1300 885 448TL;DR
Hiring your snow gear in Mansfield is cheaper and easier than hiring on the mountain. Alzburg’s prices start from $25/day, and booking online saves you 15% off walk-in rates across the board. A full ski or snowboard package (skis or board, boots, helmet, jacket and pants) is around $130/day walk-in, around $113 online. Packages run from the Snow Play Fun Pack for non-skiers through to Ski Essentials and Snowboard Essentials for everyone hitting the slopes, with clothing sizes from children’s (age 0–12) right up to adult 10XL. You collect everything in a warm, properly fitted shop before the mountain road, so you arrive ready to ski instead of queuing at a hire desk. The one catch: popular sizes and packages sell out on peak July and August weekends, so book your hire online early and lock in the discount.
Sort your gear before you reach the mountain
Most people heading to Mt Buller don’t give ski hire a second thought until they’re nearly at the resort gate. By then, on-mountain hire feels like the only option, and while it’s convenient, it’s rarely the cheapest or the quickest. Sorting your Mansfield ski hire before you start the climb is the small bit of planning that pays off all day.
This guide covers what gear costs, which packages are available, what’s included, and what you’ll want to bring from home so you arrive prepared and ready to enjoy the snow.
Why hire in Mansfield, not on the mountain?
On-mountain hire is genuinely handy if you’ve arrived with nothing sorted, but you’re paying mountain prices and joining the peak-season queue at the hire desk. On a busy Saturday morning, that queue can quietly cost you an hour of ski time, an hour you’ve driven three hours to get.
Hiring in Mansfield flips that. You collect your gear in a warm shop, get properly fitted by someone who does it all day, and have everything ready before you start the mountain road. No scrambling on arrival, no guessing on sizes in a crowd.
Alzburg is right in Mansfield, 48 km and about 45 minutes from the resort, so if you’re driving, it’s directly on your way up. And if you’re on the Alzburg day tour, the gear stop is already built into the schedule at 8:30am, so it’s handled for you. The shop is open 7 days through winter, early till late, which means you can collect on the way up and drop everything back on the way down.
2026 Alzburg ski hire packages and pricing
The prices below are Alzburg’s 2026 walk-in rates. Booking online in advance saves you 15%, applied automatically at checkout with the online discount, so it’s worth doing before you travel.
Packages
| Package | What’s included |
|---|---|
| Snow Play Fun Pack | Jacket, pants and snow boots. For non-skiers heading up for tobogganing, snow play or sightseeing. |
| Snow Play Essentials | Jacket, pants, snow boots, plus gloves and a beanie to keep (purchased, not hired). |
| Ski Essentials | Skis, boots, poles, helmet, jacket and pants. The complete set for skiers, everything in one go. |
| Snowboard Essentials | Snowboard, boots, helmet, jacket and pants. Everything a boarder needs, sorted. |
Individual item pricing (1 day, walk-in)
| Item | Walk-in (1 day) | Online (approx 15% off) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ski hire (skis, boots, poles, helmet) | From $66 | From $58 | Helmet included |
| Snowboard hire (snowboard, boots, helmet) | From $66 | From $58 | Helmet included |
| Jacket and pants | From $49 | From $42 | Sizes age 0–12 / XS–10XL |
| Walking boots | From $25 | From $22 | Great for snow play and non-skiers |
| Snow chains | $40 | $35 | Compulsory for the Mt Buller road |
| Gloves and goggles combo | From $75 | $60 | Purchased to keep, not hired |
Multi-day rates work out better value than a single day multiplied, so if you’re staying longer, check online for the discount and for the full range. Clothing sizes run from children’s (age 0–12) all the way to adult 10XL, so the whole family is covered in one stop. You can also add accidental damage insurance at checkout or in-store, handy peace of mind if it’s your first time on the snow.
What gear do you actually need to hire?
A quick way to avoid both over-hiring (common with first-timers) and forgetting something important (common with experienced skiers who turn up without clothing). Find your visitor type below.
| Visitor type | Hire | Bring from home |
|---|---|---|
| First-time skier | Ski Essentials package (gear + jacket + pants) + goggles/gloves combo | Thermals, socks, beanie |
| Experienced skier | Skis, boots, poles (or bring your own skis) + jacket and pants if needed | Own goggles, gloves, thermals, layers |
| Snowboarder | Snowboard Essentials (board + boots + helmet + jacket + pants) + goggles/gloves | Thermals, wrist guards if you use them |
| Snow play / non-skier | Snow Play Fun Pack (jacket, pants, snow boots) | Thermals, waterproof gloves, beanie |
| Driver (not skiing) | Snow chains + warm clothing if leaving the car | Warm layers, sturdy footwear |
One thing not to skip: if you’re skiing or snowboarding, goggles and gloves aren’t part of the gear packages. Alzburg sells a $60 gloves and goggles combo you keep, or you can bring your own. Either way, don’t go without. On a bright snow day, twenty minutes without goggles and you’ll be squinting through the rest of your runs.
What to bring from home
Hire sorts the big-ticket gear. These are the smaller things that make the day comfortable, and that hire shops generally don’t stock:
- Thermal base layers, top and bottom. Hire shops don’t carry these, so pack your own.
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 minimum. Snow reflects UV hard and most people underestimate it.
- Lip balm. Wind and cold do a number on your lips up there.
- Snacks and a water bottle. Mountain cafes are great but get busy at lunch, and prices reflect the altitude.
- A beanie and neck gaiter if you’ve got them, or grab them cheaply before you travel. If you forget them you can grab them at the Alzburg. Your hired jacket and pants handle the rest.
Forget something? You can buy most of the basics at the Alzburg Ski Hire or on the mountain, you’ll just pay a little extra for the convenience on the mountain. Packing these from home is the easy save.
Snow chains: don’t get caught out
Here’s the one that catches first-timers off guard every season. Snow chains are compulsory on the road to Mt Buller every day of the ski season, not just when it’s snowing. The mountain enforces it at the resort gate, and without chains you can be turned back after the whole drive up.
The good news is it’s easily sorted. Alzburg hires snow chains for $35/day, and you collect them at the same time as your ski gear, no extra stop. You only need to fit them when Mt Buller staff direct you to, so for much of the season they simply ride along in the boot.
Better still, if you’re on the Alzburg day tour or the Park ‘N Ride coach, chains are handled for you entirely. It’s one of the genuine reasons a coach transfer takes so much stress out of a first ski trip, you just turn up and enjoy the snow. If you’re driving your own car, collect your chains in Mansfield or Merrijig before the mountain road, as these are the last easy stops before the gate. One more for drivers: you’ll also need a Gate Entry Pass for your vehicle to enter the resort, so factor that in alongside your lift tickets.
How to book and what to know before you go
A few practical notes to make booking smooth:
- Book online at least a week ahead of a peak weekend (July and August). Popular packages and clothing sizes sell out, and mid-week trips have far more availability if you can be flexible.
- Online booking saves approximately 15% versus walk-in, applied at checkout. It’s the easiest discount you’ll get all trip.
- If your plans hinge on a specific package, especially Ski Essentials paired with beginner lessons, call ahead to confirm availability before you travel.
- Helmets are included in all ski and snowboard packages, and children’s helmets are available, so the safety basics are covered as standard.
- Returns are easy. Gear comes back to Alzburg after your day on the mountain, at 5:00pm on the day tour schedule. Just return it clean and undamaged, and add accidental damage insurance at booking if you’d like the extra cover.
When you’re ready, you can book Alzburg ski hire online and have your gear waiting for you.
Sorted in Mansfield, ready on the mountain
Gear sorted in Mansfield means you reach Mt Buller ready to go, not stuck in a hire-desk queue at 10:30am while the slopes fill up. Book the full package online, lock in the 15% saving, and put the time you save into an extra run or two.
And if you’re planning a day trip and want the whole thing handled, the Alzburg day tour covers the transport, the gear stop in Mansfield, the snow chains and the return drop-off, so the only thing left for you to do is enjoy the snow. Book your ski hire online here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ski hire cheaper in Mansfield or on the mountain at Mt Buller?
Ski hire in Mansfield is generally cheaper than hiring on the mountain. Alzburg’s online rates start from around $49/day, about 15% less than walk-in prices, and you avoid the peak-season queues at the on-mountain hire desk that can cost you valuable ski time.
How much does ski hire cost at Alzburg in 2026?
Alzburg’s 2026 ski hire starts from $25/day, with a full ski or snowboard package (gear, helmet, jacket and pants) at $130/day walk-in, or around $113 when booked online with the 15% discount. Snow chains are $40/day and a gloves and goggles combo is $75. Booking online saves 15% across the board.
Do I need to book ski hire in Mansfield in advance?
Booking in advance is strongly recommended, especially for peak July and August weekends when popular packages and sizes sell out. Booking online also saves you approximately 15% versus walking in. Mid-week trips usually have more availability if you can be flexible.
What is the difference between the ski hire packages at Alzburg?
Alzburg’s packages suit different visitors. The Snow Play Fun Pack covers jacket, pants and snow boots for non-skiers, while Ski Essentials and Snowboard Essentials include the gear, helmet, jacket and pants needed to hit the slopes. Helmets and clothing are built into both Essentials packages, so skiers and boarders are fully kitted out in one booking.
Can I hire snow gear at Alzburg if I’m not skiing or snowboarding?
Yes. The Snow Play Fun Pack includes a jacket, pants and snow boots for anyone heading up for tobogganing, snow play or sightseeing. It’s a popular option for non-skiers who still want to stay warm and dry, and walking boots can be hired separately from $25/day.
Do I need snow chains if I’m driving to Mt Buller?
Yes. Snow chains are compulsory on the Mt Buller access road every day of the ski season, whether or not it’s snowing, and the rule is enforced at the resort gate. Alzburg hires chains for $35/day, or if you travel on the day tour or Park ‘N Ride coach, chains are handled for you.
What should I bring from home that I can’t hire at Alzburg?
Pack thermal base layers, SPF 50 sunscreen, lip balm, snacks and a water bottle, as hire shops don’t stock these. A beanie and neck gaiter are handy too. Your hired jacket, pants and gear cover the rest, so you only need to bring the small comfort items.
Can I use Alzburg ski hire if I’m not on the Alzburg day tour?
Absolutely. Alzburg’s ski hire is open to everyone, 7 days a week through winter. If you’re driving yourself, Alzburg is in Mansfield directly on the route to Mt Buller, so you can collect your gear on the way up and return it on the way down.