valid lift pass product is scanned each time you ride the lift.  Store your B-TAG in a secure pocket on your upper body and away from a mobile phones for easy scanning.

When purchasing your lift pass online, you will be asked to purchase a B-TAG for $5.  Add this to your order and you can pick up your B-TAG from a self collection points in the village when you arrive. Your B-TAG is reusable - simply reload for your next visit!

More about B-TAGs and how to collect them here. 

Ski & Chain hire

There are many stores on and off the mountain offering rental equipment with all the gear and clothing you need for a warm, safe and fun visit.  Rental stores off mountain also rent wheel chains for vehicles coming up the mountain.

Pre-book rental equipment online to streamline your arrival.  The team in store will be ready to fit you out with your desired items. When booking online, there are several rental stores available. Check out this map to see where the stores are located.

A benefit of on-mountain ski hire is the ability to change equipment easily if required.

Most rental stores are located on the mountain, but check the descriptions to make sure you know your pick up location.