I skied Mt Buller in early September 2025 after many, many years absence. Afterward, I posted a 20-pic summary on Insta and wrote, "No lift lines, sunshine, a dusting of fresh, nice groomers, lots of bumps, cruddy bumps and real cruddy bumps. A pleasant outing in a place that, like most Australian ski resorts, doesn't make it easy for day-trippers but still they come..." That's a pretty fair summation but doesn't tell the whole story.

There are a few good reasons I skied Mt Buller after having avoided it for so long. The first was I had just bought an Ikon Pass, so could get a Buller lift pass for nothing (well obviously not for nothing having paid a squillion dollars on an Ikon Pass, but you know what I mean!). The second was that all lifts were running, including the legendary Federation chair, which from my point of view was nothing short of a miracle. The third was that snow was in the forecast and most terrain was open. The fourth was I had the time & motivation, two things that can test you at Buller.

For a day-trip, heading up to Buller must be a challenge for the average visitor. Buying a resort entry pass that needs to be printed on an A4 sheet is a costly & ridiculous first step, but necessary to avoid delays at the resort entry gatehouse. Despite having the printed resort entry pass, I was still stopped BEFORE the gate by someone in a high-viz jacket wanting to know whether I had a pass or not ....... aaaargh!!! I was then stopped a further four times by 'officials' before finally parking my car. WTF? Thankfully it was early on a quiet Friday morning, because I cannot imagine how it would work on a busy weekend.

Strolled down to the ticket box at the Northside chairlift terminal, flashed my Ikon Pass receipt & ID, and got my Buller Pass with zero fuss. Was then bemused to learn that one doesn't put skis on when riding this chair. Skis are loaded separately on the chair in front, and you go up as a pedestrian. Again .... WTF? Certainly not the way I remember it working but times change. Appears a lot of people head up on the shuttle bus from the day car park, rather than riding up on the chair.

Ski day started well with the crew on Shakey Knees quad chair letting me on 10 minutes before opening (note - this was a surface tow last time I came here!!). I then crunched my way down Cow Camp to get first ride up the Tirol T-bar. Despite a waft of fresh snow, the conditions down low were challenging. Should have waited for the sun to do its work! Oh well.

From the top of Tirol I did a full lap of the mountain with a few repeats & variations here and there. Nice soft turns on the top half of Grimus were quickly forgotten after the cruddy bumps on the lower half. Off-piste from the true summit and the just out of bounds Chute 1 was fun, with the smear of fresh just making the snow forgiving enough to avoid death. The snow between Summit chair & Fanny's Finish was the pick of the day, with fresh, windblown powder turns available nearly all the way down to Howqua chair. Powder Keg into Wombat quad chair was more keg than powder, but I knew by then what to expect for the day (and it is a favourite from the old days). The lower half of Federation was a horror show for most, but the locals appeared to think it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. Good for them. Snow cover in Bull Run bowl were better, but cruddy bumps still ruled the day, and I probably didn't have the most appropriate skis on for the conditions. But we are Powderhounds, not Cruddybumphounds, so fatter skis it is!

For on-piste, I humped it down Little Buller Spur, Wombat, Men’s Downhill & Standard amongst others. They were in great condition but lack the joyous rolling feeling of the great intermediate piste runs. Almost too sanitised, and dare I say it, boring. The lack of any real advanced groomed runs here is strange and disappointing.

With the sun out though, it was still a great day and I'm lucky to have experienced it. Worth mentioning too is that the stroll up to the true summit from the top of either Grimus or Summit chairs is fantastic, and even if one doesn't ski off it, should be done by all visitors to the mountain. Has a true alpine feel and incredible views.

Despite its reputation, there were zero lift lines on this day. Having the full complement of 13 chairlifts running certainly helps, but the time of year was a major factor too. To see all the lifts spinning was a rare treat on a ski hill that often receives only half the snowfall of the other major Victorian ski resorts.

Eating wise, I paid an acceptable price for a delicious, mid-morning 'cherry ripe' muffin and coffee at Koflers and then got extorted with a simple focaccia at Cattleman's (service was great though). Having only just escaped with both arms & legs, I was consoled by the kindness of a family that offered me a piece of the best birthday cake imaginable (Creamy mango sponge - yum). They were up for the day to experience the snow for the first time and were absolutely loving it at Buller. Of course they'd brought their own food, so avoided some 'sticker shock'!

One powder paws scoring criteria on reviews is 'Child Friendly'. It can be a little subjective, but so can everything right? However the amount of hassle to just get up & around on the mountain just screams 'day-tripper nightmare', and with kids in tow, no thanks. If staying overnight, perhaps its more tolerable.

Whilst skiing at Mt Buller is a long way from my favourite ski experience, it is also a long way from my least favourite! I have a mate that won’t even eat 'Bulla' branded yoghurt & ice cream because he has had so many questionable trips here. However, by all means ski here if you can afford the cost & hassle, but do it as a flexible, last-minute decision when the snow is good, lots of lifts & terrain are open, AND MOST INPORTANTLY on a quiet weekday away from school holidays & peak August weeks. Combine all those unicorns with a good crew of riders and you may just have a whole lot of fun at this often-maligned mountain. In fact I may return next season with a suitable cohort and stay a few nights on the hill .... shock-horror!
See our video here

We entered the park around midday, reaching the gear rental at ski school at around 12:30ish and bought tickets for lift and gear rental. We were charged full day pass price. After getting fitted it was already 1 and the arvo pass kicked in which was around 50 bucks cheaper. Bit of a rort as could have been mentioned that there was only 1/2 hour till get cheaper price but no, got to take as much as can. Buyer beware of this. IF arrive after 12 wait for an hour to save.

Apart from that it was ok.
See our video here

Overpriced tickets and on snow transport, better off to go to one of the other resorts in Vic/NSW. This company has a monopoly, and it’s all about charging maximum dollar Better skiing and value if you go to Japan or NZ to ski.
See our video here

Rude staff. Too expensive.
See our video here

Mt Buller leaves a lot to be desired. At its best Buller is a great mountain but that's when everything is open and that almost never happens. Snow At Buller is never great and there is never a lot of it. often you find yourself skiing on sheets of ice as well. the piste trails could be amazing but never have the snow to reach there full potential. If you a beginner it is great though. Burk street is a great place to learn to ski. if your anything higher go to Hotham if you want a trip in victoria.
See our video here

Why do you even promote the snow guarantee on the Mount Buller website, when you don't honour the guarantee?

I just went to the lift ticket office to ask if they honour the guarantee as only Bourke street and skyline lifts are open. And they said snow guarantee does not apply because of severe weather. Which is absolutely rubbish, because I'm here right now going down the only runs Bourke street and skyline. There is absolutely no wind at all today. Rain was forecast, but I've been out there and it isn't even raining. It's mostly dry with a few light showers.

They also said they would not honour mine anyway as I have been down Bourke street too many times. Well of course I've been down it I'm trying to make the most of the my trip here and the only runs open. After travelling here, paying for accommodation and transport and lift tickets.


You are just using the severe weather warning as an excuse to not honour the snow guarantee.

I phoned up Monday 28th Aug to ask if lifts and runs would be open. And I was told they would be open. But if they are not open then the snow guarantee would cover me.

Tuesday 29th Aug was the first day if my stay at Mount Buller and they had summit and family run open which I went on. But they had hardly any snow cover. I'm not surprised they are closed today because I could see with my own eyes there is not enough snow. I can also see on the snowcams that there is not enough snow.

Tomorrow (31st August) will be the last day of my trip, so I'll wait and see if they open any runs tomorrow. But probably not because there is no snow.

If you don't want to honour the snow guarantee I think you shouldn't have the guarantee in the first place.

All I'm asking is a refund on the lift tickets or lift tickets for a trip to Mount Buller next year
See our video here

Absolutely disappointing. Paid $63 for access to a place with barely any snow in it, mostly mud. Overproduced skilift rides without even an announcement for the last ride. A natural place shouldn't be charged at all, this is an example on how nature has been turned into an overpriced business. Next thing they are going to charge us is going to be a nice sunny day with a fresh breeze.
Endless lines waiting for busses to take you back to the parking lots. Roads with no protections in case you fall off a cliff. Busses are stinky and with small sits. Any ski rental is overpriced.
Food is low quality and overpriced.
I recommend everyone to go to Mount Baw Baw.
See our video here

VERY busy on weekends but midweek it is really uncrowded but does have variable snow. When snow is good it has terrific off-piste/advanced terrain, some of it deadly! I agree that fog, crowds and variable snow are issues but when it is "on", it's as good as just about anywhere for terrain.
Also, it is about the only resort in the world that allows 70+ to ski for free👍!
See our video here

Most of the time, the snow's pretty crap, etc, I get it. BUT... if you come in late July/early - mid-August for a midweek trip or get out early, you can get fresh powder. You'd better hope storms come in overnight because if they come during the day, r**n. Visibility varies but on a good day, IT'S A GOOD DAY. Additionally, don't bother with spring skiing. Save money and go to Thredbo or Perisher. I love it tho, blacks and blues are unmatched in VIC. great lifts, enough for little queues.
See our video here

Spent the weekend at Mt buller with grandson. Very difficult for beginners to access and then overcrowded and dangerous with too much going on in beginners area and too many lessons at the one time. I had a significant injury when run into by a beginner which wouldn't have happened with better space and organisation. Very risky environment
See our video here