Victoria Funds Adaptive Skiing at Family Mountain

For 25 years, Tom Bauer has watched his kids grow up on the slopes of Mt Baw Baw, a modest mountain at the edge of Victoria's Alpine National Park. Now president of the Skali Ski Club, he's seen countless families discover the magic of snow for the first time at this welcoming, affordable resort.

The mountain sits at 1,500 meters and may not be Victoria's tallest peak. But about a quarter of all Victorians who ski or snowboard got their first taste of powder at Mt Baw Baw, according to Alpine Resorts Victoria.

Matt Youd runs Erica Ski Hire at the mountain's foothills, where his own 18-year-old son started skiing before competing at elite inter-schools competitions. "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.

That legacy of accessibility just expanded in an exciting new direction. Team Baw Baw Alpine Sports Club successfully secured state government funding to launch an adaptive sports program on the mountain, supporting people with disabilities and intellectual impairments through specialized alpine lessons.

Club president Renee Little knows firsthand why this matters. "As the parent of two children with intellectual impairments, I've seen how important Mt Baw Baw has been in helping them learn to ski in a supportive environment," she said.

The program will work through Mt Baw Baw Ski School to create more inclusive winter sports opportunities. For families who can't afford or feel intimidated by larger resorts, this smaller mountain offers a gentle introduction to alpine recreation.

The Ripple Effect

Mt Baw Baw's impact reaches far beyond its slopes. Small businesses in nearby Erica depend on the steady stream of first-time visitors from Melbourne's southeast suburbs, many discovering winter sports for the first time.

Victoria's alpine industry brought in 1.38 million visitors in 2024, contributing $2.14 billion to the state economy. Mountains like Mt Baw Baw serve as the entry point, where kids who might become future Olympic athletes first strap on skis.

The mountain also draws families year-round for hiking and mountain biking in summer months. "The mountain is a beautiful natural environment, so even in summer we tend to go there for a few visits, just to enjoy the environment," Bauer said.

Now the adaptive sports program adds another dimension: proving that winter recreation can truly be for everyone, regardless of ability. While the Victorian government works through management decisions for the resort's future, the community remains committed to protecting this special place where generations learn, grow, and now break down barriers together.

One modest mountain continues creating outsized opportunities for Victorian families to experience joy in the snow.