Mt Stirling Alpine Resort is the Cheapest Way to Ski Powder in Victoria

Have you always dreamt of venturing into the snowy backcountry, chasing glorious, untouched powder laps, but the thought of driving 5–6 hours into unpatrolled terrain feels a bit much? Mt Stirling Alpine Resort is the answer you’ve been looking for.

We Are Explorers acknowledges that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Taungurung people who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

Quick Overview

Mt Stirling Alpine Resort is a wilderness-style resort three hours from Melbourne unlike anywhere else in Victoria. There are no lifts or queues on this mountain (or lift passes required), but there is an on-mountain ski patrol presence and free alpine snow camping. It’s best for beginner-intermediate snow tourers seeking off-piste adventures.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

About Mt Stirling Alpine Resort

Mt Stirling is a rare slice of the great Australian Alps, where High Country beauty meets the true essence of ski touring. No $200 daily lift passes here, just a single resort entry fee and endless terrain. It’s a fantastic spot for inexpensive, winter weekend getaways for the whole family, with snowfields for tobogganing and snowshoeing, to adrenaline-filled backcountry laps for the more daring.

Outside of winter, mountain biking, horse riding, 4WDing, and outdoor education are offered by commercial operators, so there’s never a dull moment on this mountain.

Mt Stirling History

Mt Stirling lies within the traditional lands of the Taungurung people. The ‘Yowung-Illum Balluk‘ or ‘stone-dwelling people’ were one of several Taungurung clans living across the region, utilising the High Country’s rich and diverse resources, while sharing language, trade, and ceremonial ties with neighbouring Kulin groups. Their connection to the land continues to this day.

Post-contact mountain uses have included alpine grazing of cattle, and extensive timber harvesting of the highly productive and resilient alpine ash forests. During these times, an old red phone box existed at the junction, allowing essential communication to and from the Mirambah Sawmill until the 1960s. Its legacy gives rise to ‘Telephone Box Junction’, the name of Mt Stirling’s central hub which houses ski patrol, ski and toboggan hire, and even a fine bistro.

In 1997 Mt Stirling was declared an all-season, nature-based tourist destination, shaping it into the natural wonderland we know it as today.

How to Get to Mt Stirling Alpine Resort

By Car

Mt Stirling is located 35km south of Mansfield in north-eastern Victoria, 230km from the Melbourne CBD. From Melbourne, travel north through Whittlesea, Flowerdale, and Yea. Continue along the Goulburn Valley Highway through Mansfield until you reach Mount Stirling Road.

During the winter months certain vehicles may need to carry chains at all times and a winter resort entry fee of $67 per vehicle needs to be paid to enter the Mt Stirling/Mt Buller alpine region.

By Bus

From Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station, you can catch a coach to Mansfield. From here numerous private charters operate buses up Mt Buller to where a Mt Stirling shuttle operates every Tuesday and Thursday.

This isn’t a daily service and requires planning. The shuttle departs at 9.30am from Mt Buller and begins the return at 3pm from Telephone Box Junction. Seats are limited so you’ll need to book in advance! Expect to pay around $35 return per person.

Where to Stay Near Mt Stirling Alpine Resort

There are various accommodation options near Mt Stirling, ranging from rugged snow camping, to cosy lodges up in Mt Buller.

My personal favourite is Carters Mill Campground. A 20-minute drive from Telephone Box Junction, this free campground has bathrooms, fire pits, and is surrounded by beautiful forest. It’s the perfect option for those seeking an off-grid camping experience, but who don’t necessarily have the specialised gear for snow camping.

Another exciting option for hardened campers is snow camping next to Bluff Spur Hut. Found via a leisurely 90-minute ski tour up from Telephone Box Junction, this beautiful sheltered camp spot parks you only 15 minutes from the summit! This is a great beginner-friendly introduction to snow camping while still not being far off the beaten track.

Read more: Snow Camping – A Beginner’s Guide

Not only do you get the surreal experience of waking up surrounded by snow, but you’re also able to get first tracks at the crack of dawn. Make sure you have the correct equipment, including a four season tent and a sleeping mat with a good R value!

For those who prefer four walls and a bed, there are many accommodation options in Mansfield or Mt Buller with toasty heaters and hot showers. However these will be more expensive and you’ll likely need to book in advance.

Where to Eat in Mt Stirling Alpine Resort

While I personally recommend cooking your own instant mi goreng on a portable stove,  I understand other people have more refined taste buds than me. But a hot meal in the snow is something you should try at least once.

Fortunately, there’s a wonderful cafe at Telephone Box Junction open during business hours, which offers hot drinks, sandwiches, toasties, sausage rolls, and even some lovely glühwein (mulled wine!).

But unlike Mt Buller, Mt Stirling isn’t heavily commercialised with eateries which helps preserve its charm. So I advise bringing plenty of your own food, as you’ll be burning many calories without a restaurant in sight.

Also remember to leave no trace and take all food wrappers and rubbish out with you.

Essential Gear for Mt Stirling Alpine Resort

Depending on your desired adventures on Mt Stirling, there are many essential items you must bring.

Clothing:

• 2x pairs of thermals
• Beanie
• Gloves
• Snow pants/jacket
• Avoid cotton (death fabric)

Safety:

• Sunscreen (snow burn isn’t a joke)
• Sunglasses
• At least 2L water carrying capacity
• Food
• Lightweight carry bag
• EPIRB/PLB or a satellite messenger (there’s no reception in some areas)
• Offline maps (GAIA / AllTrails / Maps.me)
• First aid kit

Read more: Navigating With a Map & Compass

Ski-specific:

• Ski poles, boots, and skis/split board
• Skins for your skis/split board
• Emergency tools to tighten bindings
• Helmet (if skiing)

Camping:

• Sleeping bag with winter rating
• Sleeping mat with high R value
• Four season tent

Read more: Essential Gear For A Snow Camping Trip

What it’s Like to Visit Mt Stirling Alpine Resort

Summit bound on our first Mt Stirling adventure, I was with a group of seven friends, bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and with varying levels of experience. We were greeted with clear bluebird skies and the fresh snow glistening in the sun.

As we ventured through the towering alpine ash forest, we were transported into a spectacular new biosphere, and in between the colourful calls of the lyre birds, we heard the thud of a friend losing their balance followed by laughs.

Unfortunately for some, learning to tour on skis was like learning to walk again. However, the early tracks at Mt Stirling were highly forgiving, with gentle elevation gain and absolutely no crowds to dodge.

Once we began to find our feet, we were able to witness the beautiful transition from alpine ash forest to snow gum woodlands until we finally reached Bluff Spur Hut. We caught our first glimpse of the summit, and said g’day to the snow campers perched on their self-made icy dining furniture.

After an invigorating cup of hot laksa (made with my trusty Jetboil), and many tuna hommus wraps, we began the final ascent. As we soared above the treeline, past the iconic, resilient Summit Tree, the summit itself boasted 360º panoramic views of the greater alpine ranges, even showcasing Mt Buller’s ‘Bourke St’ ski field, filled with 200+ people. Boy, we didn’t envy them.

From the summit, the mountain was ours. We removed our ski skins at the top of Dug Out Bowl, an exciting blue run, and whooshed turn after turn in the dreamy untouched powder. The snow was so soft it was like nothing we’d experienced at the other Victorian alpine resorts.

A few of the more daring, ascended to the top of Stanley Bowl, a more intimidating but tempting run, which offered a vertical drop off a shelf of snow down a steep valley allowing you to get some fast turns down the bowl. We even discovered you could ride all the way down to East Summit Trail and skin back up to Bluff Spur Hut.

Lap after lap, we began to lose track of time, until the sun started to set behind the mountains, and the snow began to ice up – our cue to head back. Going downhill was significantly easier (and more fun), as we whizzed down the track which challenged many of us earlier in the day. I felt a collective sense of achievement after a noticeable improvement of everyone’s skills throughout the day.

After a toastie and hot chocolate at the Bistro of Telephone Box Junction, our hunger for more backcountry laps wasn’t satisfied, and we made many more trips to Mt Stirling that winter. It was truly the place to be and our bank accounts thanked us for it!

Mt Stirling is a place close to many avid backcountry skiers’ hearts for its beauty, accessibility, and simplicity. Unfortunately, the mountain has been operating on a financial deficit for many years due to declining numbers of visitors, with talks of reducing running costs by cutting guest-facing and operational services. However, by frequenting this mountain, we can sustain funding for the ski patrol presence so they may continue to provide the welcoming atmosphere that defines the mountain, in hopes that Mt Stirling can remain a gateway to backcountry skiing for many generations to come!

Tips For Visiting Mt Stirling Alpine Resort

• Fill out a trip intention form and leave your details with Ski Patrol at Telephone Box Junction prior to venturing out on skis or snow shoes
• Check daily weather updates + trail information -> conditions can deteriorate rapidly in the High Country, poor visibility can make navigation very difficult
• Bring plenty of warm clothes
• Carry emergency supplies, including food, whistle, and waterproof matches
• Take the ski patrol’s number, mobile phone reception is patchy but often available near major trails and hubs. Remember to take an up-to-date map

Find More Adventures in Victoria’s High Country

• Best Snow Camping Victoria
• Victoria’s High Country Bursts With Adventure All Year Round
• Snow Camping on Mt McLeod
• The Viking Circuit is a 40km Hike Across VIC’s High Country