Looking for activities to make your Aussie winter ski trip extra special? There’s plenty more to do on our slopes than a scenic chairlift ride.

By Ashlea Wheeler

There are plenty of places to enjoy snow in Australia - some of the major destinations include the peaks of the Australian Alps like Perisher, Thredbo, Charlotte Pass, Mt Hotham, Falls Creek, Mt Buller, Selwyn, and Mt Baw Baw. Australia's ski resorts receive their fair share of skiiers and snowboarders each winter season (June to August), but these sparkling white landscapes offer a much wider range of snow-themed activities for those looking for adventure, fun, or relaxation. Outside of the Snowy Mountains, you can also find a winter wonderland in Tasmania, where wildlife can be spotted in the snow, or in the Blue Mountains where you can curl up in front of the fire to celebrate Yulefest.

Discover some of our favourite ways to enjoy Australia's snow season.

Snowmobiling

An exciting way to see the best of Australia’s spectacular winter landscapes is via snowmobile. At Falls Creek you can do a snowmobile tour with one adult driver and one passenger (adult or child) per vehicle. Tours explore the back country of the high plains, which provide magnificent views of the surrounding ranges. If the kids want their very own snowmobile experience, Mt Hotham offers children 5-14 years old a turn at riding their own kid-sized vehicle. These miniature snowmobiles are guaranteed fun for the 15-minute rides around Snow Stuff Park.

Dog sledding

The thrill of being pulled through a sparkling white landscape by a team of Siberian Huskies is entirely unique. Snuggle up under layers of thick blankets while the dogs run ahead through the snow. Howling Huskys dog sled tours at Mt Hotham range from 30 minutes to just over an hour and will take you through the pristine wilderness of Alpine National Park. All tours include 15 minutes of cuddles with the friendly team of dogs. Tours at Mt Baw Baw range from 30 minutes to five hours and take you through various back country trails. For a special treat, choose a sunset tour where you’ll be handed a glass of wine to watch the sun set peacefully over the blanketed white mountain tops. Australian Sleddog Tours offer trips at Mt Buller ranging from 30 minutes to 3.5 hours, some of which allow you to have a turn at driving the sled with a hands-on introduction to handling a team of huskies.

Tobogganing

A toboggan is a small sled used for sliding down slopes, and they are a classic way to enjoy the snow in Australia. Alpine parks with toboggan facilities include Selwyn Snow Resort in New South Wales, and Mt Buller, Mt Baw Baw, and Falls Creek in Victoria. These parks have dedicated slopes in their snowplay areas where you can rent a toboggan for endless fun.

Tubing

Fun for all ages, tubing is one of the most exhilarating winter activities. There are tube parks at Falls Creek, Perisher, and Selwyn where you can purchase single rides or bulk rides, or get timed use of the tubes. Once you have your inflatable donut, get ready to slide, spin, or bounce your way downhill. 

Wildlife spotting

Winter is a great chance to spot some of Australia’s native wildlife as they roam the land even in these cooler conditions, and the place to do so is at Cradle Mountain in Tasmania. Its snow-capped peaks and snow-frolicking wombats are an impressive sight synonymous with winter in Tasmania. Adventure seekers can take in the wildlife intimately by lacing up their hiking boots and setting foot on the Overland Track with Tasmanian Expeditions or with TAS Walking Co who offer a six-day walk. Ben Lomond National Park is Tasmania’s premier ski resort, and another hotspot – or should we say ‘coldspot’ – for sighting Bennett’s wallabies and wombats. They are both regularly seen in the ski village, even under blizzard conditions.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing isn’t just for hardcore adventure seekers – this spellbinding activity is possible for all ages and fitness levels. Hire snowshoes from ski rental stores then take off to explore the mountains at their peak winter beauty. Mt Hotham has 35 kilometres (22 miles) of trails that you can make your way along, many of which provide stunning alpine views. If you’d prefer a guided tour, Mt Buller offer Yeti Snowshoe Tours during the day or at twilight, Falls Creek have the option of doing a Nordic Snowshoe Tour for a perfect introduction to snowshoeing, or Thredbo have Snowshoe Tours that can take you as far as the peak of Mount Kosciusko.

Fat Biking

Yes, it’s possible to ride a bicycle on snow. Special bikes with fat tyres (appropriately named Fat Bikes) are similar to mountain bikes and are the latest trend in snow adventure activities. At Falls Creek, you can rent these Fat Bikes and take them out on the snowshoe/biking trails for a day of exploration along the pretty white mountainside.

Alpine glamping

Alpine Nature Experience at Mt Hotham offers a wilderness retreat with a difference. After snowshoeing through the gum trees to your secluded camping location, you’ll be presented with a cheese fondue on arrival before spending the night in a luxury snow-dome tent complete with a wood fire to keep you cosy. Cover yourself in the layers of thick blankets provided then wake up to the sounds of nature and hopefully the dustings of a fresh snowfall. A weekend in the alps doesn’t get more romantic than this. 

Winter festivals

Australia’s colder destinations come alive in winter, with an array of festivals taking place over the snow season. Peak Festival at Perisher is the only music festival in the Snowy Mountains, and it kicks off every June at the beginning of ski season. It includes four days of music with some of Australia’s best artists, and tickets include unlimited chairlift rides and one evening of free night skiing. Other wonderful winter festivals around Australia include Yulefest in the Blue Mountains, DARK MOFO in Hobart, Winter Wonderlights in Sovereign Hill, and Bathurst Winter Festival in Bathurst. While these destinations aren’t guaranteed to get snow, they celebrate the colder months with various winter-themed festivities including special art installations, music and entertainment, and Christmas in July decorations.