The snowfalls are about to begin on what will be a major dump in the resorts over the next few days. Snowatch will collect images of the snowfalls and post them here as they come in.

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This weekend marks the ‘Official’ opening to season 2019, even though a few resorts are already up and running due to the best early snowfalls since 2000. We take a look at what lifts each resort are planning on running this weekend.

Perisher

Opened last Friday with skiing and boarding on Front Valley. The V8 chair and magic carpet have been running all this week with a terrain park for those who love the jumps. The grooming team have been out preparing more runs for this weekend and we will see skiing and boarding at all of the four resorts that make up Perisher (Perisher, Blue Cow, Guthega and Smiggin Holes). The Terminal and Summit Quad Chairs in Blue Cow as well as the Triple and Double Chairs in Mt Perisher will be spinning with more lifts to be announced shortly. Great news today with the opening of the brand new Leichhardt Chair.

Thredbo

Friday Flat will be opening on Saturday for beginners to have a slide. For the more advanced the Cruiser chair up top will be running accessing the Merritt’s area.

Falls Creek

This weekend will be the BIGGEST opening on record for Falls Creek! 7 lifts will be spinning this weekend:

• Halley’s Comet
• Eagle Express
• Towers
• Drovers
• Gully
• Mousetrap & Pete’s Train

– opening up terrain to suit all abilities and offering the perfect chance to shake off the cobwebs and get your ski or snowboard legs back into action!

Hotham

Hotham will be opening on Friday with the Audi Quattro Chair running from 8.30am. Hopefully after some snow next week and cold nights we can see more area opening very soon.

Mt Buller

The brand spanking new Bourke Street Express chair has been operating since last Friday. This weekend Fox, Skyline, Bourke Street Express, Bourke St carpet and Mercedes-Benz will all be spinning giving skiers and boarders plenty or terrain to explore. Bourke St will also include some small jumps and features.

Mt Baw Baw

Mt Baw Baw has more snow than it probably has had at the start of the season since I can remember, and I’ve been forecasting for over 20 years. There was already a nice base before around 40cm of big fat flakes dropped on Monday. Lifts open for this weekend to be advised.

Selwyn Snow Resort

Selwyn Snow Resort was the first to open last Thursday with the New Chum Chair spinning, and well as snow play and tobogganing.

Charlotte Pass

Charlotte Pass usually opens a couple of weeks after the official opening weekend but this year due to the excellent early snowfalls will be running the Kosi Triple Chair to the top accessing plenty of terrain.

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NEW FOR 2019:

A refreshed toboggan experience

While other Australian ski resorts have banned tobogganing, Mt Baw Baw is fully embracing it. Located in the heart of the Village, Frosti Frog Hollow Toboggan Park is guaranteed to be covered in snow on Opening Weekend (8-9 June) with a dedicated snow machine pumping new dumps on the popular slope daily. Australia’s first downhill ski resort to have a Magic Carpet lift on the toboggan park, the return journey no longer means a strenuous struggle back up the hill. Access to the Magic Carpet and Toboggan Park is $10 per day, or covered by the cost of a lift pass. 

Official Snowball Fights

Tapping into the popular Japanese trend, Mt Baw Baw will become the first alpine resort in Australia to offer organised snowball fights when it launches its National Snowball Fighting Championship this season. Using International Yukigassen Rules, snowfighters are encouraged to enter with a group of friends or family in a bid to take home the trophy. Lessons and snowball fighting sessions will take place throughout the July school holidays and during peak periods, with the Championship scheduled for 14-15 September. 

Free 15 minute snowboarding sessions for kids

Littlies who want to dip a toe in the snow before diving right in can experience a taster snowboarding lesson for free. The ‘Come and Try’ sessions are available for children under six and are designed to let them get a feel for the board before committing to a full three or six hour session. 

BACK FOR 2019:

Meet the Dingoes

Rowdy and Warragul are set to experience their second full winter on the mountain as the star attractions at Mt Baw Baw’s NUTRO™ Dingo Resource Centre. Rowdy (ginger fur) is an alpine/desert dingo cross and Warragul (light fur) is 100% Alpine Dingo. Meet the Dingoes sessions and talks are available throughout the season. The centre also offers the chance to learn about the critically endangered Baw Baw Frog, Leadbeater’s Possum and other local flora and fauna.

Howling Husky experiences

Jump on board a dogsled led by eight huskies for an alpine experience like no other. Ranging in length from 30 minutes to four hours (the longest commercial dog sled trail in Australia), the tours weave through the mountainous terrain, amongst the snow gums and onto open plateaus. Those who prefer to do the hiking themselves can don a pair of snowshoes and harness themselves to a retired husky for a One Hour Day Tour or Two Hour Sunset Tour with Powder Pup Snowshoe Tours.

Free kids club

Kids of all ages are invited to take part in Mt Baw Baw’s free kids club during the July school holidays as parents spread their wings and relax. The dedicated carers will enthrall the kids with a range of activities including arts, crafts, movies and snowball fights.

WEEKEND EVENTS

Winter weekends are packed full of fun at Mt Baw Baw with a stellar event line-up, including: 

• Opening weekend (8-9 June): Free resort entry, guaranteed runs open, live music and entertainment and Gunaikurnai Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony 
• Indigenous Art workshops (15-16 June): with local artist Ronald-Edwards Pepper
• Winter Warmers Week (24-29 June): with comforting food, drinks and activities 
• School Holiday Kids Club and Snow Fighting (1-14 July)
• Christmas in July (19-20 July):complete with a visit from Santa and carols
• Japan Weekend (27-28 July):with Japanese food, snowball fighting “come try” sessions and Japanese Taiko drummers and performers
• Brew Fest(3-4 August): with plenty of beer and Europeans style sausages 
• Toboggan Race (10-11 August):compete to be the Best Tobogganer in Australia
• Bollywood at Baw Baw (17-18 August): with Indian food, dancing and entertainment
• Rail Jam Competition: (TBC August): open to amateurs and pros
• Dog Sled Dash (31 August – 1 September): a race on the cross country tracks 
• Baw Baw Pride(7-8 September): a Pride Ride down the slopes and Drag Performers 
• Snow Fighting Competition (14-15 September): using Yukigassen International Rules
• Big Air Bag Charity Event (20-21 September): with a jump organised by Snowsports

As Australia’s most accessible downhill ski resort, just 2.5 hours from Melbourne, Mt Baw Baw offers affordable fun for snow-goers of all ages and any skill level. With 35 hectares of gentle snow terrain set amongst the snow gums, a dedicated snow factory guaranteeing fresh powder, and plenty of experienced instructors to lend a helping hand, families and first-timers looking to hit the slopes are well catered for. 

In addition to its 25 downhill runs, Mt Baw Baw also provides access to 10 kilometres of groomed cross-country trails, plus more in the National Park – all of which can be accessed for the price of resort entry. The fun continues off the slopes, with plenty of activities on offer to entice even the most inexperienced snow bunny.  Don’t forget to grab your snack from the latest Big W Catalogue.

The post See what’s new at Mt Baw Baw for Season 2019 appeared first on Snowatch.

See Mt Baw Baw’s brilliant huskies in action or join the race this Father’s Day weekend with the mountain’s 4th annual Dog Sled Dash.

Led by a team of eight huskies and a musher, competitors will race through the mountain’s cross-country trails, taking off through the village to tackle a steep climb to the summit.

With the best snow in a decade, Mt Baw Baw slopes are blanketed with trails sure to test the technique, strength and speed of all teams.

Before the race, spectators will get the chance to meet the teams and their band of huskies or for those wanting to get a little closer to the action, Howling Husky tours will be available all weekend.

Mt Baw Baw is located only 150 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD, making it a perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway with family and friends! Find out more information on accommodation, packages and event times at https://mountbawbaw.com.au/

WHAT: Mt Baw Baw Dog Sled Dash
WHEN: Saturday 1 September 9:00am to Sunday 2 September 5:00pm
WHERE: Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort | 32 Currawong Road, Mount Baw Baw, Victoria
WEBSITE: https://mountbawbaw.com.au/dog-sled-dash

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