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.
By Rachael Oakes-Ash and Carly Spek
As winter descends on Australia, the country's ski fields open for (snow) business. Here is our guide to where you can hit the slopes in New South Wales and Victoria – and what to expect when you get there.
Thredbo
Thredbo Alpine Village, Snowy Mountains, New South Wales © Thredbo
Where: Snowy Mountains, New South Wales
Whether you're up for zipping down Australasia’s longest ski run, cruising intermediate slopes or finding your feet in the beginner's area, Thredbo has it all. Wine and dine on the mountain at Kareela Hutte or Merritts Mountain House, or explore the shopping and dining on offer in the ski village. Après the nights away at Alpine Bar - or enjoy relaxing nights in at cosy accommodation options like The Eastern or The Denman.
Perisher Ski Resort
Smiggins Hole, Perisher, New South Wales © Destination New South Wales
Where: Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales
If you like your ski resorts big, then Perisher is for you. The resort boasts the largest resort 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 favourite options the Marritz Hotel, or The Man From Snowy River Hotel. Many skiers opt to stay in nearby Jindabyne, where you'll find classic country pubs, a range of restaurants and a welcoming, laid-back vibe.
Falls Creek Alpine Resort
Falls Creek, Victoria © Falls Creek
Where: Alpine National Park, Victoria
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, 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 your fix of après.
Top tip
Experience the best of Hotham and Falls Creek with a Heli-Link day trip!
Mount Hotham
Hotham Alpine Resort, Mt Hotham, Victoria © Hotham Alpine Resort
Where: Hotham Heights, Victoria
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.
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Mount Buller Alpine Resort
Mount Buller, High Country, Victoria © Tony Harrington/Mt Buller
Where: High Country, Victoria
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, feast on pizza at Breathtaker Hotel, dress up for a meal at Signature Restaurant or ski in for après with the locals at Snow Pony.
