The temperatures are dropping and the slopes of our highest mountains are starting to turn white, which means it’s the perfect time to plan a ski trip. Whether you’re a beginner or a more advanced skier or snowboarder, you’ll find your ideal getaway here. Ready to shred?
Skiing in Victoria
There are plenty of reasons to make the Victorian Alps your snow spot of choice. If you love the idea of being able to ski from your room straight to the slopes, then Falls Creek’s ski-in, ski-out village is for you. In fact, whatever you want from your snow break, Falls Creek probably has you covered. Its 450 hectares of rideable terrain have a total of 90 runs and offer cross-country as well as downhill skiing, snowboarding and tobogganning and terrain parks. Other highlights include the thrill of night skiing, the wide array of restaurants and weekly family-friendly fireworks.
Expert skiers will love Mt Hotham, where about 40% of the mountain has been designated as ‘advanced’. If the 320 hectares of groomed runs aren’t enough for you, it also offers Australia’s best tree-skiing, with a handy snowmobile service to get you out there quicker. But Hotham is also a great destination for beginners, thanks to its terrific learn-to-ski program. And if you love après-ski, the superb restaurants and bars are an attraction in their own right.
With more than 80 kilometres of quality runs, skiers are in no danger of getting bored at Mt Buller. Snowboarders are equally well catered for, with three terrain parks bursting with different jumps and rails and there are also a couple of toboggan tracks. There’s lots of off-piste action, too, with a trampoline park, a sculpture trail, Australia’s highest cinema and a spa.
Skiing in NSW
Each ski area in New South Wales has its own personality. Thredbo, with its Tyrolean-inspired village, is known for having the longest ski and snowboard runs in the country, with the Village Trail stretching an amazing five kilometres. It also has the steepest terrain and the highest lifted point in Australia, but that doesn’t mean it’s for advanced skiers only: the ski school is excellent. Looking for an adventure? Book a backcountry or snowshoe tour.
The numbers tell the story: Perisher is huge. Australia’s biggest snow destination has four separate ski resorts, 1,214 hectares of skiable area, seven peaks, five terrain parks, a halfpipe and loads of cross-country trails. It even has its own train, the Skitube, that takes you from Bullocks Flat to Perisher Valley and Blue Cow. If you’re bringing the kids, head straight for Smiggin Holes, a long-time family favourite.
On the map, it’s not that far from Perisher Valley, but in winter, getting to Australia’s highest (and oldest) ski resort, Charlotte Pass, is an adventure. The uncrowded spot is snowbound, which means visitors have to take the Oversnow, a vehicle specially designed to tackle the local terrain. The reward for the trip – apart from the enthralling Alpine scenery – is the chance to ski some of the best snow in the mountains.
International ski spots
If you’ve really caught the ski bug, these famous overseas hotspots will make the perfect end-of-year snow adventure.
New Zealand
If your idea of a perfect day is one spent slaloming down long, steep slopes, Treble Cone is the place to go. Just half an hour from the buzzing town of Wanaka, Treble Cone is the largest ski area on the South Island and is ideal for intermediate and advanced skiers, with only 10% of the slopes designated for beginners. An added bonus: the off-piste terrain is some of the best in the country.
Nowhere on the South Island gets bigger dumps of snow – or more spectacular views – than Mt Hutt, about 90 minutes out of Christchurch, and every level of skier is catered to here, from novices to pros. No wonder this popular ski resort – which has the island’s highest ski areas – has been voted the best in New Zealand eight years in a row. Snowboarders will love the five freestyle parks, while those wanting to make it really memorable should try out heliskiing (downhill skiing on remote, off-trail mountains reached by helicopter).
Even if your friends are much more experienced (or vice versa), ski trips can still be great fun. You just need to pick a resort that caters to all levels, and Cardrona, halfway between Queenstown and Wanaka, fits the bill. Known for having the most reliable snow conditions in the region, the resort has lots of options for beginners, and half of its 400 hectares are designated as advanced territory, so everyone can have a fantastic day out.
Aspen Snowmass, Colorado, USA
There’s a new reason to visit this famed Colorado resort spread over four areas: Aspen Snowmass recently expanded its skiable area by 20%. So, whether you’re a newbie heading for Snowmass or a more advanced skier lured by the trails around Aspen Mountain, you’ll find lots of room to spread out – not to mention one of the world’s most famous après-ski scenes.
Mammoth Mountain, California, USA
If you love snowboarding, follow your bliss to Mammoth Mountain. The resort has no fewer than 10 terrain parks, 50 jumps and two halfpipes across its 1,420-hectare site. Snowfall averages almost nine metres, and with 28 lifts, queuing is not an issue.
Niseko, Japan
Niseko on the island of Hokkaido is Japan’s most famous ski resort, renowned for its light powder snow and backcountry access. You can buy a lift pass that covers the four main resorts – Hanazono, Hirafu, Niseko Village and Annupuri – which have a combined total of 47 kilometres of groomed slopes.
Whistler Blackcomb, Canada
Taken together, the neighbouring mountains of Whistler and Blackcomb offer the largest ski area in North America. Enjoy an average 12-metre snowfall, 200 marked runs and more than 3,300 hectares of terrain including three glaciers.
Cervinia, Italy
Can’t get off work in time? Cervinia is known for its long ski season (typically between late October and early May) and its 150 kilometres of trails. Need another reason to visit?
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