Backcountry Tours
Thanks to the generosity of our backcountry community for the huge volunteer turnout to lead groups out, we can gladly offer Backcountry Tours at affordable prices. Please thank your tour group leaders and tail volunteers for donating their generous time and sharing their backcountry skills with the community.
Tours can be booked after a General Admission ticket has been purchased. All tours require booking. Please only book 1 tour over the weekend, so we can share the tour love to as many people as possible.
Last minute walk-ins might be possible on the day but not guaranteed.
2024 Tour Participants - Important Links
Tour FAQs
What to expect on tour….
The driving force behind running the tours is to bring likeminded backcountry skiers and snowboarders together to create a community spirit and share knowledge. Our superstar volunteers are not qualified guides, so please do not expect a full guide service. All beginner and intermediate tour terrain you will access is easy going, low angle with the intention to give you an introduction to backcountry areas beyond the ski area at Mt Hotham. Our awesome volunteers will be showing you around with their knowledge of the different areas available (depending on weather and conditions) so you know where to head to with your crew next season! Skill sharing and discussion is an important part of these tours.
What do I need to bring on tour?
You will need to be self sufficient for tours, this includes food and water. All the backcountry essentials are listed in the what to bring page. List of gear hire operators are also listed on the same page.
Before you go on tour…..
Your group leader must get from you:
Signed waiver form (please print, fill out and bring with you on the day)
Full list of compulsory equipment and gear including food and water
Where do I get to go?
Final tour areas will be selected closer to the festival weekend once we know what volunteers are rostered on, weather and snow/avalanche conditions. If all goes well, here are some of the Hotham areas we hope to take people touring on:
Dipper area (Razorback)
Hotham summit (Dargo/Pink Hamburg)
Eagle Ridge
Higgi Area
Mt Loch
Cobungra / Spargos
Participants won't be able to nominate what areas they tour on. Think of it like ski school. You don't know where you're going or who your teacher is until day of lesson. At most, we can try keep you and your friends together in the same group.
Can I go on tour with my friend?
Tour group participants get assigned on the morning of the tour. If you have a request to partner up with a buddy, approach one our friendly tour volunteers to let them know. The volunteer coordinators will do their best, but make no promises!
How long do the tours run for? Where is the meeting spot?
Read the fine print on Humanitix when booking your selected tour.
How do I get to Loch car park / Alpine Gateway?
You can park your car at Loch outdoor car park or the new underground car park under the new Alpine Gateway visitor centre building
You can ride the Heavenly Valley chairlift (if First Tracks 7.30am is running), then walk over to Alpine Gateway
For VBCF2024, the festival has organised bus transport from The General to Loch Car Park/Alpine Gateway on the Saturday and Sunday.
First bus 7.15am, running every 15min approximately.
Bus service will run from 7.15 - 9.15am for tour starts
Bus service will resume between 3pm and 5pm for tour finishes
What is the difference between Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced tour?
The introduction ski tour is made to get you started in the backcountry. No such thing as stupid questions. Just open ears and an aptitude to learn more. We will be accessing gentle backcountry glades surrounded by impressive alpine terrain to set your sights for future adventures. The guiding will be elementary and we will travel with a view to learning and really nailing new travel techniques.
The intermediate ski tour is really about exploring new terrain with a local. The tour will be based on the conditions of the day, choosing the best available terrain to get out on. We'll be practising safe terrain management and working together to ensure that everyone gets to lay down some fat tracks and return safely.
Advanced tour days offer bigger and steeper terrain. With that comes a responsibility from both the festival and you. Safety is number one. You will need to have a minimum of AST1 (or equivalent) and some extra kit: both boot and ski/split crampons, either an ice axe or a whippet. Plus, importantly the familiarity to not only use them but with proficiency. Prior participation in a festival run intermediate tour is highly sought on application (so remember that guides name and where you went). There’s the possibility that given conditions on the day these will ‘fall back’ to intermediate terrain, regardless there will be an expectation that your fitness supports days of 800m+ of vert ascent and descent. So please be honest with yourself and us on the day.
For more information about tour levels, check out Victorian Backcountry Companion
Why am I paying for tours?
The festival is all about volunteering and the BC community. But unfortunately there are necessary costs that the committee and volunteers cannot absorb themselves.
Tours contributes the most to festival insurance costs so it’s only fair tour participants contribute a bit more compared to other non-tour festival registrants.
We have done our best to keep costs down so people who normally cannot afford a tour can go out with VBCF.
A typical backcountry tour from the commercial operators typically cost $150-$200/person.
How do I self assess my backcountry skill level
Please refer to the Skills and Experience infographic on the Victorian Backcountry Companion
