Mt Baw Baw is where beginners learn to ski, but users fear for its future

ABC24-03-2026

Mt Baw Baw is where beginners learn to ski, but users fear for its future

ABC Gippsland

Topic:Snow Boarding

Snowboarders at Mt Baw Baw in Victoria. (Supplied: Mount Baw Baw resort)

In short:

Families, businesses and skiing clubs fear Gippsland's Mt Baw Baw isn't being funded or taken care of by the Victorian government, calling for greater investment in the alpine resort.

The mountain supports small-town economies and is often the first place young winter athletes are exposed to snow in Victoria.

What's next?

The Victorian government says it is working to make alpine resorts affordable but has declined to comment on the outcome of a long-term lease process for Mt Baw Baw.

Tom Bauer can remember the first time he took his family to Mt Baw Baw at the heel of Victoria's Alpine National Park, more than 25 years ago.

The Geelong father's young kids found it a welcoming environment and less intimidating than the larger resorts.

"The mountain is a beautiful natural environment as well, so even in summer we tend to go there for a few visits, just to enjoy the environment,” he said.

The family were casual visitors to the mountain before joining the Skali Ski Club, where Mr Bauer is now president.

The resort sits at 1,500 metres above sea level and is a haven for beginners at the snow. (Supplied: Mt Baw Baw Stakeholders Association )

Since his first visit in the early 2000s, Mr Bauer, who is also the Mt Baw Baw Stakeholders Association chairperson, has seen a scaling back of resources on the mountain.

Only seven accommodation sites are available for visitors for the 2026 season.

There are fewer than 10 full-time staff, and summer resources such as mountain bike hire for the resort’s existing downhill tracks do not exist.

The Victorian government took over management of the alpine resort in 2022, under the governing body Alpine Resorts Victoria (ARV).

Mt Baw Baw was managed by a private operator prior to the merger.

Since then, lodge operators, businesses, and passionate winter athletes fear that something special is at risk: an affordable, accessible snowfield for first-time skiers, families and children to test the powder for the first time.

And with a fledgling all-abilities team recently given the green light to set up a disabled winter sports group at the village, many are asking the government to step up and protect it.

'A terrible loss'

At 1,500 metres elevation, Gippsland's modest mountain may not be as statuesque as other alpine resorts.

But about a quarter of all Victorians who ski or snowboard had their first exposure to snow at Mt Baw Baw and Lake Mountain, according to ARV.

Matt Youd and his family manage Erica Ski Hire, at the foothills of the mountain.

His 18-year-old son got his start there and has since competed at elite inter-schools competitions.

He said the mountain's appeal lay in its heritage as a first stop for fledgling winter athletes.

The main street of Erica, an alpine township in the Baw Baw shire. (ABC News: Madeleine Stuchbery )

Many of his customers are first-time visitors from Melbourne’s south-east suburbs.

“We’ve been involved for about 35 years. We’ve seen families bring up their families, and now they’re bringing their children because it’s such a great way to experience snow,” he said.

“It would be a terrible loss if it changed operations.”

ARV sought expressions of interest to take a long-term lease for both Mt Baw Baw resort and neighbouring Lake Mountain throughout 2024.

The results of the tender remain unknown and the Victorian government did not say when details would be revealed.

Without clarification, Mr Youd said he was hamstrung as to whether he should continue his business or just walk away.

“I know we get some assurances that they’re not closing down the resort. But they haven’t said what capacity it would stay open," he said.

"I’m sitting on about $50,000 worth of investment, which I just don’t know whether I need.”

Erica's businesses aren't the only ones in need of assurance moving forward.

Team Baw Baw Alpine Sports Club successfully applied for state government funding to establish an adaptive sports program on the mountain.

Supporting people with disabilities and intellectual impairments to take part in adaptive alpine lessons through the Mt Baw Baw Ski School, club president Renee Little said the grant would create an opportunity to expand participation in inclusive winter sports.

An all-abilities winter sports group has been provided state government funding at Mt Baw Baw. (Supplied: Multiclass Sports Association)

“As the parent of two children with intellectual impairments, I’ve seen firsthand how important Mt Baw Baw has been in helping them learn to ski in a supportive environment,” Mrs Little said.

“Mt Baw Baw plays an important role as a feeder resort and first snow experience for many Victorian families, and it has enormous potential to support more inclusive alpine recreation.”

Industry decline

Victoria's alpine industry is worth billions to the state economy: 1.38 million people visited in 2024, with an economic output valued at $2.14 billion.

But an ARV spokesperson said all resorts operated in deficit following COVID and Mt Baw Baw's deficit predates the pandemic.

"Under ARV management, the Mt Baw Baw deficit has been reduced by 30 per cent from its historic highs through both increasing revenue opportunities and decreasing operational costs," the spokesperson said.

"Despite this, the resort continues to operate in deficit, which is why ARV took the resort to market via an EOI process."

The ARV 2024 annual report shows visitor income across the alpine resorts was worth more than $25 million, resulting in a $14.68 million operating surplus compared to an operating surplus in 2023 of $13.88 million, with a visitor income of $26.23 million.

The state government issued support payments to all alpine resorts during the pandemic, and grants of up to $25,000 were available via the $10.3 million Alpine Resorts Support Program.

A further $5 million establishment fund was set up for the ARV management body.

When a potential way forward is identified, ARV will engage with resort staff and stakeholders.

A Victorian government spokesperson said the government was working with ARV to make alpine resorts affordable "while ensuring ARV is sustainable".

"We created ARV to reduce duplication and focus on delivering high-quality services on our mountains," the spokesperson said.

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