Top 10 Rated Ski Resorts in Australia
Australia offers a unique skiing experience with classic Aussie scenery – schussing through snow gum forests is something you can only do on the slopes Down Under. Despite the country’s relatively modest peaks, Aussies love winter sports, and the nation has produced world class competitors, including snowboarder Torah Bright and aerial skier Alisa Camplin, both winter Olympic medalists. Most of the country’s ski areas snuggle in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales and the Victorian Alps and lie less than a day’s drive away from Sydney or Melbourne. Besides downhill skiing and snowboarding, the resorts usually offer tobogganing, tubing, terrain parks, cross country trails, and many also offer night skiing and extensive snowmaking capabilities.
Typically the ski season opens in early June and ends in late September. When planning a ski trip in Australia note that most of the resorts lie within national parks that require a daily entry fee. Also chains or 4WD vehicles are mandatory for access to most of the resorts. Finally, what Australia lacks in steeps and snowpack, it compensates for with a bubbly après ski vibe, so be sure to mingle with the friendly locals while you’re there.
10. Dinner Plain, Victoria
About 10 kilometers from Mt. Hotham, the charming alpine village of Dinner Plain is a fantastic option for beginner skiers as well as families who want a good-value base to ski Mt. Hotham. The resort hosts a small 175-meter downhill ski slope that’s perfect for kids who are polishing their skills, and it’s relatively sheltered from icy winds that can whip across the Hotham slopes. The town’s rustic elegance recalls its rich history as a grazing stop for cattlemen, and the buildings use plenty of natural stone and wood. A big plus here is that Dinner Plain lies outside the national park, so no overnight parking fees are payable, however if you’re driving to Hotham each day, you still have to pay the daily resort gate entry. Alternatively, you can hop aboard a shuttle or glide along a 10-kilometer cross country trail from here to Mt. Hotham and skip the parking fees. Another bonus of staying in this quaint little town, is that you can usually drive to the door of your accommodation instead of lugging travel bags across the snow. Accommodation is mainly self-contained apartments, houses, and chalets, which are great for families and big groups. The village is also home to a couple of fabulous restaurants.
9. Ben Lomond Ski Field Area, Ben Lomond National Park, Tasmania
About an hour and a half by car from Launceston, Ben Lomond Snow Sports is the only ski area in Tasmania accessible by car. With seven lifts, this is a great spot for beginner and intermediate skiers who want to escape the long lift lines often found at the resorts in New South Wales and Victoria. To access the resort, which sits at 1,453 metes, visitors must negotiate the switchback-riddled Jacob’s Ladders, a serpentine two-lane road, but it’s worth it for the spectacular views. Alternatively, visitors can hop aboard a shuttle from the Parks and Wildlife Service registration booth. The resort offers a sheltered toboggan run and snow play areas for the kids as well as cross country ski terrain. Rentals are available at the local ski shop. Accommodation options are limited and range from a rustic lodge to an alpine hotel.
8. Mt. Baw Baw Alpine Resort, Baw Baw National Park, Victoria
Only 120 kilometers from Melbourne, Mt. Baw Baw is the closest ski resort to Melbourne and offers great terrain for beginners and intermediates. This resort is also a favorite with families thanks to its three snow play areas. Skiers and snowboarders can carve up the snow on more than 30 hectares of skiable terrain serviced by six lifts, and the two terrain parks provide dedicated space for freestylers. Cross country skiers can glide through the snow gums on 10 kilometers of trails. The resort offers several accommodation options, including ski-in and ski-out lodges (when conditions permit), as well as ski rentals, ski school, and several restaurants.
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