Damon Mcknight
Australia may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about skiing, but the country is home to several ski resorts. The Australian ski resorts are mainly found in the states of New South Wales and Victoria, with Perisher being the largest ski resort in the country and the Southern Hemisphere. Other popular ski resorts in Australia include Thredbo, Mount Hotham, Mount Buller, Falls Creek, and Charlotte Pass. These resorts offer a range of experiences, from lively après-ski scenes to family-friendly activities and beginner-friendly slopes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of ski resorts | 16 |
| Major downhill ski resorts | Perisher, Thredbo, Mount Buller, Falls Creek, Mount Hotham |
| Smaller downhill resorts | Selwyn Snow Resort, Charlotte Pass, Mount Baw Baw, Ben Lomond, Mount Mawson |
| Highest lifted point | 2037 m (Thredbo) |
| Longest ski run | 5.9 km (Thredbo) |
| Greatest vertical drop | 672 m (Thredbo) |
| Largest ski resort | Perisher (1245 hectares) |
| Largest ski village | Hotham Village |
| Largest lift network | Mount Buller (25 lifts) |
| Largest ski area in Victoria | Falls Creek |
| Largest ski area in New South Wales | Thredbo (480 hectares) |
| Most family-friendly | Falls Creek, Mount Baw Baw, Thredbo |
| Best for beginners | Friday Flat (Thredbo), Mount Baw Baw, Perisher |
| Best value for money | Thredbo |
| Best ski school | Falls Creek, Thredbo |
| Best for après-ski | Thredbo, Hotham Village, Mount Buller |
| Best for cross-country skiing | Mount Stirling Alpine Resort, Kosciuszko National Park, Alpine National Park, Yarra Ranges National Park, Baw Baw National Park, Mount Buffalo National Park |
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What You'll Learn
Thredbo, New South Wales
Thredbo is a village and ski resort in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, Australia. It is approximately 500 kilometres (310 miles) south of Sydney and is accessible by the Alpine Way via Cooma, Berridale and Jindabyne. The village is built in the valley of the Thredbo River, also known as the Crackenback River, at the foot of the Ramshead Range.
Thredbo has 14 ski-lifts and possesses Australia's longest ski resort run, the 5.9 km from Karel's T-Bar to Friday Flat. It also has Australia's greatest vertical drop of 672 m and the highest lifted point in Australia at 2037 m. Thredbo has over 50 ski runs and employs a standard 3-colour grade system: green for beginners, blue for intermediate and black diamond for advanced. The longest continual run is from the top of Karel's T-Bar to Friday Flat, composed of several trails. The longest single run is the Crackenback Supertrail, which is the longest run in Australia.
Thredbo village has a range of activities for non-skiers, including the Thredbo Leisure Centre, which has an indoor heated Olympic pool, waterslide, bouldering wall, gym and squash court. The Thredbo Alpine Museum is also a popular attraction, with its array of memorabilia, equipment, photos and documents that represent Australian snow sports history. The village has a plethora of dining experiences, including the iconic Kareela Hutte, Merritts Mountain House and Cascades Restaurant.
Thredbo is an Australian ski resort set within Kosciusko National Park in NSW. It was modelled on a European skiing town, reflecting the heritage of workers on the Snowy Mountains Scheme. The resort was developed by a syndicate of people who were working on the Snowy Mountains Scheme at the time.
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Perisher, New South Wales
Perisher Ski Resort, commonly known as Perisher, is located in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, Australia. It is Australia's largest and most popular snow holiday destination, with 45 lifts, five terrain parks, and Australia's only Superpipe. Perisher is the largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere, covering approximately 12 square kilometres and offering 65 kilometres of slopes. The base elevation is 1,720 metres, and the summit elevation is 2,054 metres at the top of Mount Perisher. The resort is spread across four villages: Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Guthega, and Blue Cow, with a total of 1,245 hectares of skiable terrain.
Perisher has a long history, dating back to the 1800s when the area was used for summer grazing. The development of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme in the mid-1900s opened up the region for large-scale ski industry development. The construction of Guthega Dam brought skiers to the area, and the establishment of Guthega Resort in the 1950s, along with Perisher Valley and Smiggin Holes, further stimulated the growth of skiing in New South Wales. Perisher's first lodges were constructed in 1952, and the first oversnow transport operated in 1953. The opening of the first chairlift, T-bar, and rope tows in the following years contributed to the area's thriving ski community.
Perisher Ski Resort offers a range of ski runs catering to different skill levels, with 22% beginner, 60% intermediate, and 18% advanced distribution. The resort is accessible by road and by the Skitube from Jindabyne, Australia's only underground rack railway. The main skiing season runs from July to August, with the official season starting in June and ending in October. The best time to visit Perisher for skiing is typically in July and August, when the resort is in full operation, offering over 3000 acres of wide-open terrain.
Perisher is situated within the Kosciuszko National Park, which was established in 1967 and offers a unique ski and snowboard experience. The park is home to Australia's highest lifted point at 2037 metres near Mount Kosciuszko. The park provides access to cross-country skiing and year-round accommodations, including tours and bush walks. The nearby Thredbo resort, also located in New South Wales, holds the record for Australia's longest ski resort run at 5.9 kilometres and the greatest vertical drop at 672 metres.
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Mount Hotham, Victoria
Mount Hotham, located in the Victorian Alps of the Great Dividing Range, is a popular skiing destination in Australia. The mountain, named after Charles Hotham, the Governor of Victoria from 1854 to 1855, is approximately 357 kilometres (222 miles) northeast of Melbourne. Mount Hotham is known for its cold climate and frequent heavy snowfall, making it a favourite among skiers and snowboarders.
The Mount Hotham Alpine Resort, a commercial alpine resort, is located on the slopes of the mountain and nearby peaks. The resort offers a range of activities, including skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, and sledding. With Victoria's highest annual snowfall, Mount Hotham provides over 300 hectares of snow fields, featuring downhill runs, cross-country trails, jumps, and terrain parks. The resort also offers ski-in and ski-out accommodation, with 13 lifts providing access to the mountain. During the snow season, which typically runs from June to October, visitors are required to carry and fit diamond pattern wheel chains if directed.
The mountain is also a great destination during the summer months, offering spectacular touring opportunities. Visitors can drive or cycle the 230-kilometre Bogong Alpine Way, taking in the sights of Bright, Mount Beauty, Falls Creek, Dinner Plain, and Mount Hotham. Additionally, Alpine Nature Experience offers tours that include snowshoeing, fondue in the snow, tree tent eco-glamping, and other exciting activities.
Mount Hotham has a unique climate compared to most of Australia, with short, cool summers and long, cold winters. It is one of the only places in Australia that has never recorded a temperature above 30°C (86°F). The mountain's peak temperature during the 2009 southeastern Australia heatwave was a mild 28.1°C (82.6°F). Mount Hotham receives an average of 66.1 snowy days annually and is the coldest weather station on mainland Australia based on maximum temperatures.
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Falls Creek, Victoria
The resort offers a range of activities, including downhill skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, and terrain parks with some of the best rails and jumps. It is also the official training base for the Australian national cross-country team and hosts the annual Kangaroo Hoppet, the largest snow sport event in the southern hemisphere.
Falls Creek has a ski school with a variety of adult, child, and advanced lessons. Snowclub 4 Kids runs classes for children aged three to six, while the junior programs cater to seven to 14-year-olds. For those looking for fun in the snow, there is night skiing on Wombats Ramble, snowshoeing, tubing, or even a mile-high lunch on the mountain.
The resort is easily accessible, with multiple daily flights from Melbourne and Sydney to Albury Airport. From Albury, a hire car, direct bus, or private transfer will get you to the resort in two hours. There are also coach services available from Melbourne's Southern Cross Station and Melbourne Airport, as well as from Albury or Mt Beauty. For those travelling by train, V/Line trains run daily from Southern Cross Station to Albury, where you can connect to the V/Line coach service to Mt Beauty and then join the Falls Creek Coaches to the resort.
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Mount Buller, Victoria
Mount Buller, located in Victoria, is a popular destination for skiing and other alpine sports. It is the closest major snow resort to Melbourne, being only about three hours away by car, and is also the closest ski resort to an international airport. Mount Buller receives about 67.6 snowy days annually, the highest for any mainland site in Australia. The mountain has a very cold Oceanic/Subpolar oceanic climate, with cool summers and very snowy winters.
Mount Buller has over 300 hectares of terrain for skiing and snowboarding, with 25 lifts and an even mix of terrain for all standards, from beginners to advanced skiers. The resort also has the largest lift network in Victoria, with 20 lifts capable of moving 40,000 people per hour, including a high-speed 6-seater express lift. The mountain also has more on-mountain accommodation than any other ski resort in Victoria, with over 7,000 beds across various options, from basic backpacker-style accommodation to luxurious alpine retreats. The village also has over 30 bars and restaurants, offering a buzzing nightlife.
For those looking for a day trip, Mount Stirling Alpine Resort is a 30-minute drive from Mount Buller and offers 60 kilometres of groomed cross-country trails. There is no resort accommodation at Mount Stirling, but skiers can stay at nearby Mansfield or camp on the grounds. Mount Buller itself also offers a range of comfortable self-catered apartments and suites in the heart of the village.
In addition to skiing, Mount Buller is also a popular destination for road cyclists due to the challenging climb from Mirimbah to the Mount Buller Village, with an average gradient of 6.2%. During the summer months, the area is also a popular location for alpine hiking, and the mountain has a growing number of downhill and cross-country mountain bike tracks.
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Frequently asked questions
Some of the best ski resorts in Australia include Thredbo, Perisher, Mount Hotham, Mount Buller, Falls Creek, and Charlotte Pass.
Perisher is the largest ski resort in Australia, with 3,076 acres of skiable terrain.
Thredbo is the highest ski resort in Australia, with a vertical drop of 2,037 metres.
The best time to go skiing in Australia is typically July and August. Heavy snow can fall any time between April and December, and most ski resorts open in June.
