Ben Lomond is a flat-topped dolerite plateau rising to 1,572 metres above sea level, about 50 kilometres east of Launceston. Tasmania's main ski resort sits here, operating from July to September when snow covers the alpine heath. Outside the ski season the plateau is extraordinary walking country — the ascent via the Jacob's Ladder road is a series of tight switchbacks cut into the escarpment, and the views from the top extend across much of northern Tasmania.
The park protects a remarkable concentration of endemic alpine plants. In summer the plateau is carpeted with cushion plants, pencil pines, and wildflowers that have no close relatives elsewhere. The Legges Tor summit at 1,572 metres is Tasmania's second highest point and a straightforward walk from the ski village. Wallabies and wombats graze on the open heath in the early morning.
The ski village at the top has a lodge and some basic facilities, but the infrastructure is modest by mainland standards — which is part of the appeal. In winter you book ahead and accept that the road may be closed by ice.