MOUNT Buffalo has some of the best and most accessible snow in Victoria and it's free as there are no resort fees to enter the park.

Located only 45 minutes' drive from Porepunkah and Bright, Mount Buffalo provides family friendly cross country skiing and snow activities.

There are extensive areas of snow at both Dingo Dell and Cresta Valley for snow play and tobogganing, cross country skiing, or simply enjoying the amazing views.

There is a warm café and day shelter at Dingo Dell where the Mount Buffalo Ski School is based and they offer daily cross–country ski lessons, regular snowshoe rambles and half and full day ski tours from here.

This is also where you will find excellent tobogganing for children and families.

Toboggan, snowshoe and equipment hire and snow accessories (gloves, beanies etc) are also available here.

Cresta Valley has extensive areas available for tobogganing with some of the old ski runs now available for snow play and tobogganing.

Cresta is also the hub for cross country skiers to access the groomed Cresta Beginners trail, Bogong Loop and Horn Road ski trails.

There are also the longer ungroomed four and six kilometre trails (accessed off the Bogong Loop) and the Lyrebird Plain backcountry trail from the Horn Road.

There is no café at Cresta Valley, but there are portable toilets and a small day shelter (unheated). Other backcountry ski trails include the longer Reservoir Road trail, while the Mount McLeod and Rocky Creek ski trails take you further out backcountry.

Mount Buffalo has snowshoe trails as well as amazing snow hikes to the top of the Hump and the lookout at Dingo Dell.

The gorge precinct with its amazing views of the valleys below and the Alps is well worth a visit and the historical Mount Buffalo Chalet covered with snow is a great photo opportunity.

Snow camping is available at Lake Catani and outstation camping areas (see parkweb.vic.gov.au).

While there are no ski lifts at Mount Buffalo (the old resort having burnt down in 2006) there are still areas at Cresta Valley where you can backcountry style alpine ski or snowboard by simply hike uphill with your skis or board and then travel back down the old ski runs.

There is a requirement to carry chains throughout the majority of the snow season and chains must be fitted where instructed in the designated fitting bays.

Snow chains can be hired at an affordable rate from local ski hire outlets in the valley below.

The Parks Victoria snow reports outlining conditions and chain requirements are available at ski hires in the valley below and are also posted on the Mount Buffalo Ski School Facebook page.

Dingo Dell and Cresta Valley have snow cameras with views of the toboggan runs so you can view the snow conditions before you drive up.

For more information and available tours, visit www.mountbuffaloskischool.com.au or follow them https://www.facebook.com/MountBuffaloSkiSchool.