Cafe & MTB operations CLOSED Good Friday & Easter Monday, OPEN on Saturday 30th & Easter Sunday

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Faqs

General

When is the best time to visit? select-arrow

This is always a tricky question as every snow season is different from the last; there is no certain way to know weeks or months in advance what the conditions will be like. When planning your visit, make sure you check the snow reports, weather forecast and Nordic Pulse regularly.  

Nordic Pulse is an app based cross country ski trail grooming report system, bringing trail condition reports to you online. Each day there are reports published, if the trail has been groomed there is snow.  

Click the links below to see what the weather is like at Lake Mountain. 

View live cameras here View Nordic Pulse  

Lake Mountain Alpine Resort | Where is the lake? select-arrow

Funnily enough, there is no Lake at Lake Mountain! The mountain was named after the surveyor George Lake.

Unfortunate for those planning on bringing their boat!

Where is the closest place to stay? select-arrow

Marysville is the closest town to Lake Mountain. Located just a short thirty-minute drive from the top of the mountain, this beautiful little town offers a wide array of accommodation, with options suitable for all situations. 

If you’re after accommodation in Marysville, give Marysville Visitor Information and Regional Arts a call on (03) 5963 4567. 

 

What should I wear to Lake Mountain? select-arrow

A good base layer (such as thermals) is key to keeping warm in the snow. If you don’t have thermals, don’t stress! Just make sure to layer up with warm and comfy clothing. The weather conditions are constantly changing up on the mountain, layering your clothes means it’s easy to add or remove clothing as needed. For even more protection, it’s wise to pack a waterproof layer just in case. 

For more information about what to wear at the snow, read our article on clothing essentials for your first trip to the snow. 

Tip: Avoid dressing kids in gumboots/wellingtons as they do not have any insulation; kids feet will freeze after a short amount of time in the snow. 

If you want to hire clothes, click here to view the rental price list

Can I bring my dog to Lake Mountain? select-arrow

No, pets of any kind are not permitted at the resort as we are a protected Alpine Environment.

What is Lake Mountain opening and closing times in winter? select-arrow

Resort entry gate: 8am- 5pm 
Rental department: 8.30am-4pm (Rentals returned between 3.30pm-4pm) 
Retail shop: 8.30am-4pm  
Bistro: 8.30am-4pm (For hot drinks & pre-packaged food) 9am-3pm (For the kitchen) 
Toboggan runs & magic carpet: 8.30am-4pm  
Visitor Centre: 8am-4pm 

Travel and entry

What time should I arrive? select-arrow

The gate at the base of Lake Mountain opens at 8.30am.

Facilities including ski hire, retail and bistro also open at 8.30am every day over the snow season. We suggest you arrive before 11am to make the most of your day pass and have a full day in the snow.

Lake Mountain Alpine Resort is subject to closure for periods of time during peak periods on weekends throughout the snow season when maximum capacity is reached in the carparks. It is recommended that visitors arrive before 11am to avoid disappointment.

Will I need wheel chains if I am planning to drive to Lake Mountain Alpine Resort? select-arrow

On occasions, due to heavy snow fall, it is necessary to carry and fit snow chains to two-wheel drive vehicles or engage 4×4 or snow conditions on all wheel drive vehicles. Please check your vehicle’s requirements before heading to the snow. If it is a chain declared day, only people with 2WD cars will need to hire chains before driving up the mountain to Lake Mountain. 

Car tyre size is needed for this process. Please head to either Lake Mountain Ski Hire, Mystic Mountain, Cross Country Ski Hire or Marysville Ski Centre to hire chains. No chains are available for hire at the resort. 

To be informed if chains are required, before you leave in the morning check our website homepage for any alerts or our Instagram and Facebook. There are also traffic advisory signs when entering Marysville to look out for. Alpine conditions can change quickly and if necessary, chain days may be called on the day. 

How much do wheel chains cost to hire? And where can I get them from? select-arrow

Chains can be hired from any of the Ski Hires (Lake Mountain Ski Hire, Mystic Mountain, Cross Country Ski Hire or Marysville Ski Centre) before you begin the climb to Lake Mountain. The cost is approximately $30- $60* for the day and you will be shown how to fit the chains when hiring them.

Note: Car tyre size is needed for this process

* Subject to price change. 

For more information on chains, click here 

How much does it cost to enter the mountain during the snow season? (June – October) select-arrow

All visitors accessing the resort during the declared snow season must purchase a resort entry permit. The fees cover cost of resort operations, funding essential services such as Ski Patrol, Snow Clearing, Guest Services and much more. 

Resort entry prices for the 2024 winter season can be viewed here!

We recommend to pre-purchase your tickets online prior, to avoid disappointment. 

 

How long will it take to get to Lake Mountain from Melbourne? select-arrow

By car, we suggest allowing between 2 and 2.5 hours when travelling from Melbourne CBD.

Here’s a link to a few helpful maps and driving directions – View resort maps

Is there public transport to Lake Mountain from Melbourne? select-arrow

Public transport is fairly limited, as Lake Mountain is located past the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

The only public transport option is to catch a train to Lilydale on the Lilydale Line, then catch the McKenzies Bus Service, which runs once or twice daily to Eildon.

You can view the bus timetable here.

Is there a shuttle bus from Marysville to Lake Mountain? select-arrow

There is no shuttle from Marysville to Lake Mountain in the winter season.

 

White season activities

Are there chairlifts at Lake Mountain? select-arrow

Lake Mountain is a Cross Country Ski Resort only, so there are no chairlifts.

Click here, to check current conditions  

What’s a toboggan? select-arrow

Pronounced TO-BOG-GAN,  a long light and narrow plastic-moulded sled (a vehicle that slides over snow) sometimes curved up in front, used for sliding down slopes. It’s a lot of fun! 

At Lake Mountain, we have our main village toboggan run and a couple other toboggan runs depending on snow conditions. For more information on tobogganing, you can read our tobogganing safety tips article here. 

Toboggans are available for hire from our Rental Department for $15 each per day, with moving carpet included.  

 

I don’t have any snow gear, can I hire some? select-arrow

Yes, you can!  

Our on-mountain equipment and clothing hire outlet stocks a large range of sizes in both shell and insulated jackets and pants. As well as snow boots to keep your feet nice and dry. If wanting to xc-ski or undergo a kid snowboard lesson, we also have equipment available for those snow sports. 

To see the rental price list, click here 

The only things you cannot hire are gloves, socks and beanies, due to hygiene regulations. 

Don’t stress though, we have a range of kids through to adults gloves and beanies for sale in our retail outlet up on the mountain. With gloves starting around $20, you’ll be set to tackle the wintery conditions. 

Toboggans are available for hire from our Rental Department for $15 each per day, with moving carpet included. 

 

Will I be able to purchase food once I get there? select-arrow

Yes, our cafe is open 7 days a week from 9am to 3.30pm, serving snacks and drinks.

What’s the difference between cross country skiing and downhill skiing? select-arrow

As there are no lifts at Lake Mountain, skiing here takes a little more effort as you need to propel yourself up and down the ski trails. 

Don’t worry though, the trails aren’t steep like regular downhill ski trails. There are over 30 kilometres of trails winding their way through trees covering Lake Mountain. If you’re new to Cross Country Skiing, at our Snow Sports area next to the rental department, you can book a ski lesson in on the day. Lessons run flexibly according to the demand.  

If wanting to hire gear on mountain for your lesson we encourage you to get your equipment one hour before. Equipment for your lesson includes a full day hire. 

For more information on XC-ski lesson prices, click here 

XC-Ski lessons are subject to weather and snow conditions. To check the current xc-ski conditions, click here 

If it’s your first time, you can read our cross country skiing tips for beginners here. 

 

Booking

Do I have to prebook anything? select-arrow

Winter season only.

Resort Entry tickets are highly encouraged to be pre-purchased prior to your arrival. Some days, the resort may reach maximum carpark capacity, generally on weekends or during the school holiday period. In this circumstance, there will be no additional tickets sold at the gate on the day unless they become available later in the day. 

 

Can I book accommodation at Lake Mountain Alpine Resort? select-arrow

No. There is no on-mountain accommodation available at Lake Mountain, as the facility is for day visitors only in the declared winter season. The closest accommodation is located in Marysville, only 25- 30 minutes away. In winter, the resort gate is locked from 5 pm every night, so visitors have to make their way down the hill to Marysville by 4:30pm for lockout at 5pm. 

 

I’d like to bring a school group up, where do I start? select-arrow

For more information about pricing and packages available for midweek school excursions, click here.

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Conquer the Cascades!