7 Of Our Favourite Aussie Ski Resorts To Visit This Winter

It was only a few weeks back when we were sitting around, chatting over puzzles and via zoom meetings, discussing life’s big issues. Like, when will we be able to leave our house for non-essential socialising; when will you finally be able to wear those boots you nabbed in last year’s end of season sales; and, what about our annual ski trip?! 

Well good news folks, we are going from iso to ‘ice… ohhhhh yeah!’ and it's happening this year. We might not be able to explore Whistler’s backcountry or shred the slopes in Japan for a while, but as they say, the snow must go on! 

Australia is opening up its ski resorts for the 2020 season, so we’ve got seven of our favourite Aussie spots lined up ready for you. Here are all the details you’ll need to know, to plan where to take your perfect homegrown snow holiday this year. 

Perisher,  Kosciuszko National Park, NSW

• Drive time from closest cities: 2.5 hours from Canberra, 5-6 hours from Sydney and about 7 hours from Melbourne
• Alpine Village: Yes, small. Closest town is Jindabyne.
• Is it ‘ski-in ski-out’?: Yes
• Skiable terrain: 1,245 hectares
• Run Split: 22% beginner, 60% intermediate, 18% advanced

Perisher, only the biggest snow destination in the Southern Hemisphere, is packed full of runs across diverse terrain for all levels, styles and groups. It offers night skiing on select days of the week, and has the skitube alpine railway which is handy to help avoid icy roads between the slopes and the resorts. Theski village in Perisher is small, but it does have a wide range of accommodation options including self-sufficient lodges that contain their own restaurants and bars, and a family friendly resort, complete with tobogganing and tubing facilities. It also boasts a range of activities off the slopes, making it an ideal snow spot for families. 

Thredbo Alpine Resort, Kosciuszko National Park, NSW

• Drive time from closest cities: 2.5 hours from Canberra, 5-6 hours from Sydney
• Alpine Village: Yes and closest town is Jindabyne
• Is it ‘ski-in ski-out’?: yes
• Skiable terrain: 480 hectares
• Run split: 16% beginner, 67% intermediate, 17% advanced

Bring your party shoes boys and girls, because Thredbo boasts a great atmosphere, a bustling European-style ski village and some insane vertical runs. In fact, it is home to the longest ski run in Australia, the five kilometer long Crackenback Super Trail, and the country's highest lifted point, Karel's T-Bar, at 2,037 metres high. It’s also known for its off-piste action, making it popular for thrill seekers in particular. The village has a great food and bar scene plus there are a good range of ski-in ski-out restaurants on the mountains. 

Charlotte Pass, Kosciuszko National Park, NSW

• Drive time from closest cities: 3 hours from Canberra, 6 hours from Sydney
• Alpine Village: Yes, small. Closest town is Jindabyne.
• Is it ‘ski-in ski-out’?: yes
• Skiable terrain: 50 hectares
• Run split: 33% beginner, 29% intermediate, 38% advanced

If you’re after a more boutique snow experience, Charlotte Pass might be the spot for you. It’s one of the smaller resorts, with only five lifts, so it doesn’t attract the crowds like some of NSW’s other ski fields. It’s also Australia’s only snowbound resort, meaning you can’t drive yourself there via road; you have to catch an over-snow ski cat from the Perisher Valley Skitube Terminal. It is completely ski-in ski-out, so you can avoid lugging your equipment to and from the slopes. It’s Australia's highest resort, so the snowfall is pretty reliable, and did we mention the super cute Charlotte Pass Village? 

Mt. Buller, VIC

• Drive time from closest city: 3 hours from Melbourne
• Alpine Village: Yes
• Is it ‘ski-in ski-out’?: yes
• Skiable terrain: 300 hectares
• Run split: 20% beginner, 45% intermediate, 35% advanced

One of the best things about Mount Buller is how easily accessible it is if you’re a Melbournite. It’s close enough that you make a day trip out of it, if you’re up for the early start. The runs are most ideal for experienced, intermediate and advanced skiers and boarders. The north side of the mountain is full of enjoyable blue runs for intermediates, while the south side boasts plenty of black runs for the more advanced to shred. For something a little more indulgent (or after a day on said black runs) guests can visit Australia’s highest day spa, or hit up the decent food and bar scene.

Mt. Hotham, Australian Alps National Park, VIC

• Drive time from closest city: 4.5 hours from Melbourne
• Alpine Village: Yes
• Is it ‘ski-in ski-out’?: yes
• Skiable terrain: 320 hectares
• Run split: 20% beginner, 40% intermediate, 40% advanced

Being Victoria’s highest snow resort, located in the picturesque Australian Alps, Mount Hotham boasts some pretty spectacular vistas and decent snow dumps (#freshpow). There is plenty to do both on and off the slopes like snowmobile explorations through the backcountry, an on-snow day spa, some pretty hectic black runs and Dinner Plain, the quaint neighbouring village just 10 kilometers away where you’ll find luxury hotels and an outdoor onsen. This resort isn’t bombarded by crowds and is known for having some of the best ski-in ski-out accommodation in Australia. If you’re planning a mini break with a few friends, or a romantic snow escape, this resort might be the one for you. 

Falls Creek, Alpine National Park, VIC 

• Drive time from closest city: 5 hours from Melbourne
• Alpine Village: Yes
• Is it ‘ski-in ski-out’?: yes
• Skiable terrain: 450 hectares
• Run split: 17% beginner, 60% intermediate, 23% advanced

Spread across 450 hectares, Falls Creek is Victoria’s largest ski resort with over 90 runs and 15 lifts to get you to them, most of which are ideal for the beginner to intermediate among us. It’s known for having some of the best cross-country trails in Australia, with 65 kilometres of it to explore, and has the prettiest alpine village you ever will see. Accommodation wise, there is a really good range of ski-in ski-out options, and it generally doesn’t get quite as busy as some of the other resorts, making it a great option for beginners and families. 

Ben Lomond, TAS

• Drive time from closest city: 3 hours from Hobart, 1 hour from Launceston 
• Alpine Village: Yes
• Is it ‘ski-in ski-out’?: yes
• Skiable terrain: 40 hectares
• Run split: 40% beginner, 50% intermediate, 10% advanced

It may come as a surprise to some that Tasmania isn’t really considered a ski destination, especially being our southernmost and therefore coldest state. Though we couldn’t possibly write about ski resorts without including the Apple Isle, as it does have the very laid back and picturesque Ben Lomond resort. It is a bit of a journey to get there, sitting at the end of a twisting, turning long and narrow road, so definitely one for the adventurous type. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle from the Parks and Wildlife Service, but either way it’s the only resort accessible by car in Tasmania. Once you’re there you’ll be surrounded by incredible scenery, friendly hospitality and rustic facilities, tobogganing and great slopes for beginners. It’s a family run resort, so does have limited accommodation but if you’re in Tassie and looking for something a little different, it’s worth checking out.