The best ski resorts in Australia

Thredbo, New South Wales

Six hours south of Sydney lies Thredbo, a ski mountain for those who like longer runs, ski-in/ski-out accommodation and a thriving après scene.

Australasia’s longest ski run, the Thredbo Supertrail, will get your thighs burning down 5.9 kilometres (3.7 miles) of groomed snow. Advanced skiers can try The Bluff on a powder day or head out to Dead Horse Gap for some backcountry skiing. Intermediates will love The Cruiser area and High Noon, while beginners have their own dedicated ski area complete with chairlift. Ski into Kareela Hutte for a long European-style lunch or try Merritts Mountain House for a quick fuel stop before hitting the slopes again.

Sign up for the flare run, a weekly event every Saturday night when ski instructors and guests ski after dark from the mountain peak to the village base. When your thighs can’t take skiing any more, hit up the village for a signature gourmet burger at Cascades, made with bone marrow butter and truffle. For live music and a nightcap of mulled wine, head to Schuss Bar, or party the night away at Thredbo's only après venue, Mumm Alpine Bar. 

After an action-packed day on the slopes and night on the town,  you'll be truly ready to rest your weary body, and there's no better place than The Eastern. A pair of luxury Airbnb apartments in Thredbo Village with spectacular views of the mountain. The Denman is another cosy and convenient accommodation in the heart of town. 

Perisher, New South Wales

If you like your ski resorts big, then Perisher is for you. The resort boasts the largest resort terrain in Australasia, with more than 1,200 hectares (2,965 acres) of skiable goodness. Perisher is also six hours south of Sydney and can be accessed by car from the lakeside resort town of Jindabyne, or via the Skitube from nearby Lake Crackenback Resort.

You can stay on-mountain at Perisher, but there is no central ski village so you’ll have to make your own fun with fellow lodge guests over an in-house dinner. Some favourite accommodation options include the Marritz Hotel, or The Man From Snowy River Hotel.

Perisher is part of the Vail Resorts Epic Pass – international travellers who ski at a Vail Resort in North America can ski for free if they have an Epic Pass. Skiers of varying ability will enjoy Perisher’s rolling slopes. If your kids love the terrain park, even better. Perisher has some of the best terrain parks in the country and many Olympic and X Games skiers and boarders train here.

Falls Creek, Victoria

The prettiest ski field in Australia is only four and a half hours from Melbourne or two hours from Albury airport. Falls Creek is a pedestrian-only ski village, where all the accommodation, dining and snow activities are literally ski-in/ski-out, so take your après boots.

The largest ski resort in Victoria, Falls Creek is also great for families, with a thriving ski school and the sweetest child-dedicated runs through magical forests. Some 450 hectares (1,111 acres) are dedicated to skiing and snowboarding, with 92 named runs. If you fancy a bit more adventure, take a Steve Lee Backcountry Tour. Jump on a purpose-built sled behind a snowmobile as the Australian Olympian takes you to fresh powder snow to ski or board.

Unwind with a ski recovery massage at SpaQ, then try Elk for hearty fare beside a roaring fire, Astra Lodge for European-style après, and QT Hotel for ski-in/ski-out hot dogs from the Kran-Ski Stand.

Hotham, Victoria

The ski village at Mount Hotham is perched on top of the mountain rather than at the base. This means your first ski of the day is down to the chairlift. It also means you’re sleeping high above the clouds in hotels and lodges with a real alpine feel. Hotham, as it’s known, is the sister mountain to Falls Creek and also a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Melbourne. If you fancy experiencing Falls Creek while you’re at Hotham, the two resorts have a day-return Heli-Link, so you can stay at one and ski the other.

This is a mountain for those who like their runs steeper and deeper, with an impressive mix of intermediate, advanced and expert terrain. Try Mary’s Slide for boasting rights. The beginners’ area here is separate to the rest of the hill, with a dedicated chairlift and kids’ ski school. And for something truly unique, take a husky sled dog tour of the backcountry trails. 

Hotham is also serviced by Dinner Plain, a purpose-built village 15 minutes down the road, full of bars and restaurants. Make the trip here for a traditional onsen spa treatment, the perfect antidote for a gruelling day on the slopes. Then tuck in for the night at Pegasus Alpine Club, a family-friendly lodge with incredible views over the mountain.   

Mount Buller, Victoria

Melburnians love Mount Buller and its proximity to the city, just over three hours away. With more than 300 hectares (741 acres) of skiable terrain, some 80 kilometres (49 miles) of marked trails, and the largest lift network in Victoria. There’s enough to keep your thighs burning all day, with a decent mix of beginner to advanced slopes.

This is the home of many of Australia’s Winter Olympians and the resort regularly holds competitive events including the ABOM Moguls, so you may witness the world’s best while you’re here. The kids will love the dog sledding – strapped into a traditional sled with a team of racing huskies taking them for a winter wonderland ride.

Feast on pizza at Breathtaker Hotel's on site pizzeria, or dress up for a meal at Signature Restaurant just next door. Ski in for après at Snow Pony with the locals and don’t leave without at least one dance at the famed Kooroora Hotel. Bunker down for the night at Breathtaker Hotel & Spa, or Mt Buller Chalet, located in the heart of the village.