Olympian Anton Grimus: On growing up in Mount Buller, one of the best ski resorts in the country

Olympian Anton Grimus was just two years old when he first strapped on a pair of skis.

Growing up in his family’s Austrian-style Hotel Pension Grimus, he started out competing in the junior world championships and found his niche when ski cross made its debut at the Winter Olympics in 2010.

With two Olympic appearances under his belt, Grimus is focused on preparations for Beijing 2022. And while his sport has allowed him to travel to ski slopes across the globe, he is never happier than when he’s surrounded by family and friends at Mount Buller.

Winter wonderland

“I took it for granted growing up, but looking back I think how very fortunate I was,” he says. “I’d strap on my skis at the back door and go skiing – we’re only 100 metres from the ski lift here.”

Grimus says the local community are a tight-knit bunch who have each other’s back.

“You’re just another number in Melbourne, but here you’ve got that country community,” he says. “There’s always someone around for a chat, always a familiar face.”

Grimus is a big fan of the buzz that winter at Australia’s largest ski resort brings. “A couple of weeks before winter the mountain transforms from very quiet to a winter wonderland with snow and crowds and all the lights turned on.”

When he’s not training, Grimus can be found manning his hole-in-the-wall coffee shop, The Grimus Grind.

“There wasn’t really anywhere you could go and get a good coffee takeaway, so I decided to make it myself,” he says.

When it’s time for a more substantial feed, signature dishes at Pension Grimus’ Kaptans Restaurant include the schnitzel and the Salzburger Nockerl, a decadent dessert souffle. You can also visit the long-standing Duck Inn for mouth-watering duck and slow-cooked lamb, Birdcage for cocktails and cafe delights or enjoy a la carte dining at Signature Restaurant.

Family favourite

Agent Mark Adams has been selling property at Mount Buller for over 20 years and says the market is good, with limited stock to meet demand.

“People who own properties here just love it and don’t really want to sell,” he says, explaining that some Melbourne-based buyers opt to split their time between the slopes and the city.

“People move their family up for six months of the year and the children go to school here. It’s a great experience for the kids.”

Over the summer season, Adams says hiking, mountain-bike riding and the annual Targa High Country rally keep the locals entertained.

Top home in the area

You can ski out to the famous Shaky Knees run directly from the newly completed Bella Vista apartments, which come with panoramic north-facing views over the mountains.

This three-bedder has hydronic heating, timber panelled ceilings, a generous drying room and the option to buy parking.

The pad is for sale through Mark Adams of Mark Adams Real Estate, and has a price guide of $1.15 million.