Enjoy fantastic skiing and snowboarding in the magnificent Snowy Mountains of NSW, home to Australia’s highest peak. The adventure wonderland is brimming with fun experiences, from thrilling downhill runs on pristine snow to music festivals, wine tasting, fascinating heritage and much more.
Thredbo
Thredbo was the brainchild of Tony Sponar, who had worked as a ski instructor at St Antons in Austria so knew good ski terrain when he saw it. He said that he “was looking for a place where ski runs would be long and challenging, easily accessible and where you could establish a modern winter resort.” By 1957, Thredbo was up and running. Thredbo has certainly changed in the past six decades, with its pretty alpine village abuzz with cafes, restaurants and accommodation, and its slopes a magnet for skiers and snowboarders.
Skiing & snowboarding
Thredbo has 480 hectares of terrain that caters to all levels from absolute beginners to those who want it steep and deep. Friday Flat is a dedicated beginner area, with a gentle slope ensuring learners can progress with confidence. Once you have mastered those turns you can ride Merritts Gondola – the first alpine gondola in Australia – up to the Cruiser area, which is a playground for beginners and intermediates.
Experts will head up Kosciuszko Express Chairlift, to tackle the longer runs such as the Supertrail, and black (advanced) runs like Cannonball, Bluff and Little Beauty. Karels takes you up to the highest lifted point in Australia – make sure you ring the bell when you get there. For one of the gnarliest runs at Thredbo head for Michael’s Mistake off Antons.
More on mountain fun
For a fabulous first tracks experience, sign up for a Sunrise Session with breakfast at Australia’s highest restaurant before being let loose on the Supertrail before anyone else. You might even be guided down by Winter Olympian. Thredbo is famous for its Saturday night fireworks spectacular, as well as the preceding flare run where a team of expert skiers and snowboarders light up the Supertrail with flaming flares.
For a challenge and to explore some of the wonderful countryside around Thredbo, sign up for a backcountry tour. You’ll learn important alpine safety skills as well as riding some incredible terrain. Before an off-piste adventure, please read these alpine safety tips carefully.
Other things to do
Thredbo village has a plethora of activities to do when you aren’t strapping on skis or snowboards for a day riding the lifts. The Thredbo Leisure Centre has an indoor heated Olympic pool, waterslide, bouldering wall, gym and squash court as well as Mission Inflatable for kids on weekends and in school holidays. The Thredbo Alpine Museum is a must for its vast array of memorabilia, equipment, photos, and documents that represent Australian snow sports history.
Accommodation & dining
You’ll find many hotels, lodges and apartments in Thredbo village and dotted along the slopes, many with direct ski in-ski out access. You can also stay in Jindabyne and drive into the resort, which takes around 30min. There are also lots of cafes, restaurants, and bars in the village.
One of best dining experiences at Thredbo is dining at Kareela Hutte. Book ahead for lunch or for the special Kareela Snowcat Dinners. Another special occasion is Merritts Mountain Haus Feast where you ride up to dinner on the Gondola to enjoy a Bavarian-inspired feast. Add some more excitement to the evening by doing a snowcat tour to watch the fireworks from the Kareela Hutte deck before heading back for the feast.
Perisher
With four linked resorts in one, Perisher is the largest snow resort in the Southern Hemisphere. Skiers and snowboarders will never be bored with an incredible variety of runs to enjoy in beautiful surrounds. Ride through the snow gums, stop by a rocky outcrop for views over the valley and marvel at the spectacle from the top of Mount Perisher. Perisher is for everyone – from those who have never stepped on skis or a snowboard before to big air warriors and free riders who love it steep.
Skiing & snowboarding
Perisher has 47 lifts servicing 1,245 hectares of skiable terrain. Perisher Valley is the main base and where most people start their Perisher experience. From Perisher Valley you can ski across to Smiggin Holes, then over to Blue Cow and across to Guthega. All have their own personalities, and all are well worth exploring. You can even ride the Skitube from Perisher Valley to Blue Cow if you want to.
The snow sports school offers group and private ski and snowboard lessons for kids and adults. Lessons can help everyone, from learners to advanced riders who want to progress and improve technique. There are terrain parks for those with a love for riding the rails and half pipes for big air tricksters. On weekends, early birds can sign up for a magnificent First Tracks experience, riding freshly groomed runs that are untouched.
If you don’t get enough action during the day, you can head out after dark with the Neon Night Skiing and Boarding, delivering an exciting experience with the terrain around the Village Eight Express well lit.
More on mountain fun
Have you ever wondered how the slopes are groomed so perfectly? Go behind the scenes riding in a groomer to see first-hand how it is done. For a different type of experience, you can try cross-country skiing as Perisher boasts over 100km of marked cross-country trails. Go for a tranquil glide or go hard for a decent workout. You can even organise lessons through an operator like K7 Adventures.
A backcountry experience is easy to arrange with Snowy Mountains Backcountry offering a variety of programs from introductory to advanced. They also have split boarding, snowshoeing and ski touring with the slopes around Guthega, a ski tourer’s delight. Before you do anything off-piste or in the backcountry, please read these alpine safety tips carefully.
Accommodation & dining
There are lodges, hotels and apartments spread across Perisher Valley, Guthega and Smiggin Holes. Many, like Perisher Manor and the Marritz Hotel are close to the lifts so you can strap your skis on at the door. Many skiers choose to stay in Jindabyne and drive into the resort, which takes around 30min, or catch the Skitube from Bullocks Flat.
Perisher has a great selection of restaurants and cafes dotted all around the resort. The Perisher Centre at Front Valley is the main hub for breakfast and lunch, with excellent meals and drinks also to be had at the Man From Snowy River Hotel, the White Spider at the Eiger and Snow Gums at the Perisher Valley Hotel. At Guthega, the Alpine Inn is the spot for lunch. As for hot chocolate and coffee, there are plenty of cosy places on the mountain.
Charlotte Pass
Sitting at 1,765m, Charlotte Pass is Australia’s highest resort and immerses guests in a snowy wonderland. The charming resort is completely snowbound, so the only way to get there is via oversnow transport – an adventure in itself as you take a scenic trip through the main range. Charlotte Pass offers the total winter experience on an intimate level, with no long lift lines, no cars, no stress.
Skiing & snowboarding
Being the highest resort in Australia, Charlotte Pass receives some of the most consistent snow falls ensuring plenty of the white stuff for the slopes. Charlotte Pass has something for every level of skier and rider with five lifts delivering skiers to 19 pristine runs. Many are devoted to beginner and intermediate skiers, meaning it’s perfect for young families with kids just starting out on their ski journey.
Experienced skiers will want to head to Guthrie’s Chutes for that adrenalin rush. The Freestyle Terrain Park is a beacon for those wanting some park action and there are enhanced natural features as well. There are lessons available from professional instructors and an all-day kids’ program for three to 12-year-olds.
On mountain fun
Have an afternoon nap and book in for a groomer tour after the sun sets. Learn how these snow sculptors groom the runs into a carpet of corduroy and make the runs perfect. Night owls will want to reach for the stars with night skiing and boarding from the Basin Poma on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Early birds will want to sign up for the Mount Stilwell Snow Experience; ride the snowcat up the mountain to see the sunrise, then enjoy first tracks before the lifts even open. Other popular events are the weekly flare run, the standard race for adults, the kids race, snowshoe tours and Onesie Wednesday – pack your best onesie and have some fun.
Accommodation & dining
Accommodation is in 11 lodges including the magnificent Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel – the heart of the resort. Dating back to the 1930s, the hotel is known as the ‘Grand Old Lady of the Mountains’. Guests love sitting by the fire with a hot chocolate, while Kosi Bar & Bistro is the place for lunch and drinks, and the Chalet Restaurant is wonderful for dinner.
After a day on the slopes head to Adams Cocktail Lounge for après ski, with High Tea and live jazz adding to the ambience. The Cellar is another good spot for a drink and has live music Wednesday to Saturday. The Stillwell Hotel is another great option for a meal or drinks. Sit on the deck and enjoy the sweeping mountain views.
For More Information visit: https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/snowy-mountains/kosciuszko-national-park
