WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT?
Hopefully mid-July to mid-September. As you may realise, all activities are weather and snow dependant. We are good but we don’t have control over the weather…..
WHAT IS THE TIMETABLE FOR THE SHUFFLE BUS – WHEN DOES IT RUN?
We are based on the mountain so we are able to begin Shuffling at 8.30-9.00am, weather and road conditions permitting. The Shuffle Busses run in snow, ice and very adverse alpine conditions. To that end, the times are very weather and road conditions dependant. On a good clear run it takes about 20min per trip. With 3 x 10-seater Troop carriers working all day, hopefully times will be quicker. There is a phone number on the Shuffle Bus Stop sign – please call 6390 6185 or 0427 318 984 if we are not there, and a bus will come down as quickly as possible to get you.
WHERE IS THE SHUFFLE BUS STOP?
Grid reference 41 30’23”S 147 37’33”E on Google Earth
11km up from the bitumen turnoff of the C401 main road, there are signs at the bottom at the intersection.
You will see big rocks in the middle of the road and orange traffic bollards. You are then at the Parks and Wildlife Service Registration area and our Shuffle Bus Stop.
There is free car parking on the left hand side or on the road where indicated that it is safe. The Shuffle Bus then collects you from this point and takes you the further remaining 8 kilometres to the top.
All the Snow Sports Shuffle Busses are white Landcruiser Troop Carriers and all look the same.
WHAT WILL THE SNOW BE LIKE ON A PARTICULAR DAY?
Check out the following sites for current details:
We know as much as you…….
DO I NEED CHAINS?
If you are driving right to the top, i.e. the Snow Village, which is past the Shuffle Bus Stop………… YES YES YES YES you do need chains.
ALL vehicles, 4WD and 2WD, need to carry chains past the past the Shuffle Bus Stop. Parks and Wildlife Service check and turn people back if they do not have chains.
Not only do you have to carry the chains you have to know how to fit them correctly, to the driving wheels of your car, and know how to drive safely and confidently when the chains are on your vehicle.
Snow Sports Shuffle Bus operators do not offer a service of pulling cars trapped in snow, bogged in gutters or whatever snow hazards your car could come in contact with. Parks and Wildlife are not allowed to help retrieve vehicle from mishaps. There is also limited mobile reception on the road to the mountain, and all that can be done is usually message for a Tow Company to come and collect you.
Harsh, yes - but if you have no chains you will be on your own.
For current road conditions call Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife for a recorded message on 0427 646 557, or checkout our Facebook Page for daily updates.
Contact Adam at Tasmanian Parks & Wildife for any other information on Ben Lomond on 0409 506 029.
EFTPOS SERVICES AVAILABLE?
Yes we have EFTPOS for our business (but there is no ATM on the mountain).
WHAT ACCOMMODATION IS AVAILABLE?
Ben Lomond Snow Sports recommend the following:
ON TOP OF BEN LOMOND
Tas Rovers Ski Club
email bookings@RoverSkiClub.com
facebook https://www.facebook.com/TasmanianRoverSkiClub/
Northern Tasmanian Alpine Club
www.ntac.org.au
Niki 0407 319 135
LAUNCESTON & SURROUNDS
Balmoral On York
Phone 03 6331 4800
Brickendon Estate - Longford
World Heritage Listed Colonial Farm Village & Accommodation
www.brickendon.com.au/accommodation
Phone 03 6391 1383
email information@brickendon.com.au
Mercure Launceston
3 Brisbane Street, Launceston
Mecure Launceston Website (CLICK HERE)
For direct bookings:
Phone 03 6331 2055
email info@mercurelaunceston.com.au
DO YOU TAKE BOOKINGS?
Bookings for boarding or skiing lessons are not necessary, however it does help with our staffing numbers if we know in advance, when possible, a day before.
You will not be charged until the time of your actual lesson.
If you can, please phone in advance to let us know you would like a lesson - but if it's a last minute decision that's fine - please still come and see us and we will accommodate you!
ARE THE LIFT/TOWS WORKING?
Any quesions on tows are to be directed to the Lift Company Phone 03 639 06122 or email alpineenterprises.bl@gmail.com
WHY IS THE PHONE NOT ANSWERING?
Sometimes we are just too busy to get to the phones, so a better option would be to email ski@skibenlomond.com.au or use Facebook Messenger
https://www.facebook.com/BenLomondSnowSports/ and we will respond. Alternatively, calling after 5pm but before 8pm is another option.
HOW TO GET TO BEN LOMOND?
CLICK HERE for information on how to get to Ben Lomond by car.
Don't have your own car?
We recommend using Discover Tasmania Tours , offering private Snow Tours, to get you to the Mountain
IS THERE A BUS SERVICE?
Ben Lomond Snow Sports operate a bus service from the Parks & Wildlife Service Registration Booth. The Shuffle Bus is located on the mountain 24/7.
Just call us on 6390 6185 from the bus stop and we will be down to collect you; most mobile phones work from that area.
CLICK HERE for more information regarding Ben Lomond Snow Sports’ Shuffle Bus service.
CAN YOU GET HOT FOOD AND DRINKS?
There is a cosy café on site within our building to rest, relax and replenish those tired muscles!
We have take-away food, hot snacks and coffees and drinks. Try our mountain hot chocolates, you won't forget them! There is a large balcony outside our cafe that you can sit on and enjoy watching the action on the snow (weather permitting) or from inside where it is nice and warm.
We have EFTPOS facilities available on site.
CAN I LEARN TO SKI AND BOARD?
The ski school is located within the Snow Sports building offering lessons in skiing and boarding.
For information on prices and times CLICK HERE or call us on 0427 318 984 (pre-season) or 03 6390 6185 during the season (our apologies if you receive a recorded message when we are busy).
MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE
With the installation of a booster at our premises, there is good TELSTRA coverage in the immediate vicinity of the Ben Lomond Snow Sports building, however coverage from all other service providers is very sketchy if any.
Please do not rely on your phone for transferring money etc.
ARE THERE ANY JOB VACANCIES?
We do NOT need housekeeping staff as Ben Lomond Snow Sports have no accommodation facility.
Enquiries are welcome for: qualified instructors, ski snowboard technicians, baristas and café staff for the winter season, please email us at ski@skibenlomond.com.au