Falls Creek, VIC
Falls Creek is located in the centre of the Victorian Alps, halfway between Melbourne and Canberra. Unlike other ski resorts, Falls Creek closes its on-mountain roads to vehicles for the majority of the ski season allowing for an authentic, ski-in, ski-out experience from lifts to the village. Falls Creek caters for all with downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, night skiing and some epic terrain parks for the thrill-seekers. Family-friendly activities include Thursday night fireworks and a visit from the resort’s very own snow dragon mascot.
Thredbo Village, NSW
If the name didn’t give it away, the Snowy Mountains region is the place to be in NSW for your cold fix, and this village, around five and a half hours from Sydney, will keep you entertained with adrenaline-inducing action throughout the day, through to vibrant nightlife, après-ski. Thredbo’s ski resort is home to the country’s longest ski and snowboard runs – the longest is the Village Trail which clocks in at five kilometres. For beginners, Thredbo is also home to one of Australia’s best ski schools offering programs and lessons for everyone.
Mount Hotham, VIC
Mt Hotham has 13 lifts and more than 80 runs suited best to experienced skiers and snowboarders, and is one of Australia’s highest ski resorts (the village is actually perched at the top of the mountain, instead of at the base). In fact, almost half of the terrain here has an advanced rating. Despite being a four-and-a-half hour drive from Melbourne, this opulent resort is worth the drive (or flight) for its 320 hectares of ski terrain, 18 restaurants and bars, its own airport, and even a luxe day spa.
Mount Buller, VIC
Located in the Shire of Mansfield, Mount Buller is one of Victoria’s premier snow resorts and only within an easy three-hour driving distance from Melbourne. If you don’t feel like hitting up the slopes for the day, but want to bask in the rarity of snowy weather in Oz, Mount Buller has pulled out all the stops in terms of entertainment. Head to the spa, trampoline park, Australia’s highest cinema or meander around the sculpture trail.
Mt Baw Baw
This picturesque alpine village is located just two-and-a-half hours away from Melbourne. It’s smaller than Mt Buller (with seven lifts), but it still offers great downhill skiing, plus snow play areas for families. There are accommodation options that cater to all ages and budgets – from backpacker-style dorm beds perfect for solo shredders and budget private rooms to affordable family-friendly ski lodges, luxury private apartments, and chalets. Baw Baw offers an excellent selection of guided tours for all skill levels. Alternatively, try out laser tag or archery, fly fishing or glamping atop of the mountain.
Perisher
Perisher is the largest winter sports resort in Australia. It is situated below the 2,054-metre-high Mount Perisher in Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains and links the areas of Perisher Valley, Blue Cow, Guthega and Smiggin Holes including a total of seven peaks in one of the largest winter sports resorts in the Southern Hemisphere. Perisher is a sporty ski resort with an emphasis on intermediate slopes, but slopes of all difficulty levels are available for skiing and snowboarding.
Several snow parks for freestylers are distributed throughout the ski resort of Perisher between Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes and Blue Cow. Families and beginners can find an ideal setting in the different beginners’ areas and slow areas. Cross-country skiing, tobogganing and snowshoe hiking are also available. One travel highlight is the Skitube alpine railway from the valley which avoids having to drive up the long mountain road to the ski resort of Perisher.
Charlotte Pass
For skiing and snowboarding, there are 10 km of slopes available. 4 lifts transport the guests. The winter sports area is situated between the elevations of 1,765 and 1,954 m.
Charlotte Pass Ski Resort is Australia’s highest ski resort, located in the heart of the Snowy Mountains. All accommodation and facilities are ski-in ski-out giving immediate access to a broad choice of runs and many new features including the Freestyle Terrain Park and Charlottes Play Park.
