What we’re about
The YHA Cross-country Ski Club is a recreational trail and backcountry ski touring club based in Melbourne, Australia.
The Club's purpose is to provide opportunities for people to join in social cross-country skiing events, whether they are beginners or more experienced. As a skiing focused group, we are limited by the snow season and amount of snow in the Victorian alps. But we do hold other social events outside the snow season.
The Club is affiliated with the Youth Hostels Association of Australia, a not-for-profit organisation with members of all ages. We are part of YHA Activities which is dedicated to the pursuit of activities such as bushwalking, cycling, canoeing, and cross-country skiing.
The YHA Cross-country Ski Club is not a commercial enterprise - we keep costs to a minimum on our trips, and successful trips depend on participants' co-operation and contribution.
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Ski Hotham Trails - Solstice Weekend - Lodge accommodationAardvark Alpine Lodge, Hotham HeightsAUD 210.00
We are kicking off the 2024 snow season with a weekend trip to Mount Hotham to celebrate the Solstice and enjoy great food and company. Let it snow!
We'll be staying at the cosy Aardvark Alpine lodge with self-catering facilities - the highest lodge at Mt Hotham, and in Victoria!
Important: Payment for this trip is not made via Meetup or using PayPal due to additional fees
To attend this event, you must confirm your intention to Attend via Meetup and then secure your spot by completing the event questionnaire which includes payment details - see instructions and link below.This is not a trip for absolute beginners - skiers are expected to have at least skied easy trails.
Because this trip is early in the season, there is no guarantee of snow - crossed fingers though! But if there isn't enough snow on the trails, we will have the option of bush walking or using the ski lifts on the downhill runs.
Any questions before booking, contact your trip leaders and hosts, Dale and Kim.
BOOKINGS CLOSE 1 WEEK BEFORE THE TRIP 21st June
To complete your booking and payment to secure your spot:
- Read the Club's Terms and Conditions
- Complete the trip questionnaire by clicking on this link: Solstice Weekend. Make sure you include your email address and phone number in your responses. Note: Questionnaire responses can only be viewed by the trip leaders.
- Transfer your payment to the YHA bank account details in the questionnaire.
- Your booking is not secured until payment is made and confirmed.
Please note: If you would like to attend with one or more friends, each of you will need to complete the questionnaire and finalize your booking individually.
Important things to know and do
Staying at Aardvark Alpine Lodge: BYO bed linen and towels (no sleeping bags!) or you can hire at the lodge.
Basics such as tea, coffee, sauces, spreads, flour, sugar, etc are provided, but you will have to provide your own breakfast and lunch (to eat on trail).Saturday night dinner is a Pot Luck party: This means you supply a dish to share or in-kind contribution of around $10-$20 value. Some prepare their favourite curry, a hearty stew or pasta - others may supply dessert, or an antipasto/cheese platter as entree. Let the organisers, Kim and Dale know what you're planning to bring along - savoury or sweet.
Transport to/from Hotham: Carpooling is organised a week before the trip.
Travel Time: It takes approximately 5 to 6 hours to get to Mt Hotham, so people generally plan to leave Melbourne by 5.00pm. In the past, we have found most drivers will take the whole or half-day off work on Friday. If you are not driving, you will have to take this into consideration when carpooling because it is your responsibility to get to the driver's location. On Sunday, most people leave Mt Hotham by 3.00pm to head back to Melbourne.
Drivers: Carrying chains is compulsory and they must be fitted where directed. The speed limit through Hotham Village is 40km and speed cameras may be in operation.
Chain hire: Available at Ray's in Myrtleford or Hoys at Harrietville.
Ski gear hire: Cross country skis can be hired from Ray's Ski Shop in Myrtleford or Hoys at Mt Hotham. Ask for metal edge cross country skis, with a pattern base. And we recommend contacting Rays or Hoys in advance to book your skis.
Insurance: Ambulance cover is strongly recommended as private health insurance often only covers emergency transport when the siren is on.
- Beginners Cross Country Ski Weekend - Falls Creek - Lodge accommodationHowmans Gap Discovery Camp, Falls Creek, VIAUD 265.00
This weekend is all about introducing people with little or no experience to the joys of cross-country skiing. Our more experienced members will be on hand to help you understand what it's all about, in a relaxed and supportive environment.
A reasonable level of fitness is required to participate in this trip.
Important: Payment for this trip is not made via Meetup or using PayPal due to additional fees
To attend this event, you must confirm your intention to Attend via Meetup and then secure your spot by completing the event questionnaire which includes payment details - see instructions and link below.
BOOKINGS CLOSE 2 WEEKS BEFORE THE TRIP July 19th
To complete your booking and payment to secure your spot:
- Read the Club's Terms and Conditions
- Complete the trip questionnaire by clicking on this link: Beginners Weekend Make sure you include your email address and phone number in your responses. Note: Questionnaire responses can only be viewed by the trip leaders.
- Transfer your payment to the YHA bank account details in the questionnaire.
- Your booking is not secured until payment is made and confirmed.
Please note: If you would like to attend with one or more friends, each of you will need to complete the questionnaire and finalize your booking individually.
Overview of the trip: We'll be staying at Howman’s Gap on Friday and Saturday night. Dinner is provided Friday night, Breakfast & Dinner Saturday and Breakfast Sunday. Lunches are not provided and there is no access to kitchen facilities to make lunch etc. Accommodation is shared rooms (5-6 people per room).
The YHA trip doesn’t commence until you after you arrive at the accommodation on Friday evening from 5pm onwards. The trip finishes when you leave Windy Corner on Sunday afternoon.
Friday: Travel up on Friday to YMCA Howman’s Gap - 2587 Bogong High Plains Rd, Falls Creek. It takes approximately 4.5 hours to get to Howman's Gap, so people generally plan to leave Melbourne by 5.00pm.I
Drivers: For anyone driving, carrying wheel chains is compulsory past Mount Beauty and they must be fitted where directed. Chains can be hired at:
Rays Ski Shop
21 Myrtle St, Myrtleford
03 5752 1306
Rocky Valley Bikes Snow Sports
226 Kiewa Valley Hwy
Tawonga South (just before Mt Beauty) 03 5754 1118Dinner is provided on Friday night from 6.15pm to 7.30pm. If you arrive after this time, the meal can be microwaved.
If you want to stop for dinner on the way a couple of options are:
Happy Valley Hotel (great gourmet pub)
4994 Great Alpine Road, Ovens
03 5751 1628
Kinnaree Thai Restaurant - next to the Caltex garage.
65 Myrtle St (the main road)
Myrtleford VIC 3737
03 6331 4319On arrival at Howman's Gap: Please let trip leader know you have arrived so you can be checked in sign the Trip Terms & Conditions
Saturday: Cooked breakfast is provided by Howman’s Gap (eggs / bacon / cereal /toast /juice tea /coffee etc) between 7.00am and 8.15am.
Pack your backpack and be ready for a trip briefing at 8.30am, after which we will travel up to Falls Creek/Windy Corner.At Windy Corner, we'll split into groups based on experience and ability.
At lunchtime, you can purchase some limited lunch items at Windy Corner or have lunch on the mountain.After the day's skiing, we will return to Howman's Gap late afternoon.
Important: So we know everyone is safe, you must check in with the Trip Leader before heading back to Howman's Gap for a 3-course dinner provided from 6.15pm to 7.30pm.Sunday: After breakfast (served 7.00am to 8.15am), we pack cars and meet for a briefing at 8.30am.
What you need to bring:
- Towel, pillow/pillowcase, sheets and sleeping bag/doona
- Lunch and snacks (to eat on the trail).
Additional costs: Extra costs will include Falls Creek resort entrance fees, ski hire and fuel (if carpooling).
Health and Safety
Insurance - Ambulance Cover: We strongly recommend ambulance cover. Many private health insurance companies only cover ‘emergency’ ambulance transport – when the siren is on. A broken limb from skiing may not be considered an emergency so private health insurance may not cover cover medical transport expenses.Further information including carpooling arrangements, a gear list and ski hire options will be emailed to confirmed participants about 2 weeks before the trip.
Important: Refunds are not possible if you cancel, due to the club having to cover the cost of the accommodation. The exception to this is if the trip is unable to go ahead because of COVID government restrictions - in this situation you will receive a full refund.
- Ski Dinner Plain and Mt Hotham - Lodge accommodationWrens View, Dinner PlainAUD 730.00
Enjoy a week of cross-country skiing and fun from the comfort of a Dinner Plain ski lodge!
This trip is for a week from 3.00pm Sunday 4 August until mid-afternoon on Sunday 11 August.
No formal program but each day we'll aim to cross-country ski around Dinner Plain and Mt Hotham, including following the Wire Plain trail, exploring Christmas Hills, skiing out to Mt Loch and more.
Cost: $730 Please note: Refunds are not possible (full details in policy).
IMPORTANT
Booking for this trip: Before your place on this trip is confirmed, private message Trip Leader Dale to ensure a suitable bed is available. This is an expression of interest only. Do not proceed to attend and make payment until your place is actually confirmed, or otherwise, by email to you from the trip leader.Once your place is confirmed, please complete the detailed questionnaire, via link below and make payment of $730. Details for paying are included in this questionnaire: Dinner Plains Questionnaire.
Accommodation:
Wrens View is a classic Dinner Plain Lodge with exposed beams, is roomy with large kitchen, dining and lounge area. It also has a games area with pool table and beautiful views.A mixture of spacious private bedrooms, single beds and bunks room. There are 2 bedrooms, each with a king bed, a room with 2 bunks, and a large loft which easily sleeps 6 people in comfy single beds and a king bed. Bed linen supplied.
You can prepare gourmet meals in the fully equipped kitchen or stroll to the many eateries around the Dinner Plain village. Note: Communal fridge items, (milk, butter, tea, coffee, etc) will be supplied and are included in the trip fee.
Transport:
The Trip Leader will do their best to arrange car pooling. When you sign up, you'll be asked in the questionnaire whether you plan to drive. This will help us find compatible drivers and passengers. Car pooling is arranged the week before the trip.It takes approximately 5 to 6 hours to get to Dinner Plain, so people generally plan to leave Melbourne by 10.00am.
If you're not driving, it's your responsibility to get to the driver's location.
Drivers note:
Carrying chains is compulsory and they must be fitted where required. The speed limit through Hotham Village is 40km and speed cameras may be in operation.Ski and chain hire:
Ski gear hire is available at Ray's in Myrtleford, Hoys at Mt Hotham or Dinner Plain. Ask for metal edge cross country skis.
Chain hire at Rays ski hire Myrtleford or Hoys at Harrietville.Insurance:
Ambulance cover is strongly recommended as private health insurance often only covers emergency transport when the siren is on.
