Australia may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about skiing. But this sun-drenched country actually has somte extremely popular ski resorts, with the mountainous areas of Victoria and New South Wales, commonly known as the Australian Alps, providing some excellent skiing. Perisher in New South Wales, for example, is one of the largest ski resorts in the Southern Hemisphere.
In this Remitly guide, we’ll take a look at Australia’s main resorts, and offer some tips for planning your trip, and staying safe.
Weather and snowy conditions
Conditions can vary during Australia’s ski season, partly because its average altitude is lower than North American or European resorts. Temperatures range between -3°C and 4°C in winter, with natural snowfall typically between one and two metres at the resorts.
The most popular resorts use snowmaking technology to address this irregular weather to ensure constant coverage on the main runs, even when the conditions aren’t favourable. But for natural snow, the best conditions are usually encountered between July and early September.
Accessibility and transport options
The sheer size of Australia often takes visitors and newcomers by surprise. It’s a huge country, with many of the main places to visit separated by enormous distances that mean you have to fly.
With that in mind, it can take anywhere from two to six hours to drive from major Australian cities to the most popular ski resorts. For example, it takes about five hours to drive from Sydney to Perisher and Thredbo, while if you’re in Melbourne, you can get to the Victorian resorts in around three to four hours.
Lately, there’s been improved access to chain-free alpine roads, but snow chains are still a requirement if you’re going to drive when there’s been heavy snowfall. Most of the main resorts, or the territories’ tourism pages, have information on how to reach them on public transport:
Australia’s top-rated ski resorts
There’s something for every skier Down Under, from complete newbies to experienced veterans. There’s plenty to keep young ones entertained too, and the main resorts offer some excellent drinking and dining options.
Perisher
Found in Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales, Perisher covers 1,245 hectares and might be Australia’s best-known ski resort. Comprising four villages; Perisher Valley, Guthega, Smiggin Holes, and Blue Cow, there are 240 snow guns and 47 lifts for ample snow cover on a variety of runs for skiers at all levels.
Perisher’s accommodation options are plentiful, with hotels, lodges, and self-contained apartments to suit various budgets, and ample bars and restaurants.
The Perisher Snowsports School offers lessons for adults and kids, including cross-country skiing. You’ll also find the Skitube, the only alpine railway in the country; it gets you from Bullocks Flat to Perisher Valley in only 10 minutes.
Charlotte Pass
Charlotte Pass in New South Wales is Australia’s oldest, most secluded and highest ski resort, at 1,765 metres. It occupies 10 kilometres of slopes with five lifts and 19 runs. Noted for its ski-in, ski-out lodging options—including Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel, Lucy Lodge, and Stillwell Hotel—there are dining options from haute cuisine to more casual fare.
Ski school lessons are available for anyone, from beginner to advanced skiers. Equipment rentals provide ski, pole, and boot hire at a resort that’s renowned as quiet and uncrowded because if its inaccessibility. You can only get to Charlotte Pass using oversnow transport, and it offers some absolutely spectacular views of Mount Kosciuszko.
Thredbo
Thredbo is another of Kosciuszko National Park’s well-known resorts, with 52 km of slopes over 480 hectares, including Australia’s longest run (5.9 km). Thredbo boasts the highest ski-lift-accessible point in the country, at 2,037 m.
As you’d expect at a resort that has frequently been voted Australia’s best, accommodation and dining options are wide and varied, and there’s plenty of choice for ski and snowboard lessons to help beginners learn or polish their skills. The Friday Flat is an excellent area for newbies to get to grips with skiing.
Keep your eyes open for good deals at Thredbo, and don’t miss the high-speed Merritts Gondola, taking snowboarders, skiers, and scenic passengers from the village to the Cruiser Area in six minutes.
Falls Creek
Falls Creek is the largest ski area in Victoria. It occupies 450 hectares, with 15 lifts and 90 runs. 90% of its terrain is perfect for beginner and intermediate skiers.
As with the other resorts, accommodation options, food and drink and lessons are all plentiful, but there are some unique facilities at Falls Creek: the three terrain parks for freestyle and freeride skiing, a pedestrian-only alpine village, and access to Rocky Valley Lake for fans of summer activities.
Mount Buller
Mount Buller has 20 lifts that can move 40,000 people per hour, providing access to 300 hectares of terrain in a resort that’s ideal for beginners:
- Newbie-friendly terrain
Areas like Bourke Street are dedicated to beginners, with a broad, gentle slope for easy learning. They also have slow zones for beginners to learn at a comfortable pace. - Ski and snowboard lessons
Mount Buller’s ski and snowboard school offers private and group classes for everyone, encouraging confidence-building among novices. - Easy lift access
Even getting up to the nursery slopes can be a challenge if you’ve never used a ski lift before. Beginner-friendly lifts, such as the Bourke Street Express Chairlift, allow anybody who’s just starting out to get to the slopes easily. - Accessible location
Mount Buller is one of the closer resorts to a major city; it’s only a three-hour drive from Melbourne, making it accessible and suitable for short getaways and weekend trips if you’re not a hard-core skier.
The best time and season to travel
As we mentioned, Australia’s best skiing is usually between June and September, with peak snowfall between July and August.
But whenever there’s snow, the weekends will of course see more people flocking to the slopes than weekdays. So if you’re looking for a less overwhelming experience with fewer people, ski on weekdays if your working life allows you to.
Accommodation types at Australian ski resorts
Australia’s ski resorts have various accommodation options, including ski lodges, high-end hotels, furnished apartments, and budget-friendly hostels.
Some lodges have ski-in, ski-out features with direct slope access, but they may be pricier. Off-mountain lodges in adjacent areas can be cost-effective, but you may need a van to move around.
You’ll find chalets (rustic-style, wooden homes in snowy mountains) in most resorts, including Thredbo, Falls Creek, Charlotte Pass, and Mount Hotham. Chalets often provide self-catering, ski gear storage, and amenities for après-ski indulgence.
Whichever works best for you, these resorts are all popular so it’s best to secure your accommodation early; you’ll get better pricing and have more choice, the earlier you book it.
Preparing gear and essentials
Skiing can require a lot of stuff to guarantee an enjoyable and safe experience; a helmet, waterproof ski jacket and salopettes (ski pants), ski boots, socks, goggles, gloves, and thermal layers are all pretty much essential. And the skis themselves, of course.
Carrying all that around can be a pain, and many people choose to hire at least some of it. If you’re planning to do that, it’s best to book it in advance to avoid any chance of ending up without something important. Remember to carry hand warmers, drinking water, and snacks when you’re going to be out for extended periods of skiing.
Skiing in Australia: dos and don’ts
Dos
- Check the snow and weather conditions before skiing.
- Dress appropriately: wear layered clothing, waterproof clothes, goggles, gloves, and a helmet.
- Hydrate and use sunscreen to minimise the intense sun’s impact.
- Prioritise ski lessons if you’re new to help boost your confidence and safety.
- Select an accommodation service early: Australian ski resorts are usually busy during peak months.
- Stick to resort rules and signs: use the assigned trails and follow ski patrol regulations.
- Respect fellow skiers: observe the skiing code of behaviour. For example, yield to people in front of you.
Don’ts
- Don’t try something above your level skill and experience: stick to the slopes that suit your current ability.
- Don’t litter: take care of the surroundings by keeping the slopes tidy and taking your rubbish with you. And we can’t stress enough how important it is to respect Australia’s strong environmental and wildlife laws—messing with these can have serious consequences.
- Don’t drink before skiing: drinking can hinder your decision-making and response time, leading to injuries. Keep the drinks for après-ski.
- Don’t forget your safety gear.
- Don’t go off-piste for the sake of it: veering off to non-designated trails may be risky. It’s strictly for experienced skiers, and only where it’s permitted. If you’re going off-piste, consider hiring a local guide—they’ll know the good spots and where it’s safe.
- Don’t come without travel insurance. It’ll come in handy to cover cancelled bookings, medical expenses, or lost gear.
Enjoy your skiing experience in Australia
Consider which of Australia’s ski resorts match your experience level. Beginners can go with Thredbo, Falls Creek, or Mount Buller, while intermediate and advanced skiers will probably enjoy any of the most popular resorts. We’ll see you slopeside!
FAQs
Which resort is best for beginners?
Falls Creek and Perisher are two of the best resorts for beginners. They have a range of beginner slopes and schools to get anyone started. Falls Creek has wide-open areas for beginners to practice freely, while Perisher has a lot of instructors and some awesome beginners’ schools.
Thredbo or Perisher for beginners?
Thredbo and Perisher are two of the most popular ski resorts in Australia and it’s hard to pick one. As a beginner you need to consider that Perisher offers a range of easy-access, low-gradient runs while Thredbo slopes can be steeper in certain parts. If you’ve never tried skiing, it’s best to go to Perisher, but if you’ve tried it a few times you can choose either resort.
What are the best months for skiing in Australia?
The best months for skiing in Australia are July and August. It’s during these two months that the snow conditions are at their peak and almost all resorts operate at full capacity. That means you have access to more slopes.