Sky in Australia
Winter in the Snowy Mountains is something special. Enjoy the crisp air, touch your first snow or try skiing or snowboarding, over 1 million people visit the Snowies each winter so you are not the first!
The Australian Alps are amongst some of the oldest snow covered alpine landscapes in the world and the twisted snow gums that feature during winter are spectacular. The Snowy Mountains offer four great winter resort experiences, each with its own character and appeal.
The NSW Snowy Mountains 4 winter resorts offer something for everyone. Perisher is the largest resort, Thredbo has the longest run, Charlotte Pass is only accessed by oversnow transport and Selwyn Snowfields is a fun family resort.
Perisher is Australia's most popular snow holiday destination. Located in the picturesque Kosciuszko National Park in South Eastern NSW, it's vast expanse makes it the Southern Hemisphere's biggest alpine resort. Its varied terrain is suitable for all ages and ability levels from first timers right up to experts.
Thredbo - Australian Ski Resort (1365m to 1930m)
A year-round holiday destination with some of the country's longest and steepest trails, and housing the Australian Institute of Sport's Alpine Training Centre since October 1996. Thredbo has the largest snow making system in the southern hemisphere and Australia's highest peak, Mt Kosciusko (2228m), is accessible in summer on a 4 - 6 hour walk (round trip).
Charlotte Pass Ski Resort is situated in the heart of the NSW Snowy Mountains, with all accommodation and facilities ski-in ski-out. Completely snowbound at the top of Australia, Charlotte Pass is only accessible by Oversnow Transport.
As Australia's highest resort, Charlotte Pass Ski Resort receives some of the most consistent snowfalls delivering the best quality natural snow.
Whether you're a beginner testing out your snow legs on Easy Starter, an intermediate carving up Kosi Coaster, an experienced skier looking for adventure on Sidewinder or a hardcore rider after an adrenalin rush at Guthrie's Chutes... The Pass has it all!
With a broad range of accommodation options, reliable snow cover as well as exciting on and off snow features, Charlotte Pass Ski Resort offers a unique snow experience that is unlike any other.
Over the last 40 years Selwyn Snowfields has grown from a primitive one lift operation to a sophisticated resort with 11 lifts, food and retail outlets, a ski & clothing hire centre, specialised snow sports school programs, a top of the range snow making system that covers 80% of the mountain and top class facilities that can cater for up to 2000 people every day. With over 60% of the leased terrain still undeveloped, the future for Selwyn Snowfields is very exciting and open to many possibilities. Just imagine what improvements we all might see over the next 40 years...
Skiing and snowboarding is great fun and although it might look complicated if you have never done it before, it's surprisingly easy if you have a lesson!
Nothing is more exhilarating than sliding down a mountain. If you've never done it before, you owe it to yourself to give it a try!
The Victoria ski resorts are spread in a relatively wide area northeast of Melbourne around the Alpine and Mt Buffalo national parks.
At Falls Creek, a 375-kilometre drive from Melbourne, you can ski out from the lodge straight to the ski lifts and the slopes. Some of the country’s best cross-country skiing can also be found here.
Lake Mountain
The closest to Melbourne, after Mt Donna Buang (which is mainly for sightseeing and tobogganing), is Lake Mountain which is known as Australia's premier cross-country ski resort and the third most visited cross-country alpine resort in the world. Lake Mountain is some 120 kilometres from the heart of Melbourne and is reached through the town of Marysville.
The relatively small Mt Baw Baw resort, which is 173 kilometres east of the Victorian capital and reached through the town of Noojee, is said to be a popular destination for day-trippers and an ideal place to learn to ski. Close to Melbourne, it has a village atmosphere and a large number of club lodges.
Mt Buffalo, which is the closest to the Victoria-New South Wales border at Albury, through Wangaratta, is another area popular with families. Its slopes range from gentle, and ideal for beginner skiers, through to fun intermediate areas, with just a couple of advanced areas to keep skiers, including cross-country skiers, challenged.
Mt Buller, less than three hours from Melbourne, is probably the most popular of the Victoria ski resorts. The disadvantage in its popularity is that it gets quite crowded at the height of the ski season. Three hours' drive from Melbourne.
Mt Hotham, five and a half hours away from the capital, is Victoria's highest ski resort. In northeast Victoria at the heart of the Great Alpine Road region, it offers Alpine skiing, snow boarding, dining, accommodation. There is off-piste skiing in narrow valleys as well as challenging cross-country. The nearest airport is at Hotham for those who wish to fly.
Other skifields
Other Victorian skifields are at Mt Bogong, Mt St Gwinear, Mt Stirling, and Mt Donna Buang which is less than 100 kilometres from Melbourne.
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