Perisher Valley

The Perisher Ski Resort is spectacular. There are 47 lifts, an array of ski runs and terrain parks, extensive cross-country skiing trails and Tube Town, a fun snow-tubing park. The beautiful area in the NSW Snowy Mountains groups together Perisher Valley, Blue Cow, Smiggin Holes and Guthega.

The largest snow resort in the Southern Hemisphere is great for all levels of experience, from beginners to advanced skiers and snowboarders. In the magnificent Kosciuszko National Park, you’ll find an enticing range of accommodations options, including convenient ski-in ski-out chalets.

Alternatively, stay in the Jindabyne and Cooma areas and travel by car or the Skitube alpine railway, on a Swiss-designed rack-rail train from Bullocks Flat on the Alpine Way to Perisher Valley and Blue Cow. The train goes through a 6.3km tunnel, one of Australia’s longest underground train tunnels.

The official snow season kicks off in early June with the Perisher Peak Festival, a four-day music festival featuring Australian and international acts. You’ll also find a delicious range of restaurants, cafes and bars with mountain vistas, such as the vibrant Overflow Bar and the charming White Spider.

Perisher offers many wonderful skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing adventures, from thrilling downhill runs to freestyle terrain parks and cross-country trails, both marked and backcountry. Before your off-piste or backcountry adventure, please read these alpine safety tips carefully.

About a fifth of the downhill runs are for beginners. There are five progressive terrain parks for skiers and boarders of all levels, and two half-pipes for aerial tricks. Night skiing and snowboarding are popular, too. Epic Australia Pass holders and kids with a valid day ticket can night ski and board for free.

The highest chairlift point is 2,034 metres, on the Mount Perisher Double Chair. There are seven peaks in the Perisher area, with Mount Perisher the highest at 2,054 metres. The views of the Australian Alps are stunning. You can tour the mountainous backcountry with K7 Adventures.