The Ultimate Australian Snow Guide

HOW TO GET THERE: 6 hour drive from Sydney

PARK PASS: Mt Kosciuszko National Park single-day pass is required at $29 per car per day
LIFT PASS: From $125 per day
MOST SUITABLE FOR: Everyone - beginners, intermediate, freestylers, advanced
www.thredbo.com.au

Nestled at the base of Australia’s highest mountain range, Thredbo has a huge amount of snow terrain for all abilities with dedicated beginner areas and a few green runs. However with a majority of the runs being intermediate, Thredbo is a top choice for confident riders looking for a new challenge. Surrounded by stunning Australian bushland, the quaint alpine village at the base of the slopes boasts over 30 cafes and restaurants providing a vibrant atmosphere even when you’re off the mountain.

Experience some of the best of Australian backcountry snowboarding or skiing with the Dead Horse Gap, Ramshead Range or Mt.Kosciuszko.

If you’re looking for a bit of jibbing, the terrain parks have got you covered with boxes, tubes, rails and bonks, and also include jumps of all sizes. Whether you’re a keen-bean first timer or an experienced park rat, Thredbo terrain parks will help your freestyle skills soar.

Not ready to go home yet? Keep on riding through the night with Twilight riding on the Friday flat till 7pm on certain days. Check the website for more details.

HOW TO GET THERE: 5.5 hours drive from Sydney

PARK PASS: Mt Kosciuszko National Park single-day pass is required at $29 per car per day
LIFT PASS: From $128 per day
MOST SUITABLE FOR: Freestylers, beginners, intermediate
www.perisher.com.au

The largest resort in the southern hemisphere with over 12 square kilometers of skiable terrain spanning over four combined areas (Perisher, Smiggins, Blue Cow and Guthega), this snow destination is the best bang for your buck. The terrain consists of mostly intermediate (60%) and beginner (22%). Although there are some black runs, they’re pretty short. There’s a little bit of tree skiing, and also access to some backcountry if you know where to look.

Australia’s biggest halfpipe lives at Perisher, renowned as the leading resort for Australian terrain parks and recognised as one of the most innovative worldwide. With over 7 parks built by local dude Charles Beckinsale, one of the world's leading park designers, you’ll be spoilt for choice with a whole lot of jumps, rails and boxes.

Snow coverage is generally pretty good at Perisher due to the resort's overall edge in altitude. With breath-taking panoramic views of the Kosciuszko mountain range, you’ll be tempted to stop and pull out the camera for a few instagram moments while you ride.

Perisher also offers some sweet night boarding Tuesday and Saturday nights until 9pm.

There are a few ski-in ski-out accommodation options as well as plenty of restaurants and pubs on the resort.

With no central village, Perisher doesn’t quite have the magic village atmosphere like that of Thredbo, but nearby Jindabyne (30 min drive away) has a buzzing nightlife and is a common hangout for most NSW skiers and boarders. Although it costs money to enter the national park, parking at the Bullocks Flat Skitube railway is free. Many people opt to stay in Jindy, leaving their car there for the day before riding the train up the mountain straight to the slopes. The train will take you from Bullocks Flat, stopping at Perisher Valley before heading on to Blue cow. You can make a saving by buying the Skitube and lift ticket together.

HOW TO GET THERE: 4.5 hours drive from Melbourne

RESORT ENTRY: $45 per day per car when bought online. Purchases made at the Resort Entry gate will cost $49.50.
LIFT PASS: FROM $123 PER DAY
MOST SUITABLE FOR: Beginner & intermediate
www.fallscreek.com.au

Australia’s only 100% ski-in ski-out village, with a full cover of snow you will feel like you’re in the European Alps. The village is completely car free and within easy walking distance to the slopes and everything else you need. You can choose to stay in the village or off-mountain accommodation nearby at either Bogong Village or Mount Beauty.

Falls Creek’s terrain is not known for its steepness but consists of 60% blue runs and offers an amazing opportunity to improve your riding by terrain designed with progression in mind. The resort also boasts Australia’s longest green run, Wombat’s Ramble (2.2km).

If you’re looking for something more gnarly, the Summit is loaded with steep black runs perfect for advanced riders, however these areas are usually the last to open and the first to close. For deep powder and fun tree runs, give The Maze a crack. The only real expert terrain is located in the backcountry on Mt McKay, which offers chutes and other steep technical lines, but is only accessible by snowcat twice-daily.

The terrain park under the Ruined Castle chair lift has a good set up with a range of features if you’re looking to jib.

Night riding is also available Wednesdays and Saturdays until 9pm.

HOW TO GET THERE: 4.5 hours drive from Melbourne

RESORT ENTRY: $46 per day per car when bought online.
LIFT PASS: FROM $123 PER DAY
MOST SUITABLE FOR: Advanced & Expert riders
mthotham.com.au

If you’re looking for hardcore terrain with heart pounding descents through untracked powder and tight trees, there’s no better place to ride than Hotham. With the highest proportion of black runs in Australia, this is an advanced rider’s heaven. Head to Gotcha chairlift for the steepest double black diamond run, Mary’s Slide - point down and pray to Mary! Shaped like a massive funnel, with a bowl at the top and tight technical terrain at the bottom, it’s rarely populated with people so you’ll feel alone in the wilderness.

The ski resort has good terrain for beginners and intermediates, however Hotham Resort caters better to strong intermediate and advanced riders alike.

Mt Hotham is a unique alpine experience with the entire village on top of the mountain. It’s pretty much an “upside down” ski resort with the flatter beginner runs at the top, with the slopes becoming steeper as they descend into the valleys. There’s plenty of accommodation on mountain, and an alpine village offering plenty of restaurants, hardcore partying as well as some spectacular views of surrounding mountains like Feathertop.

HOW TO GET THERE: 3 hours drive from Melbourne

RESORT ENTRY: $45 per day per car when bought online.
LIFT PASS: FROM $112 PER DAY
MOST SUITABLE FOR: Everyone - Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Freestylers
www.mtbuller.com.au

Just three hours drive from Melbourne, nowhere else in Australia offers the ease to be on and off the snow for a day trip from the city. With Victoria’s largest network of 22 lifts, the terrain mix at Buller will keep all riders amused with an even spread between all levels. This resort is a natural wonderland with mellow fall lines through to rugged ridges, cliff drops and tight tree runs. If you’re looking for some sensational cruising runs, give Mount Buller's Wombat and Little Buller Spur areas a crack. If you’re after something steep, head to Buller’s chutes, which you can access via the Summit chairlift. These chutes are renowned for being among the steepest lines in Australia and are not patrolled. For the park rats there are three terrain parks designed for all levels as well as a halfpipe for the more adventurous.

Situated high in the snowfields, the village has a certain European charm about it with plenty of ski-in ski out accommodation, bars and Melbourne-quality food and coffee.

Mt Buller does struggle to get good snow, however they have a solid snowmaking system along with plenty of amazing night skiing available to extend your time on the mountain.

With the proximity to Melbourne, it can get quite busy on the weekends, but why wouldn’t you want to take a quick weekend trip down for a shred whilst taking in the awesome view of the snow-covered Great Divide?