Selecting a Snowy Mountains resort

Thredbo, Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel

Thredbo

Thredbo is an award-winning alpine gem, packed with après ski bars, restaurants and entertainment. Thredbo is also home to Friday Flat, a brilliant area for beginners to learn and practice their skills, as well as the longest ski run in Australia known as the Crackenback Supertrail. Off the slopes, enjoy the Olympic-sized heated pool and waterslide at the Thredbo Leisure Centre.

Merrits Gondola, Thredbo - Credit: Thredbo Resort

In Thredbo village, you’ll find lots of places to stay, eat, drink and shop. In 2020 it also launched Merritts Gondola, Australia’s first alpine gondola, and one of 14 lifts servicing more than 50 runs.

Hitch a ride on Karels T-bar to the highest lifted point in Australia and once you’ve arrived at 2,037m, you can ‘ring the bell’ to celebrate.

Thredbo Community Bell, Thredbo - Credit: Thredbo Resort

Perisher

Not only is Perisher the largest resort in Australia, it’s the largest in the Southern Hemisphere with 1,245 hectares of snowy playground in which to ski and snowboard. It consists of four linked resorts including Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Guthega and Blue Cow, with 47 lifts across the seven peaks.

Perisher, Kosciuszko National Park

You can ski or snowboard from one to the other or ride the Skitube, an innovative Swiss-designed mountain train, between Perisher Valley and Blue Cow if you want to only ski one way. Each of the areas has a different personality, but also offers terrain for all levels. Perisher also has an impressive network of cross-country trails, as well as snowshoe tours and an acclaimed Snowsports school.

Perisher, NSW Snowy Mountains 

Charlotte Pass

The highest resort in Australia, Charlotte Pass is a charming and secluded alpine village that is completely snowbound in winter, only accessible by oversnow transport from Perisher.​​

Charlotte Pass is also home to the iconic Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel, the historic ‘grand dame’ of the resort built in 1930. Grab a drink, relax by the fire and soak in the ambience. Charlotte Pass also offers ski lessons for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities, as well as great trail access.

Charlotte Pass Ski Resort, Snowy Mountains

The highest resort in Australia (1,760m), charming Charlotte Pass is completely snowbound in winter, and as such is only accessible by oversnow transport from Perisher. The benefit of this is that all the accommodation is ski-in, ski-out and you won’t find it crowded. Charlotte Pass offers an intimate experience and is perfect for beginners or for families who might want to avoid busier, bigger resorts.

Another reason to go is the gorgeous Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel, dating back to the 1930s. It is the historic heart of the resort and sitting by the fire with a hot chocolate at the end of the day is magical. The resort offers five lifts and 19 runs for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities, and lessons are available. Charlotte Pass is also popular with cross country skiers due its great trail access.

Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel, Charlotte Pass

Selwyn Snow Resort

After closing in 2020 due to severe bushfire damage, Selwyn Snow Resort is set for a grand re-opening for the 2022 snow season. The resort has been extensively rebuilt, including the new and expanded ‘Selwyn Centre’, housing guest facilities and services. Best of all, the relocated and expanded Toboggan Park will also open once again, offering the best tobogganing experience in NSW.

Selwyn Snow Resort is popular with families and beginners, offering gentle varied slopes across 45 hectares of skiable terrain. There are 10 lifts, and runs for beginners, intermediate and advanced skiers, and snowboarders. The gently progressing terrain is ideal for first timers, and a team of instructors will have you gliding down the slopes on skis or a snowboard in no time.