Thredbo, Snowy Mountains, New South Wales © Tourism Australia
Thredbo, Snowy Mountains, New South Wales © Tourism Australia
The best ski resorts in Australia
Australian snowfields offer a unique experience for skiers and boarders looking for fresh snow with a beautiful bushland backdrop.
Whether you're zipping down Australasia’s longest ski run, cruising intermediate slopes or finding your feet in the beginner's area, Thredbo has it all. You can choose to indulge in exclusive experiences like their Sunrise Session to snag the first run of the day. Après the nights away at Alpine Bar, then rejuvenate with a night in at cosy accommodation options like The Eastern or The Denman. Those with access needs can also check out Thredbo’s Adaptive Snowsports Guide to prepare for epic adventures on the slopes.
If you like your ski resorts big, then Perisher is for you. The resort boasts the largest terrain in Australasia and some of the best terrain parks in the country. You can stay on-mountain at Perisher without the crowds of a ski village with options like the Marritz Hotel and The Man From Snowy River Hotel. Many skiers opt to stay in the nearby town of Jindabyne, where you'll find classic country pubs, a range of restaurants and a welcoming, laid-back vibe.
Falls Creek is a pedestrian-only ski village, where all the accommodation, dining and snow activities are ski-in/ski-out – so bring your après boots! The largest ski resort in Victoria, it's also great for families, with a thriving ski school and child-dedicated runs. If you fancy adventuring beyond the park, take a Hakuba Backcountry Tour with Australian Olympian Steve Lee to find fresh powder snow. Visit Elk or Astra Lodge for quality food by the slopes.
The ski village at Mount Hotham is perched on top of the mountain, meaning your first ski of the day is down to the chairlift. This is a mountain for those who like their runs steeper and deeper, with an impressive mix of intermediate, advanced and expert terrain as well as a separate beginners' area. For something truly unique, take a husky sled dog tour of the backcountry trails before bar-hopping in nearby Dinner Plain.
Melburnians love Mount Buller, with 80km (49mi) of beginner to advanced trails and the largest lift network in Victoria – enough to keep your thighs burning all day! Many of Australia’s winter Olympians ski here and you can sometimes see them in action at the resort's competitive events. When it's time for a break, take your pick of restaurants and après bars.
