If you are thinking of taking the family to the snow in Victoria, Lake Mountain is the perfect place as a first experience of the snow for young kids. Read through these tried and tested Frugal Tips and FAQ for visiting Lake Mountain Alpine Resort with kids in 2024 snow season that will save you time, money, and STRESS! All that will be left to do is to HAVE FUN!
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Where is Lake Mountain
Located in the Yarra Ranges, at just 2 hours from Melbourne, Lake Mountain is the closest place to the city where you can get to the snow. Its perfect for a weekend away this winter!
Getting to Lake Mountain
You can get there on the Maroondah Highway and via Healesville and Marysville, through the lush green forest of the Black Spur. The best way to get there is by self driving, no shuttle is available this year to reach the mountain from Marysville.
Where to stay in Lake Mountain Alpine Resort with Kids
There are plenty of places to stay near Lake Mountain for a fantastic snow getaway with the family.
Marysville is the perfect place to stay when visiting Lake Mountain and that is 30 minutes drive to the entry for Lake Mountain. Peppers Marysville is a popular accommodation resort located right in the centre of Marysville, this beautiful resort has rooms that can cater for families with 2 double beds or a double bed with a sofa bed.
Healesville is also another popular destination to stay when going to Lake Mountain and is 1 hour away.
Check Prices and Availability for Peppers Marysville HERE
Top Frugal Tips when visiting Lake Mountain Alpine Resort with Kids in 2024
Save time and Pre-Book Resort entry
Entry to the resort is set for the 2024 season at 64 AUD per car. You need to pay this just to enter the mountain, even if you do not want to use the toboggans or cross country ski. The entry fee can be paid at the gate when you arrive at the mountain.
You can pre-book online to save time! The process to book online is easy and you can do it in the morning before you drive up, just don’t forget to check the Live Cam first on the website to check snow / access conditions!
Get there early to get a car spot close to the slopes
The resort and facilities at Lake Mountain open at 8am so ideally you want to get there as early as you can (by 8.30-9am). Not only the snow conditions are generally better first thing in the morning but you also want to get a car park ideally as close as the toboggan runs as possible.
You will be bound to be going back and forward to the car for food, drinks etc..so having the car close by rather than a long walk away will be super handy. On the weekends – by about 10 am (and sometimes earlier) both the upper car parks are full!
In that case you would need to park the car further along the road, and sometimes even on the secondary car park that is even further down.
Pack your lunch and take lots of snacks
Playing in the snow is tiring and makes kids HUNGRY! Take lots of snacks and food for your day at the snow. If you have a Thermos / Insulated Flask to take some hot water to make hot chocolate, tea/coffee for the grown ups it will go down a treat to warm you up.
There is one café onsite but it does get extremely busy during lunchtime with wait times of sometimes an hour especially on the weekends. Having things with you will save you lots of time and money for your day to the snow!
Bring some beach toys and things to build a snowman
Pack some playing tools like shovels/diggers to play in the snow. It’s a great way to keep the kids busy if they need a break from the toboggans or for younger ones.
And don’t forget CARROTS to build a snowman too of course!
Buy or hire your snow gear in advance
Lake Mountain gets cold. The average temperature during the winter months of June, July and August are between 4 and -1 degrees! Jeans, runners, tracksuit pants or gumboots just won’t do the job in keeping you warm and dry. There isn’t really any seating on the top of the mountain in the play area too! Kids, especially will need that extra layer of clothing to be comfortable on the day.
I prefer to buy my gear rather than hiring it – as the cost for the kids clothing is not much more than hiring and I can keep it for the following year!
You might already have some winter clothing items to wear from home without needing to buy / hire them. If you have a thick winter or puffer jacket, preferably waterproof already at home, that will be suitable for the snow (provided there is not too much rain on the day).
Beanies, thick jumpers, scarves and long socks will be needed to for the snow too.
Essential snow gear required
If you are just planning to do some tobogganing on Lake Mountain, and want to buy your gear to keep, the essential gear that you will need to buy is this (this goes for adults and kids):
- Snow boots: Gumboots just won’t do the job in keeping little feet warm and dry as snow can easily get in!
- Snow pants: These are worn over pants and are waterproof, as well as being lined and tied at the bottom to keep the snow out and keep you dry
- Snow gloves: To keep hands dry and warm. TIP: Younger children might prefer snow mittens, as they are easier to wear than snow gloves
- Plastic Toboggans: 1 adult and 1 small child (under 5) can ride on one toboggan so you would usually have 2 for a 2 adult & 2 small kids family to all ride together. Our older son wanted to go on his own, so we found 2 were sufficient anyway with me and my husband taking turns in taking the kids.
Make sure to also pack a spare change of clothes and socks for the car ride home or to your accommodation so that everyone is warm and dry!
Hiring gear from Lake Mountain
You can also HIRE your snow gear in Lake Mountain. Note though there is only 1 hire shop on the mountain and it can be quite busy during weekends and peak period.
Price wise, you are looking at around 55 AUD for a package to hire a child snowsuit, toboggan and boots. The cost for an adult to hire a snow jacket, pants, toboggan and boots is around 75 AUD. If you are staying in Marysville, you could also hire all your snow gear in Marysville in advance to save time!
Also note that in Lake Mountain you cannot hire snow gloves. You would need to purchase these onsite at the retail shop! Or buy those in advance at your local outdoor shop instead!
FAQ
When is the Snow Season at Lake Mountain Alpine resort?
The official 2024 snow season at Lake Mountain Alpine Resort begins on 8th June and ends of the 6th of October 2024. Lake Mountain Alpine Resorts operates Thursday to Mondays, from 8 to 4pm. During Victorian school holidays the Resort is opened every day.
Make sure to ALWAYS check on the Lake Mountain Alpine Resort Website for live updates on opening days and weather conditions before travelling to the mountain!
What kids age group is Lake Mountain Alpine Resort best suited for?
Lake Mountain is perfect for a first family trip to the snow for a day so suitable for kids as young as toddlers. The resort area is small, easy to get around and the snow is easily accessible from the carpark.
What snow activities are available at Lake Mountain Alpine Resort?
The resort caters for tobogganing, cross country skiing and snow play. There are 3 toboggan runs at the resort. From this 2024 season, if you wish to use the toboggan runs, 2 of these are ticketed.
Village Toboggan Run and Mini Toboggan Run are included with the Toboggan Park Access (20 AUD per person, free for under 5s). The Magic Carpet (the conveyor belt that takes you back up the hill) is also included in this price. These 2 toboggan runs are topped up with artificial snow throughout the season if there is not sufficient snow.
NOTE: Don’t forget that Toboggan hire is separate from the Toboggan Park Access. For each person that has a Toboggan Park Access over 5 years old – they must have their own toboggan to ride too. Under 5s can ride with an adult on their toboggan.
One of the Toboggan Runs is accessible without the Park Access, the Koala Creek Toboggan Run. Note this run is only open if there is natural snow.
If you don’t want to go on the toboggan runs, there are still many viewing areas and plenty of play snow areas for younger children!
There are no skiing on snowboarding facilities in Lake Mountain. No ski lessons this 2024 season.
How much does it cost for a family to go to Lake Mountain for a day trip?
If you are travelling for a day trip to the snow, account for:
- Resort Entry per car 64 AUD
- Toboggan Park Access 20 AUD per person (free for under 5 yrs)
- Lunch costs / snacks
- Hire of snow gear / toboggans, Around 55 AUD per child and 75 AUD per adult
Can you stay overnight in Lake Mountain?
No, there are no hotels on the mountain itself and camping is prohibited. The closest towns to stay are Marysville (30 minutes away), Narbethong (35 minutes drive) or Healesville (1 hour away). You can read more about it in the Where to Stay Near Lake Mountain section. You can also browse on Expedia on the link below!
Check Prices and Availability here on Expedia for accommodation near Lake Mountain Alpine Resort
What weather is best for the snow at Lake Mountain Resort?
A sunny, clear day is best when going to the snow! Any rain or snow makes the day cold and wet, especially for little ones. Always check snow conditions on the Lake Mountain Alpine Resort Website before travelling. The website has a live snow camera where you can get live footage of the snow conditions too!
Do I need to carry snow chains at Lake Mountain Alpine Resort?
On snow days, you may be required to have snow chains to carry in your car. Check ahead of your visit on the Lake Mountain Alpine Resort website for weather conditions. Always check if you are required to carry or fit snow chains on your car before travelling to the mountain. More information on Chain days HERE. Wheel chains are available for hire in Marysville.
Want to read more?
Thank you for reading this post on Lake Mountain Alpine Resort with Kids in 2024. You can read more about Things to do in Healesville in my other post here.
