The team nicknamed JMF (Johnny Monash Football) will be competing in the Australian University Games over the next few weeks in Melbourne and hoped the cool conditions at Mt Baw Baw would ``toughen'' them up for the event.

Team manager James Jell said many players wore just their footy shorts and vests while undertaking a hard training session in the snow.

Some of the Mt Baw Baw snow sports instructors also put the team through some painstaking snow drills.

But it wasn't all work for the boys who got to enjoy the great snow conditions at Mt Baw Baw and had the opportunity to have a ski or a snowboard.

The training session was Mr Jell's idea as he had been working at Mt Baw Baw for the past three months.

``The high altitude pushes your lungs to a whole new level and the steepness of the mountains really work the legs and the boys will be sore when they finish,'' Mr Jell said.

Monash is the reigning champion and looks set to finish highly in the competition.

JMF consists of players from Monash University campuses in Churchill, Clayton, Frankston and Caulfield.

The players are from many different leagues around the state with a good mix of hard country footballers and quick, highly skilled city boys.

After winning last year's Australian University Games against arch rivals Melbourne University and the previous four Southern University Games/Challenges, the team is currently favourite for this year's gold.

Mt Baw Baw CEO Leona Turra said it was the first time there was skiing at Mt Baw Baw for the September school holidays and the season has been extended until 5 October.

``We want to see more footy players up at Mt Baw Baw taking advantage of the spring skiing and the close proximity to Melbourne,'' Ms Turra said.

On Friday there was still 82cm of snow cover on the mountain, with more forecast to fall this week.

``If we keep making snow like we are, we could be skiing until Christmas.''