The high plateau of the Ben Lomond Range, over 1300m high and 84 square kilometres in area, lies entirely within Ben Lomond National Park, 50km southeast of Launceston. A small ski village sits below Legges Tor (1572m), the second-highest point in Tasmania, and can be reached in an hour from Launceston (or 30min from Evandale); above it the bumpy outline of the range’s steep cliffs dominates the horizon.
Outside the ski season, all services cease and the businesses close down, but bushwalkers are lured by the magnificent scenery and the alpine vegetation. There’s a 12.5km track from Carr Villa, on the slopes of Ben Lomond, to Legges Tor. Bush camping is permitted anywhere in the national park, but Carr Villa is an informal camping area with a pit toilet. For more information, contact the ranger (tel 03/6390 6279).
Ben Lomond Ski Resort
On snow accommodation is available at the Creek Inn which also has entertainment on the weekends. Ben Lomond is a one hour drive from Launceston and two and a half hours from Hobart.
There are a total of 8 surface lifts at Ben Lomond with 6 being run by Alpine Enterprises (3 poma and 3 T-bars) and 2 by Tas Ski Lifts (both Pomas). Lift tickets for the two companies are separate.
Day entry passes must be purchased to drive into the National Park and can be purchased at the park entry or at the Creek Inn. A day pass is $12 with additional days being $6. These fees help provide road clearing services and the further development of the ski field.
The ski season runs from mid-July to the end of September, and although accommodation is limited, the region’s accessibility means there’s no real need to stay. If you’re determined, try the pricey Ben Lomond Creek Inn, which is usually booked out at weekends. Meals are available here, or there’s fast food from the ski resort kiosk.
Alpine Enterprises (tel 03/6372 2499) runs the ski lifts; an all-day pass costs around $25. They offer some ski rental on the mountain but a better range is available at Launceston Sports Centre, at 88a George St (tel 03/6331 4777), which can also advise on ski packages. If you’re driving, be warned that the final 20km to the ski village is unsealed and the last leg, Jacobs Ladder, is very steep, with several hairpin bends, sheer drops and no safety barriers. You must carry wheel chains, which can be rented from the snowline.
For more information on Ben Lomond NP & Skifields, go to: