You may not think it’s possible to take the family on holiday to the Victorian snowfields without spending a fortune on accommodation, but we’ve found a fantastic family budget option for you – without having to compromise on location or comfort. It’s the YMCA Howmans Gap Alpine Centre!

Howmans Gap is the perfect accommodation choice for families heading to the Victorian Snowfields. This comfortable and warm Falls Creek accommodation centre is a beautiful place to stay. Surrounded by stunning mountain ash bushland, it’s hard to believe this peaceful setting is located right before the main entrance to Falls Creek Resort.

Here are just a few reasons why you should consider Howmans Gap for your next family skiing holiday!

Staying at Howmans Gap makes visiting Falls Creek easy

Howmans Gap runs its own shuttle bus to Falls Creek several times a day during the Victorian ski season. The trip only takes ten minutes to get to the centre of Falls Creek Village. Just climb aboard the bus to be dropped off at your Falls Creek skiing area of choice – easy! No need to worry about purchasing a car permit or fitting chains to your car to enter Falls Creek Village. You don’t have to leave your car stranded at the side of the road for a week if you stay at Falls Creek Village, either. At Howmans Gap there is free parking near your accommodation.

Howmans Gap dining hall

Another bonus for staying at Howmans Gap is their big communal dining room. Hot cooked breakfasts are served every morning, and three-course hot dinners are on the menu every night. The dining room is a fantastic place to meet the super-friendly Howmans Gap staff, as well as other guests. There is a wonderful, friendly community atmosphere that will have you all chatting – and the kids playing together – in no time!

Howmans Gap facilities

A large lounge adjoins the main dining room, with plenty of room to relax and unwind after your day in the snow. There’s also a large games room with lounges, board games, ping pong, table soccer, air hockey and more. The kids aren’t going to get bored at Howmans Gap!

Storage rooms for your skis and snow boards are available, plus drying rooms to dry out all of your wet snow gear after all those snowballs, snowy walks and learning-to-ski tumbles! Simply pop your snow and ski gear in at the end of the day, and by the next morning everything is warm, dry and ready for another day of snow fun!

Howmans Gap family accommodation options

There are accommodation choices to suit everyone at Howmans Gap.

Melaleuca Cottage

Take a look inside Melaleuca Cottage

There are two cottages offering accommodation to families or small groups at Howmans Gap, and we were lucky enough to spend several days in one of them – the picturesque Melaleuca Cottage.

This private, secluded cottage is surrounded by beautiful native forest and features stunning mountain views. Sleeping up to eight people, Melaleuca Cottage is perfect for small to large families, or even two sharing families. There are three cosy bedrooms, and a modern bathroom with a shower. A laundry contains drying hooks, and both a washing machine and dryer.

A fully equipped open plan kitchen makes it easy for families to self-cater, and there is an adjoining large dining and lounge area.  A cosy wood fire is located in the lounge room, which also features a large balcony opening off of it. The lounge room has a TV and DVD player, plus family games to play.

Linen is provided for the queen sized bed in the main bedroom, and you will need to bring your own sheets and pillowcases for the other rooms, plus towels and toiletries for the bathroom.

Private group family rooms

Down the hill from Melaleuca Cottage you’ll find the main reception, communal dining room, lounges and accommodation blocks.

There are numerous accommodation bed and bunk configurations to choose from. Private group bunk rooms accommodate small to large families, many with shared modern bathroom facilities. Some rooms have their own private bathroom facilities.

Accessible accommodation

Howmans Gap prides itself on being a fully inclusive community. Their accessible accommodation for the disabled is state-of-the art, and fully caters to a wide range of mobility limitations. All of Howmans Gap facilities are wheelchair accessible.

To find out more about which accommodation option may suit your family, you can find out more at the Howmans Gap family snow accommodation information and specials here .

Howmans Gap Falls Creek Cross Country skiing and snow-fun discounts

Another bonus of staying at Howmans Gap is that you get a 30% discount when hiring snow-shoes or cross-country skis at Falls Creek Cross Country, located at Windy Corner, Falls Creek.

Here you can hire cross country skis, organise cross country skiing lessons for adults or ski school for the kids.

You can also hire waterproof snow boots and toboggans to play with on the family fun area next door.

The cosy Windy Corner Café adjoins the hire and retail shop, and is perfect for a quick snack or delicious hot lunch.

Find out more about Falls Creek Cross Country at the official website here.

For more information about Howmans Gap, you can visit their official website here.

All information is correct as at September 2018 – please check the above website link for relevant, up to date information and accommodation prices. Let’s go Mum were hosted guests of YMCA Howmans Gap, however all opinions remain firmly our own.

Have you ever visited Falls Creek, or do you plan to go one day? Tell us in the comments below…

The post Falls Creek family accommodation at Howmans Gap appeared first on Let's go Mum.

A trip to the Australian snowfields makes a great family holiday, but the thought of organising it all can seem a little overwhelming – especially if you’ve never been before! After all, you need to find somewhere family-budget friendly to stay, a way to feed everyone that doesn’t break the bank, waterproof clothes and snow gear for everyone, ski lessons and lift tickets…there’s so much to think about!

Actually, it’s a lot easier than it sounds – just follow our guide to the essentials for a parent-friendly, super-fun family trip to Falls Creek!

Planning your holiday

How long should we visit Falls Creek?

If you only plan on tobogganing or snow-shoeing and soaking up the general ski-life atmosphere in Falls Creek, a weekend away will be ample. But if you want you and/or the kids to learn how to ski or snowboard too, then five days to a week will have them (and you) flying down the slopes in no time!

How do I get to Falls Creek?

Traveling to Falls Creek from Melbourne

Driving by car is the most direct and cheapest way to get from Melbourne to Falls Creek, particularly for families. The drive from Melbourne will take you around four and a half hours. If you don’t want to drive, there is always the option of taking a coach.

A word about Snow chains

If you do decide to drive, you’ll need to hire some snow chains for your car – it’s mandatory to carry them with you in the Victorian snowfields in winter, and if you get caught without them you’ll be fined. They can be hired from most ski shops in Mount Beauty (and Bright), before you start the drive up the mountain. During busy periods they may run short of your wheel size, so it’s sensible to call ahead and book.

If it snows, you’ll need to fit the snow chains to the driving wheels of your car. Don’t worry, the hire shop will give you a quick lesson on how to fit your snow chains, and signs on the hill tell you exactly when and where to fit them if necessary.

Traveling to Falls Creek from Sydney or other interstate locations

Driving from Sydney to Falls Creek will take you nine hours, Canberra five and a half hours and Adelaide a considerable thirteen hours. Flying to Albury airport (located on the NSW and Victorian border) and then catching a bus will save a lot of driving time. For example, from Sydney to Falls Creek via air takes around three and a half hours all-up (including airport transfers).

Where is the best place for families to stay at Falls Creek?

Cheap Falls Creek family accommodation – Howmans Gap

YMCA Howmans Gap is the perfect base for families to stay at Falls Creek. Located just before the Falls Creek entrance gates, this large Alpine Centre accommodates singles, couples and families very comfortably. A convenient shuttle bus runs to and from Falls Creek Village and Windy Corner, which are just ten minutes away.

Howmans Gap offers budget-minded holiday-ers a range of well-priced accommodation options, include family bunk rooms and separate deluxe cabins in the woods. They also offer hot cooked meals in their communal dining room.

You can find out more about Howmans Gap accommodation in our special feature here.

Snow fun

Outfitting the family – what snow gear you should hire – & what you need to buy!

Before stepping onto that cold white fluffy stuff, you’re going to need to hire or buy wet weather gear for the family. Ski clothes (waterproof pants and jackets) can be hired at Mount Beauty (or Bright, if you’re coming from that direction) ski shops on the way, or from a few smaller shops dotted around Falls Creek.

No matter what you are doing at the snow, you will need to purchase your own ski goggles (sunglasses will do in fine weather), and also waterproof gloves. Don’t forget the sunscreen too – it’s very easy to burn up on the mountain with all that glaring white snow around!

Learning how to ski or snowboard (kids and/or adults)

Cross country ski hire and ski lessons

Learning to cross country ski, or going for a snow-shoe walk are beautiful ways to explore the Victorian snowfields without having to worry about a lift-ticket purchase. This is because you can “walk” or skate uphill on your skis! Making your own way around the numerous trails is a great way to appreciate the stunning snowy alpine flora and fauna of the area – and escape the downhill skiing crowded runs! You can find out more about the different types of cross country skiing here.

Cross Country Ski School and adult lessons

Falls Creek Cross Country at Windy Corner offer everything cross country, and can organise family-friendly cross country skiing lessons and cross country ski hire and ski school packages. Here you’ll also find a lovely warm and friendly café, the Windy Corner Café. If you need any help or information, the friendly staff at Windy Corner will be more than happy to assist you.

Downhill ski/snowboard hire and ski lessons

If you’d like to give downhill skiing or snowboarding a try, Falls Creek main village is the place to be. You’ll need a lift ticket and ski lesson package to get you started, plus you’ll need to outfit everyone in downhill boots, skis and poles and a helmet. You’ll find all of these at Homebase, which is located right at the front entrance to Falls Creek Village, next door to the QT hotel.

Downhill Ski School and Day Care

Ski school is held up on the mountain, which is accessed via the main Halley’s Comet chair lift at Falls Creek Village. Don’t be worried about catching a chair lift. You don’t have to ski onto it, and can walk on carrying any skis with you. Sit back, and enjoy the ride!

If you’re not skiing or don’t have a ski pass, catching Halley’s Comet chairlift is still no problem. Parents are allowed to catch the chair lift up for free to take their kids up to ski school, and of course to pick them up later.

Downhill or Snowboard Ski School for kids starts at 10am and goes to 3pm, leaving parents time to have their own adult ski lessons, or just go for a ski. Ski school provides a hot lunch for the kids too, so you really do get a few solid hours of me-time!

Ski School (or Junior Workshops, as they are also known) is expensive at around $250 per child per day (including hire gear), but is also a very fast way to teach the kids how to ski or snowboard. Half-day ski school is available for younger children.

For the littlies, (babies from 12 weeks old, up to 5yos) day care is also available, located at the bottom of the chair lift at Falls Creek Village.

Tobogganing and snow play

Windy Corner, Falls Creek is also the place for some traditional family snow fun. Located next door to Windy Corner is a large family snow-play area, so Toboggans and Apre Ski (waterproof rubber) boots can be hired here too.

Slide down the hill on your toboggan in the family fun area, build a snowman together – you can even have a good old-fashioned snowball fight! Sometimes the simple things in life make the best family memories!

You’re all set – time to get booking!

So there you have it! You’re now all set for an awesome family snow and skiing holiday. But a gentle heads-up –  the skiing bug does tend to bite hard, and you may find that you have a family of super-keen skiers on your hands. This first family ski trip may well be just the start of many fun family snow holidays together – have a wonderful time!

For more information on family Falls Creek ski accommodation, go to the Howmans Gap official website here.

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All information is correct as at September 2018 – please check the above website links for relevant, up to date information and accommodation prices. Let’s go Mum were hosted guests of YMCA Howmans Gap, however all opinions remain firmly our own.

Have you ever visited Falls Creek, or do you plan to go one day? Tell us in the comments below…

The post Falls Creek – the essential beginner’s guide for families! appeared first on Let's go Mum.