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The Do It Yourself Snow Camp

(Mount Baw Baw ski trip for people with vision impairments and their family)

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Have you thought about taking up snow skiing? Members of the RVIB Ski Club would like to encourage people with vision impairments to develop an interest in snow skiing, to become members of the RVIB Ski Club and to come with their families and friends to the RVIB Ski Lodge on Mount Baw Baw.

So we thought we'd try to make the planning and organisation side of things easier for you all by compiling a list of costs. We have done our best to ensure that this information is accurate - but note that prices may vary from those quoted below.

But First - What to do at Mount Baw Baw

Mount Baw Baw is 130 km (approximately 2½ to 3 hours) from Melbourne and 1,564 metres above sea level. There are over 30 hectares of skiing terrain, with areas suitable for downhill skiing and snow boarding. There are seven ski lifts (platters and t-bars). For cross country enthusiasts, there are 10km of sheltered, well-marked, groomed trails with access, for experienced skiers, to the Mount Baw Baw Plateau. You can also go snow shoeing or snow skating and there are two snow play areas. There is a snow school, a hotel, two cafes and a little shop.

Bookings for RVIB Ski Lodge at Mount Baw Baw (members and first time VI users)

Prices below are given for adult members/non-members during peak season (1 June to 1 October). Non peak rates are $10/$20 per night.

For bookings email Sophie Kerr: sophissimo@bigpond.com or bookings@rvibski.com.au or 0418 376954.
For more information on the RVIB Ski Lodge, go to: www.rvibski.com.au or www.blindsports.org.au/ski.htm

Mount Baw Baw Contact

Mount Baw Baw Alpine Resort Management Board
Phone: (03) 5165 1136
Email: info@mountbawbaw.com.au
Website: www.mountbawbaw.com.au/

The Management Board has information about the Mount Baw Baw area and has regular updates of depth of snow on the various runs as winter progresses. Discounted resort entry and group rates for lift tickets or lessons may be available. For beginners, you may find the lift tickets unnecessary.

Getting There

Melways reference: 426 C9

If driving, take the South Eastern Freeway, turn off at Dandenong to Warragul/Drouin and continue on Princess Highway approximately 55km. Take turn-off to Drouin and Mount Baw Baw. Follow the C326 signs. Turn left and the road goes back on itself for about 500m. Turn right by Hotel/Motel. Continue to Neerim South, Noojee and Mount Baw Baw. The road is now sealed all the way. At Neerim South there is a Hot Bread Bakery and further on a cheese factory, winery and trout farm.

The RVIB Ski Lodge is diagonally opposite Mount Baw Baw Ski Hire. There is a small A frame building close to the road and the Lodge is a short walk down the hill.

Park in the Day Car Park at the top of the mountain and shuttle your belongings into the ski lodge (which is only a short walk from the car park) using the lodge's sled; or transport your luggage to the lodge by over snow transport ($25 per trailer load). The Day Car Park is available for day visitors only. Overnight guests may unload in the area adjacent to the village gate and then park in Car Parks 2, 3, 4 or 5. Leave car in gear with the handbrake off and raise your windscreen wipers to avoid freezing them onto the windscreen. If you are driving a minibus, park in the bus car park.

A note about the roads: Although paved to the top, the Mount Baw Baw access road after the entry gate is very steep, and becomes icy because of its southerly aspect. It is a VicRoads Declared Hazardous Road beyond Tanjil Bren. Wheel chains must be carried, and in snow conditions must be fitted to drive wheels for ascending and front wheels for descending. Some low profile tyres on modern cars cannot be fitted with chains. Also if parked overnight, cars can suffer freezing problems affecting door locks, hand brakes, cooling systems and rubber engine timing belts.

If you are driving yourself, consider:

Alternatively, catch a train to Warragul Station and then catch a charter bus to Mount Baw Baw:

Equipment

In addition to the camp costs, you may need to hire ski clothes and equipment.

Mount Baw Baw Ski Hire (this shop is on the mountain, opposite the RVIB Ski Lodge)
Email: reiter@bawbawskihire.com.au
Phone: (03) 5165 1120
Website: www.bawbawskihire.com.au/hireprices.htm

Franz runs the shop, and is well known to members of the RVIB Ski Club. A group discount may apply if you go into the shop on arrival on the mountain and collect an order sheet. Return with the completed order sheet including names, what you need and sizes, then pay together.

Some prices are listed below, but the full list is on the website:

What to take to the RVIB Ski Lodge

What is provided by the club

(Note: ski equipment left at the club is not for your use)

Note: You must clean before you leave.

Rooms are as follows

We hope that you are able to take Allan and the RVIB Ski Club up on this generous offer. By way of comparison, the costs for a family of 5 to stay on Mount Buller is over $500 per night! Travel up mid week or at the weekend as a family or get together with a few families and book out the whole lodge.

Additional Information

For further information, please contact

Sophie Kerr: sophissimo@bigpond.com or bookings@rvibski.com.au or 0418 37695
For more information on the RVIB Ski Lodge, go to: www.rvibski.com.au or www.blindsports.org.au/ski.htm

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