We weren’t a snow-going family when I was a kid – the one trip we went on gave the Griswolds a run for their money! I’m surprised I ever made it back there, but landing a job on Mt Buller in the early 2000s helped the cause, and I am so thankful for that.

From very humble beginnings at Mt Buller, I was lucky enough to go on to Heli-Board in Canada, and work for multiple seasons in Chamonix, France. But I will always see Mt Buller as my home mountain. I even met my husband there – he snowboarded professionally for five years and went on to coach for Team Buller. So it’s safe to say that I am now part of a snow family!

I feel that the Mansfield Mt Buller region demonstrates a slower pace of life – stopping to chat with people in the street; fresh air; warm fires; big coats and red wine. It is a base for so many activities and attracts all walks of life. There is always an event or festival going on! It’s a humble area, where it’s not uncommon to see a few horses tied up outside a pub whilst their owners are getting a parma.

My family is now in the process of designing and building a home at the base of Mt Buller, I’m so excited to create a base for our kids to learn to ski and to host friends and family. We live in the outer Eastern suburbs of Melbourne, so we’re already a quarter of the way to the region! My favourite part of the drive is when the snow-capped tip of the mountain comes into view for the first time. It’s pretty magical.

Being there reminds me of when I was an adventurous twenty-year-old – driving my red Ford Laser, listening to Chicane on the mini disc on repeat while learning to snowboard. It reminds me of finding love, hiking to the summit to watch the sunset, sliding down to the Kooroora hotel on a tray from the Abom canteen. But more than anything what I love about our time at Mount Buller is embracing something that unites friends and family in a spirited way, without devices and technology, with a long (ish) drive where we can sing loud and sleep soundly.

Today, I’m sharing with you some of my favourite places to stay, eat and shop in the Mt Buller / Mansfield region – just in time for the slopes to open on June 22nd!

Simone on the Mount Buller slopes! Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Simone spent a lot of her 20s snowboarding on Mount Buller and around the world! Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

A beautiful mountain vista. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design files.

The 2020 Mount Buller season will be opening on June 22nd. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design files.

Simone on the slopes. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

The absolutely exquisite Apartment 2 inside of Chalet 5 accommodation, located at the peak of Mt Buller’s village. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Caitlin Coghlan.

Snow luxury at Whitehorse Village! Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Unbelievable views from Chalet 5 at Whitehorse Village. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Caitlin Coghlan.

Bath with a view! Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Caitlin Coghlan.

Room with a view! Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Caitlin Coghlan.

The handsome interiors at Black Cockatoo. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Fresh, seasonal produce at Black Cockatoo. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

The perfect place for an après ski cocktail. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Spurs Iron Maiden Smokehouse located at the top of the Northside Express chairlifts. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

An added bonus to Spurs is warming up by the smoker! Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Brisket and pulled pork roll from Spurs. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

A chic fit-out at The Villager. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Simone with her cheese fondue and beer… is there anything better? Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Corn ribs from The Villager. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Cheese fondue and beer from The Villager. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

The Villager. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Mansfield Coffee Merchant in Mansfield. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Simone’s coffee hot spot on the way up the mountain. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Locals chat and drink coffee at Mansfield Coffee Merchant. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Treasures found at Vintage Traders Emporium. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Vintage Traders Emporium in Mansfield. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Harvest Wholefoods for healthy snacks and organic produce. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Simone shopping at Harvest Wholefoods. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

BYO picnic by the picturesque Delatite River in Mirimbah Park. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Styling – Caitlin Coghlan.

Delatite Winery (kitchen closed until further notice). Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

The Cellar Door at Delatite Winery (kitchen closed until further notice). Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

The beautiful Mansfield region. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Winter sunshine. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

A small church in the Mansfield region. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Misty Mansfield roads. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.