Your Guide To Australia’s Best Snow Mountains
Unlike its small southern counterpart New Zealand, Australia isn't exactly known for its snow. Beaches? Check. Kangaroos? Yup. Rugged coastlines? Of course! But sometimes the best things in life (and snow) aren’t highly advertised.
Australia does, believe it or not, have great snow and some great mountain terrain on offer. Tons of untouched backcountry, four major resorts, runs for all skill levels, and an après scene that would give Whistler a run for its money. Let us give you a brief rundown of everything you need to know about where to go and how to get the best snow you can for your skill level…
Mountain: Perisher
What it's known for: Perisher is, by far, the biggest mountain resort in Australia. Spread between two different mountains, the main Perisher resort and it’s smaller sister resort Blue Cow, you can spend all day on snow without hitting the same run twice. But, be prepared to do some serious traversing!
How to get there: Perisher is the closest mountain to Sydney, an easy five-hour drive from the CBD to the mountain parking lot. It’s also extremely close to Canberra, so if you're in a rush we recommend booking a quick flight to Australia's capital, renting a car and getting up to the snow just over two hours after leaving the airport.
Skill level: This is a great mountain if you're travelling with people of all ages and skill levels. From beginner slopes to advanced terrain, there's something for everyone. If you're a beginner we recommend staying on the main Perisher mountain, and for anyone feeling a bit adventurous head over to Blue Cow on the train – it only takes about five minutes.
Park: Perisher Park is the largest terrain park in the country, and if you’re into jibs and jumps, it's the place to be in New South Wales.
Price tag: It’s $161 a day for an adult, $89 per day for a child and $129 for a 65+ y/o. If you buy online before you go, you’ll grab an 11-12% discount. And anything more than one day, you’re guaranteed to save some dollars!
Accom: If you're looking in the top end of accommodation, check out the on-mountain accom at Perisher Ski Resort. If you'd like to opt into something a bit more budget-conscious, there are tons of lodges at the base of the mountain in a town called Jindabyne. Jindy is also where a lot of the night life is for Perisher.
Après: The après scene for Perisher is mostly based in Jindabyne, however a cheeky few beers on-mountain throughout the day never hurt anybody. Once the sun sets head down into town and, on a Saturday night, check out the live music and dancefloor at The Banjo. Dinner ain't bad, either!
Mountain: Thredbo
What it's known for: Most mountains in Australia have, by comparison to the rest of the world, very short runs. Thredbo is the one exception to that. Steep and long, Thredbo is the place to get those legs burning.
How to get there: About an hour away from Perisher, Thredbo has the same access points – a six-hour drive from Sydney, a three-hour drive from Canberra. However unlike Perisher, the town at Thredbo is directly at the base of the mountain – once you’re on hill chances are you won’t touch the steering wheel again!
Skill level: Thredbo does offer easy slopes for beginners, as well as lessons, but it's a mountain more suited to those who know what they're doing… at least a little bit.
Park: The terrain parks at Thredbo aren’t huge… but that’s not what you go there for. This mountain is made for turns, not jumps. However if you’re a park rat, you’ll find your fair share of jibs and jumps…
Price tag: Thredbo’s lift passes are broken down by age this year. If you are:
5-12 years old – $79 per day
13-17 years old – $89 per day
18-21 years old – $129 per day
22-64 years old – $149 per day
65 years or older – $79
Accom: The Thredbo village is directly at the base of the mountain and is quite small, so if everything's booked out things can get exxy. If you don't mind dropping some coin, stay at the mountain accommodation – otherwise check lodges like the YHA or AirBnBs.
Après: As luck would have it, there is literally an après bar in Thredbo called Après Bar. It's nice… go there! The Village also has a host of festivals and live music, so keep your eye on the calendar and if you're after a bit of a party, plan your trip accordingly.
Mountain: Hotham
What it's known for: Hotham is known as the only mountain in Australia with truly double-black diamond terrain. It’s full of fun cat tracks and steep terrain, perfect for a more advanced skier or snowboarder. It’s got great snow, too, when the Victorian weather fronts turn on.
How to get there: Hotham is a five-hour straight shot drive from Melbourne, so the best way to access the mountain is to fly straight to Tullamarine, rent a car and punch it!
Skill level: Hotham is more suitable for medium-advanced skill levels, but it doesn't discriminate. If you're a beginner there are lessons and easier runs… just not as much variety as, say, Perisher.
Park: Like Thredbo, Hotham isn’t known for its park. It exists… but it’s more about slicing powder turns and racing down little cat tracks. If you’re chasing the park though, you will find plenty of bigger kickers and an array of rails at the top of the Summit chair.
Price tag: It’s $149 for an adult day pass, $83 for a child or a senior. Buy passes online and you’ll save… and anything more than one day, you’re guaranteed to spare some dollars!
Accom: Mt Hotham is a very unique setup, because the village is directly in the middle of the mountain. It’s the only mountain in Australia where you can walk out your door, strap in and hit a run… without even touching a lift. There are tons of apartments that you can rent at a reasonable price right on-snow… but if you’re on a tight budget you can also find accom at the base of the hill in Harrietville. It’s about a 45-minute drive up to the lifts from there.
Apres: Anywhere in the Hotham village is a good time, but we recommend a pub meal and a boogie at The General.
Mountain: Buller
What it's known for: Buller is the park mountain in Australia. It's not huge and it's not crazy steep, but it's fun as hell and there are tons of features to hit all over the joint.
How to get there: Mt Buller is the closest mountain to Melbourne by a country mile. A mere three-hour drive from the city it’s an easy day trip and a perfect weekend getaway. Once you drive up to the top of the mountain you’ll be ushered into a carpark where there are shuttles and taxis that take you up to the slopes… Mt Buller village is so small that parking is virtually non-existent, so they’ve figured out an easy and efficient system to make it work.
Skill level: There’s something for everyone here. Beginner terrain is easy to access, advanced terrain is out there if you’re willing to look, and for all those park rats… there are rails for days. There’s nothing too steep or dangerous on the main runs… however there is some steep and deep backcountry terrain, if you’ve got the skill and are daring enough!
Park: Yes. Lots. Good. Both advanced and beginner park features.
Price tag: For adults lift pass prices vary from $64 to $139, depending on the day and the time of the month. Check their online price calendar (https://www.inntopia.travel/ecomm/shop/calendar/6746917/en-AU/?productcategoryid=117) to find the price for your selected days – and make sure you buy online, because they usually charge full price on mountain. Any lift pass for more than one day, you’re guaranteed to save some dollars…
Accom: There are tons of lodges in the Mt Buller, ranging from budget to luxury. You'll definitely want to stay in the main village, so keep that in mind.
Après: The infamous Kooroora Hotel was recently renovated into an apartment building featuring a nightclub. If you want to dance, that’s the place to do it. If not, there are lots of places like The Birdcage, A-Bomb and Alpine Retreat.