A trip to Mt Buller doesn’t have to cost your life savings Flickr/alistercoyne
Skipping work to hit the slopes is one of the most fun and most Australian of past times.
There’s nothing more Aussie than shirking your responsibilities to strap on two fibreglass planks, or one for you boarders, and slide around on some form of water, frozen or otherwise. It’s also one of the most expensive, and if you’re a poor student on the instant Mee Goreng diet, it might seem like a distant pipe dream; something for future you, a less fun but successful you, who probably wouldn’t skip work to go skiing, even if they could afford it. Well, live in the present, because it is entirely possible to pull a cheap snow day, and here’s how you do it.
Don’t stay on the mountain (or don’t stay at all)
If you want to get out for cheap skiing, forget accommodation. Do the day trip. For most accommodation on the mountain, prices start at $70 per person, per night. If you’re poor, you’re better off making the crack-of-dawn, three hour drive to Mt Buller or Stirling or two hours to Lake Mountain.
If you really want to do a weekend stint, or even a week, grab a big group and split a private cottage or farmstay off-mountain. There are plenty of places near Mansfield to get away and do your own apres, less than an hour away from Mt Buller Village. Split a cottage six or eight ways, and you can be paying around $20 per night. Check out AirBnB for the best spots.
Cross Country skiing, like a harder walk in the snow. Image: Flickr/Take it to the Manx
Go cross-country
We all know that cross-country skiing is downhill’s dorky cousin. The one that studies too hard, and rocks that fluoro, one-piece snowsuit without a trace of irony. But that dweeby little cousin is suitably frugal, because when you’re trekking across the hill, there’s no need to fork out for pricey lift passes.
Cross-country mountain entry is much cheaper than entry and lift passes at a downhill resort. Lake Mountain car entry sits between $34-41 if you book online, Mt Stirling at $38. A bargain, when Mt Buller costs the same for entry plus around $110 for lift passes ($88 for tertiary students).
A warning for snow newbies, cross-country skiing is less skiing in the conventional sense and more struggling like a beached whale to slide across flat ice. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Get smart with gear
Flickr/Irene Mei
Unless you own your own gear, which costs a small fortune in itself, you’re going to have to hire some. As with most things, off-mountain is much cheaper. Ski Centre Mansfield offers gear rental packages for $20 less than Buller Sports venues. A few places do Tertiary Tuesday, so flash your student card on Tuesdays and get a day of gear hire for around $30.
If you’re looking to invest in your own gear, there are many places to find cheap goods. American sites like Department of Goods and Golf & Ski Warehouse offer great specials on gear. Scouring ebay can also upturn some great second-hand finds. It’s possible to pick up snowboard and boot sets for under $400 or ski sets for under $550, which means buying gear can be equal to around 20 days of hire. Be wary when buying gear, hidden costs can jump out at you. Prices can skyrocket to more than $1000 if you need boots custom fitted, which bodes best for performance and long-term wear. Bindings need replacing with wear and can cost around $200. Transporting gear on overseas trips can cost extra and become a hassle. It’s worth considering your specific needs before committing to a purchase.
Go mid-week, but not mid-season
Obviously and ironically, the worst time to going skiing is at peak times. If you can hit the slopes during the week, you’ll avoid jacked up weekend accommodation, parking and gear prices. And people, of course. You can also find some cheap deals before and after peak season if you don’t mind skiing with much less snow.
Stay in the know
Follow your favourite mountains as well as Ski.com.au on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates, packages and last-minute specials. If you’re the spontaneous type, getting connected can help you save.
So take a day off during the week. Call in sick, blame it on your ‘dead’ grandmother, leave work behind and chuck a snowie. At least now it won’t cost you five times that day’s pay.
What are your tips for skiing on a budget? Leave a comment below.
