Long after the snow has melted from the legendary slopes of the Northern Hemisphere, Australia’s best ski resorts offer unique winter adventures. Skiing and snowboarding through snow gum forests are exclusive to the slopes of Australia. In addition to downhill skiing and snowboarding, most resorts offer tobogganing, tubing, terrain parks, and cross-country trails, and many offer night skiing as well. Here are the 8 best ski resorts in Australia, including Mt Buller, Falls Creek, Perisher, Thredbo, and more.
Best Time To Ski In Australia
When is the optimal time to ski in Australia? Typically, the Australian ski season begins in early June and concludes in late September. But heavy snowfalls can extend the season into October, and extensive snowmaking capabilities guarantee that the slopes are covered throughout the entire season. Depending on snowfall, July and August are the most reliable months for skiing in Australia.
Best Ski Resorts In Australia
Thredbo, NSW: The Most Popular Ski Resort In Australia
Thredbo, six hours south of Sydney, is a ski mountain with longer runs, ski-in/ski-out lodging, and a lively après-ski scene.
The Thredbo Supertrail Resort is the longest ski run in Australasia, spanning 5.9 kilometers (3.7 miles) of groomed snow. On a powder day, advanced skiers can try The Bluff or head to Dead Horse Gap for backcountry skiing. Intermediate skiers will enjoy The Cruiser and High Noon, while beginners have their own chairlift-equipped Thredbo ski resort. Ski to Kareela Hutte for a leisurely lunch in the European style, or try Merritts Mountain House for a quick pit stop before returning to the slopes.
Sign up for the flare run, a weekly event where ski instructors and guests ski in the dark from the mountain peak to the village base every Saturday night. When your legs have had enough of skiing, head to the Cascades in the village for a gourmet burger with bone marrow butter and truffle. For live music and mulled wine, visit Schuss Bar or party the night away at Mumm Alpine Bar, Thredbo’s sole après-ski venue.
After an action-packed day on the slopes and a night on the town, your body will be truly ready for rest. There is no better place to do so than The Eastern. A pair of luxury Airbnb apartments with breathtaking mountain views in Thredbo Village. The Denman is an additional cozy and convenient hotel in the heart of the city.
Perisher Ski Resort, NSW
If you prefer large ski resorts, Perisher is for you. The resort has more than 1,200 hectares (2,966 acres) of skiable terrain, making it the largest in Australasia. Perisher ski resort is also six hours south of Sydney and can be reached by car from Jindabyne, a lakeside resort town, or via the Skitube from Lake Crackenback Resort.
You can stay on-mountain at Perisher. But there is no central ski village, so you’ll have to entertain yourself with fellow lodge guests over a home-cooked meal. The Marritz Hotel and The Man From Snowy River Hotel are two of the most popular lodging options.
Perisher is included in the Vail Resorts Epic Pass; international skiers who visit a Vail Resort in North America and possess an Epic Pass can ski for free. The slopes at Perisher are ideal for skiers of all abilities. If your children enjoy the terrain park, that’s even better! Many Olympic and X Games skiers and boarders train in Perisher’s terrain parks, which are among the best in the nation.
Falls Creek, Victoria: Unmissable Ski Resort In Australia
The most beautiful ski resort in Australia is only four and a half hours from Melbourne and two hours from Albury airport. Falls Creek is a pedestrian-only ski village where all lodging, dining, and snow activities are literally ski-in/ski-out.
Falls Creek, the largest ski resort in Victoria, is also great for families due to its thriving ski school and child-specific runs through enchanted forests. Approximately 450 hectares (1,111 acres) and 92 named runs are designated for skiing and snowboarding. Take a Steve Lee Backcountry Tour if you want a bit more excitement. On a purpose-built sled pulled by a snowmobile, an Australian Olympian will transport you to fresh powder snow for skiing or snowboarding.
Hotham, Victoria
Mount Hotham’s ski village is perched atop the mountain rather than at its base. This means that your first run of the day should be downhill to the chairlift. It also means sleeping in hotels and lodges with a genuine alpine feel high above the clouds. Hotham, also known as Falls Creek’s sister mountain, is a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Melbourne. If you wish to ski at Falls Creek while staying at Hotham, you can take advantage of the day-return Heli-Link between the two resorts.
This is a mountain for those who prefer steeper and deeper terrain, with an impressive mix of intermediate, expert, and advanced terrain. Consider Mary’s Slide for bragging rights. Beginner terrain is separated from the rest of the slope, with its own chairlift and ski school for children. And for a truly unique experience, take a husky sled dog tour of the trails in the backcountry.
15 minutes down the road is the purpose-built village of Dinner Plain, which is full of bars and restaurants. A traditional onsen spa treatment is the perfect antidote to a tiring day on the slopes, so make the journey here. Then, spend the night at Pegasus Alpine Club, a family-friendly lodge with breathtaking mountain views.
Mt Buller Ski Resort, Victoria
Melburnians enjoy Mount Buller’s proximity to the city, which is approximately three hours away. With over 300 hectares of skiable terrain, approximately 80 kilometers (49 miles) of marked trails, and Victoria’s largest lift network. There are sufficient beginner and advanced slopes to keep your thighs burning for the entire day.
The Mt Buller ski resort regularly hosts competitive events, such as the ABOM Moguls, so you may witness the world’s best while you’re here. The children will enjoy dog sledding, secured in a traditional sled, while a team of racing huskies pulls them through a winter wonderland in Mt Buller ski resort.
Indulge in pizza at the Breathtaker Hotel’s on-site pizzeria, or spruce up for a formal meal at the restaurant next door. Ski in for après-ski at Snow Pony with the locals, and be sure to dance at the renowned Kooroora Hotel. Stay the night at the Breathtaker Hotel & Spa or the Mt Buller Chalet, both of which are located in the heart of the village.
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Charlotte Pass, NSW
At 1,765 meters, Charlotte Pass is the highest and oldest ski resort in Australia. During the winter months, the resort is only accessible via snowcat from Perisher Valley, located approximately eight kilometers away. But the resort’s consistent snowfall is a major draw.
The resort’s location in a large, open bowl makes its slopes ideal for novice and intermediate skiers and snowboarders. Skiers with advanced ability can explore the backcountry and hike to steep chutes.
The spectacular views of Mt. Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest peak, are an added bonus. Charlotte Adams, the first European woman to climb Mount Kosciuszko in 1881, is honored by the resort’s name. In the terrain park, freestylers can hone their skills, and children will enjoy the play park.
Selwyn Snow Resort, NSW
Selwyn Snowfields, which is owned and operated by a family, is a great place for beginners to gain confidence on the gentle slopes. Numerous families bring their children here to experience snow for the first time. From Canberra, the resort is an easy two-hour drive.
Tubing and toboggan runs, as well as the mini-terrain park and skiing and snowboarding lessons, are popular activities at this ski resort.
The 45 kilometers of Nordic trails will be enjoyed by cross-country skiers. On-site services include equipment rentals, a ski shop, and a café. Adaminaby, Old Adaminaby, and Anglers Reach offer lodging within a half-hour drive of the ski resort.
After an extensive renovation, Selwyn Snow Resort will reopen for the 2022 winter season. Skiers and snowboarders will appreciate the upgraded lifts and expanded snowmaking capabilities, as well as the brand-new Selwyn Centre, which houses all guest facilities and services. In addition to expanded ski and snowboard rental services and new dining options, the center has been upgraded with additional equipment rental options.
Dinner Plain, Victoria
Dinner Plain is an excellent option for novice skiers and families seeking a reasonably priced base from which to ski Mount Hotham, 10 kilometers away. This charming alpine village features two small, kid-friendly downhill ski slopes. It is relatively sheltered from the icy winds that can whip across the Hotham slopes.
Additionally, children can enjoy the snow park and Australia’s longest toboggan run.
The town’s rustic elegance recalls its long history as a cattlemen’s grazing stop; the buildings are constructed primarily of natural stone and wood.
Due to Dinner Plain’s location outside the national park, no overnight parking fees are required. However, if you drive to Hotham every day, you must pay the daily resort gate entry fee. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle or a 10-kilometer cross-country trail to Mount Hotham without paying parking fees.
A further advantage of staying in this quaint little town is that you can typically drive right up to the door of your accommodation rather than lug your luggage across the snow. The majority of accommodations consist of apartments, houses, and chalets that are ideal for families and large groups. The village is also home to a number of excellent eateries. Plus, Dinner Plain is dog friendly!
Small Notes For You Before Skiing In Australia
When planning a ski vacation in Australia, keep in mind that the majority of resorts are located within national parks that charge a daily entry fee. Additionally, chains or 4WD vehicles are required for access to the majority of resorts.
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