If you’re planning a ski holiday to Australia, there are some resorts that you might want to consider. These include Mt Buller, Mount Hotham, Charlotte Pass, and Thredbo. These resorts have high snowfall averages and some of the country’s steepest double black diamond runs. Plus, they have plenty of beginner terrain and other unique activities, such as dog sledding.
Thredbo
Located a 2.5 hour drive from Canberra, Thredbo is one of Australia’s most popular ski resorts. It offers a wide range of slopes and trails, including five of the longest in the country. It also boasts the tallest ski lift in the continent, taking guests up to 2037 metres. From the top of the mountain, skiers can venture off into the backcountry.
The terrain at Thredbo is great for intermediates, with only a few steep slopes. The area also has numerous terrain parks, which are sure to keep advanced skiers and snowboarders entertained. The resort also has a dedicated ski area for beginners.
Thredbo has 13 lifts spread across the mountain. The Merrits chair used to take 30 minutes to reach the top of the mountain. But now, the resort has a gondola that allows skiers to travel much more quickly. While most resorts in Australia rely on snow-making, Thredbo’s lifts are able to run throughout most of the season. This means that while powder days are rare, they are still quite enjoyable.
Thredbo can be reached by car. There are buses from Canberra and Cooma to the ski resort. However, you should remember to wear your chains when driving. Otherwise, you may face hefty fines. In addition, you need to prepare for snowy roads, which make driving to the resort difficult.
Australia may be an arid country, but it is home to some of the world’s best ski resorts. Thredbo in New South Wales is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere and is just a six-hour drive from Sydney. Thredbo is one of the best places to take your family for an affordable ski experience.
Perisher
Perisher Ski Resort spans seven peaks and offers 1,245 hectares of skiable land. This vast area is about four times the size of Selwyn, Charlotte Pass, and Mt Buller combined. The resort boasts 47 lifts, including three high-speed quad chairs and fourteen chairlifts. Skiers and snowboarders are sure to find a slope to suit their ability level. The terrain is diverse, and the runs range from beginner to advanced.
Perisher is one of the best ski areas in Australia. The resort has the largest ski terrain in Australasia. It is located about six hours’ drive south of Sydney. Access to the ski area is easy through the Skitube from Lake Crackenback. Perisher doesn’t have a central ski village, but there are a number of lodging options. You can choose between the Marritz Hotel and The Man From Snowy River Hotel.
Perisher has excellent on-mountain accommodations, including hotels, resorts, and apartments. The closest town below the snow-line is Jindabyne, 30-40 minutes away. From there, you can take a short Skitube ride to Bullocks Flat, which has a great range of accommodations.
With 480 hectares of rideable terrain, Thredbo is one of the best ski resorts in the world. It is served by 14 lifts, and a new gondola is set to open in 2020. The resort is a traditional European village situated at the base of the mountains, with plenty of ski-in/out accommodation.
Perisher offers more slopes than Thredbo, with more beginner-friendly terrain. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned pro, you’ll find something to suit your skill level. Aside from skiing, Perisher also offers other winter activities, including ice skating, tobogganing, cross-country skiing, and tubing.
Mt Buller
If you are looking for an easy to access, great value Australian ski resort, then look no further than Mt Buller. Just three hours’ drive from Melbourne’s international airport, this ski resort is a great destination for day trips and weekend escapes. After a period of lockdowns due to COVID, Mt Buller is back and making the most of its lockdown-free season.
To reach the ski village, you can take a shuttle from the southern end of the city to the base of the mountain. This option is far less expensive than renting a car and is also more convenient. The bus is spacious and offers free Wi-Fi, USB charging ports, and no luggage restrictions.
Mt Buller is part of the popular Mountain Collective ski network and is included on the Ikon Pass, which is the most popular Australian ski pass. For advanced skiers, Mt. Hotham is another excellent choice. At 1,861 meters, it has the highest altitude of any Australian ski resort, and the steepest terrain. The mountain is also known as the Powder Capital of Australia.
Australian ski resorts are a great choice for those who want to experience a world-class skiing experience. There are numerous resorts throughout Australia that offer skiing and snowboarding. Many of them are close to Sydney and offer night skiing and tubing. Depending on the resort, you can also do a day trip from Sydney.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly resort, consider Falls Creek. It has a vibrant ski school and child-dedicated slopes. It also has a variety of activities for adults, including a popular spa and European apres-ski. Its 450 acres of skiing feature 92 named runs. It’s also home to the world-famous Steve Lee Backcountry Tour. The former Australian Olympian takes guests to the pristine snow.
Charlotte Pass
Charlotte Pass is Australia’s highest ski resort, and receives consistent snowfall. The resort has five lifts and 19 pristine runs for all levels, from beginners to advanced skiers. Beginners can enjoy the Kosci Carpet, while intermediates and advanced skiers can tackle the Sidewinder.
In addition to the slopes, the Charlotte Pass ski resort has two terrain parks. There’s a challenging Freestyle Terrain Park and a child-friendly Charlotte’s Play Park. The resort also has group and private lessons, as well as a dedicated snow sports program. For a more adventurous getaway, Charlotte Pass offers a scenic snowcat ride to Mount Stillwell. You can also take a sunset groomer tour, which will provide stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
While you’re at Charlotte Pass, make sure to check out the Blue Lake walk. It crosses the Snowy River and ascends through alpine herbfields. Blue Lake is one of the four cirque lakes in mainland Australia, and is home to some of Australia’s most developed glacial features. From Charlotte Pass, a four-hour round-trip walk will bring you to Blue Lake. Be sure to check out the local government regulations and restrictions before heading out on your Australian ski holiday.
Charlotte Pass is located at an elevation of 1,760 metres, so it receives ample natural snowfall in the winter season. Winter temperatures typically range from -6 to 3degC. The ski area is also home to Thredbo, Australia’s highest ski resort, with some of the country’s steepest runs and the longest ski run in Australia, the Supertrail.
The village at Mount Hotham lies above treeline and most of the resort’s slopes descend from the village. There is free shuttle service between the resort’s hotels and the ski areas, and there is ample room for families. Kids can also take advantage of the resort’s kid’s snow zone. The area also has a full-day childcare center.
