Australia's Best Ski & Snowboarding Destinations

For the majority of people skiing and snow related activities are practiced in four states, three of which contain resorts that cater to a range of snow related fun. With the highest concentration of snow fields of any of the other three states, Victoria will leave you scratching your head trying to work out which mountain to conquer first. Here’s just a few to get you thinking….

Lake Mountain

• Highest Point (Summit): 1,433
• Skiable Area: 2400ha
• Dist. from Melbourne: 120km
• Dist. from Marysville: 22km

Being the closest resort to Melbourne at under two hour’s drive away, Lake Mountain is hugely popular especially with families who want to take the kids out to experience the snow for the first time.
The emphasis at Lake Mountain is definitely on beginner – intermediate skiers and boarders, but also on x-country skiing due to the relatively shallow gradient of some of the slopes. Kids are catered for in a big way with a great ski school operation.

Mt Hotham

• Ski Season: starts June 11, 2016
• Lift run times: 8.30am – 5.00pm (depending on lift and weather conditions)
• Highest Point (Summit): 1,862m
• Elevation of Ski village: 1,750m
• Number of lifts: 10 Chairs, 1 T-bar, 1 Poma, 2 Magic Carpets
• Dist. from Melbourne: 357km

   
In Victoria’s Alpine North East lies Mt. Hotham. Surrounded by some of the state’s most beautiful countryside, Mt. Hotham is a destination to try for those seeking something a little different. With a history rich in X-Country skiing, Mt. Hotham offers a huge range of activities to the budding snow goer.
These days Hotham is a full-functioning skier’s paradise, complete with ski school, snow patrol, all the usual hiring and dining facilities, and both on and off mount accommodation. The runs here range from beginner right up to advanced, so there is something for everyone. But, Hotham is also home to one of Australia’s most difficult runs, ‘Mary’s Slide.’

Mt Buller

• Highest Point (Summit): 1,805m
• Number of lifts: 22
• Dist. from Melbourne: 208km

   
With the most extensive lift network of any ski resort in Victoria, Mt. Buller is capable of facilitating 40,000 skiers per hour.
Buller is close enough to Melbourne (around 3 hours’ drive) that it has become a popular weekend destination for people from Melbourne. If you get up early enough, you can even get a days’ skiing in and be back home for dinner.
Catering to a range of ability levels from beginners up to advanced snow enthusiasts, off-piste options are also there for advanced skiers. Buller us truly a resort in every way, complete with the cinema, spa treatment facilities, gymnasium, museum, and sports hall. You’ll never be bored at Mt. Buller, even if the weather takes a turn and it’s impossible to ski that day.

Falls Creek

• Highest Point (Summit): 1,842m

• Elevation of Village: 1,600m
• Number of lifts: 15
• Dist. from Melbourne: 350km

 

 
Falls Creek offers a huge range of options to those skiers who have mastered the beginner slopes, and want to start riding their edges. Falls Creek also has the most extensive snow park options of any resort in Victoria and therefore can’t be missed if you are into catching some Alpine air time.

ACT - Alpine Destinations

ACT isn’t just home to Australia’s Parliament, you'll discover some truly beautiful alpine terrain as well. While it no longer has any operating ski fields, there is plenty of winter action to be had.

Mt Franklin, Bimberi Nature Reserve

• Bimberi Nature Reserve, Mt. Franklin.
• Highest Point (Summit): 1,646m
• Number of lifts: 0
• Dist. from Canberra: 74.1km

The mountain is best suited to x-country skiing as there are no lifts or resort facilities on the slopes.

New South Wales - Alpine Destinations

Although it is the northernmost territory within which you can ski, NSW certainly isn’t the state with the least options available to you. Home to the southern hemisphere’s largest Alpine resort, NSW truly caters to every skier imaginable.

Thredbo, Kosciuszko National Park

• Highest Point (Summit): 2037m

• Base Elevation: 1365m

• Number of lifts: 14

• Dist. from Sydney: 500km

 

Situated within NSW’s glorious Kosciuszko National Park, Thredbo Alpine Resort offers some of the most diverse terrain within driving distance of Sydney. With the vast majority of trails catering towards the intermediate level snow goer, Thredbo is your destination for brushing up with a lesson and taking your skills to the next level. That’s not to say that there isn’t something for everyone with beginner and advanced trails. There is even a warm indoor sports centre complete with gymnasium, indoor pool, squash courts and more, so if you feel like mixing it up for a few hours, you can do just that. 

Charlotte Pass

• Highest Point: 1,837m

• Elevation of resort: 1,765m

• Number of lifts: 5 (1 triple chair, 2 pomas, 1 T-bar, 1, magic carpet)

• Dist. from Sydney: 488km

• Dist. from Canberra: 215km

The resort at Charlottes pass is situated at the highest point of any in Australia. Naturally, this leads to consistently good snow fall due to its altitude. While it might be a small field in comparison to some of its other Kosciuszko neighbours, what it lacks in size it makes up for in quality. Charlotte pass has everything you will need for a fantastic time on the slopes: fine tune your skills with a lesson, chill out in the café between runs, and if you don’t have your own, hire gear on the mountain when you arrive. Charlotte Pass the perfect x-country skiing destination due to its easy access to high altitude terrain.

 

Perisher

• Highest Point (Mt. Perisher Summit): 2,054m

• Elevation of Ski field (Perisher Valley): 1,720m

• Number of lifts: 47

• Dist. from Sydney: 479km

• Dist. from Canberra Airport: 207km

Don’t let the name intimidate you, the only thing perishing around here is your insistent belief that winter is dull and boring. The largest Alpine Resort in the southern Hemisphere, Perisher is a snow sport mecca. Nestled close to the border of ACT (they could almost claim it) it’s actually quicker to travel to Perisher by car from Canberra airport (around 2.5 hours) than Sydney (around 5.5 - 6 hours). There are seven different peaks to explore in Perisher, each with their own variable runs, villages, hiring facilities, dining options and accommodation.

Tasmania - Alpine Destinations

There are two main snow destinations in Australia’s southernmost state these are Mt. Field National Park and Ben Lomond National Park.

Mt Mawson, Mt Field National Park

• Highest Point (Summit): 1,320m

• Elevation of Ski field: 1,250m

• Number of lifts: 4 (3 tow ropes, 1 lift)

• Dist. from Hobart: 89km

• Dist. from Launceston: 232km

Located conveniently within 1.5 hours drive from Hobart, Mt. Field National Park should be on your list not only for the skiing, but because it is so beautiful. You won’t be short of activities here as it is equally stunning all year round and a popular hiking and camping destination. Skiing areas on Mt. Mawson are located at an elevation of around about 1,250m above sea level, and while facilities are fairly basic, they cater to all levels of skiing. Popular among families due to its convenient location, Mt. Mawson is a go-to for weekend trips from Hobart, or even from further afield as it’s not too far to jump on the ferry and hit the slopes on a long weekend.

Ben Lomond National Park

• Highest Point (Summit Legges Tor): 1,572m

• Highest Elevation of Ski field: 1570m

• Number of lifts: 3 T-bars, 4 Poma lifts

• Dist. from Launceston: 60km

Tasmania’s premier ski resort is situated roughly an hour from Launceston making it another awesome choice of weekend ski destination. With a greater diversity of skiing facilities than Mt. Mawson. Cross country skiing is popular here to the wide open terrain and there is a greater range of lift options including T-bars and pomas. 

There is so much snow fun to be had in Australia, get into gear and get out there and experience Alpine Australia this coming winter!

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Common questions

Which Australian ski resort is closest to Melbourne?

Lake Mountain, at 120km and under two hours' drive. It is popular with families taking kids out for their first look at snow, and the emphasis sits on beginner to intermediate skiers and boarders, plus cross-country, because some slopes have a relatively shallow gradient.

Which Australian resort has the most lifts?

Perisher, with 47. Mt Buller has the most extensive lift network in Victoria at 22 lifts and can handle 40,000 skiers an hour. Thredbo runs 14, Falls Creek 15, and Mt Hotham has ten chairs, a T-bar, a Poma and two magic carpets.

Can you still ski in the ACT?

Not at a resort. The ACT no longer has any operating ski fields, so what is left is cross-country. Mt Franklin in Bimberi Nature Reserve sits at 1,646 metres, 74.1km from Canberra, with no lifts and no resort facilities on the slopes at all.