What Is The Best Ski Resort In Australia?

Australia is globally known the endless beaches, the most perfect sandy coast and the red centre where indigenous people roamed the planet long before the rest of humanity came to life. What is not the most well-known is that is snows in Australia and there is a collection of ski resorts dotted in the mountain range that stretches along the southern east coast between Melbourne and Sydney. Thanks to an annual average snowfall between 350cm – 400cm (150”) those looking to ski in Australia are spoilt for choice thanks to these ski resort in Australia that come to life and are some of the most visited destinations in the winter months. For us to put together a “best” list was extremely difficult based on the fact that we are looking at it from our perspective which might not be the same perspective, so we have decided to break it down into several key aspects. This list is based on an overall approach when looking at access, cost of a lift ticket, number of lifts, number of trails, average snow and access to on mountain services as well as off-mountain services.When comparing the list to get the top ski resort in Australia we have also based a lot of our research on the numbers to try and remove the bias, we understand that everyone will have a preference for their list and we welcome you to message us on social media to share your thoughts, send us some photos of you getting out there loving the best ski resort in Australia and we will post these out to our followers.

Hotham Mountain Resort. Credit: Hotham Alpine Resort Falls CreekBest for: Beginner and Intermediate riders who love a snow village feelNumber of Lifts: 16Number of Runs: 92Resort Size: 1,112 acresNearest major city: Melbourne 386km (5 hours’ drive)Falls Creek continually takes the title of Victoria’s favourite alpine experience and is one of the best ski resorts in Australia. Offering a comprehensive mountain village and expansive ski resort it really is the best place for a winter get away. Hidden deep in the Victorian high country and right beside Australia’s highest large lake Falls Creek offers everything to keep all kinds of visitors satisfied for their winter get away.Offering a massive 450 hectares of skiable terrain Falls Creek has Victoria’s largest resort with roughly 90 marked runs powered by 14 lifts there is something to suit every level of rider.Falls Creek unique village offers visitors a ski in and ski out experience throughout the declared winter season. No cars are allowed throughout the village in the winter season with all cars parked at the base of the village which adds to the charm of the mountain getaway. Pros: ✅Great for beginner riders as the wide-open runs are seldom busy due to the distance from Melbourne.Authentic village experience with plenty of ski in ski out accommodation optionsEpic pass ski resort allows for great value accessIncredible alpine lake views with exceptional spread of intermediate runs Cons: ❌Further away from major airports and city means half day travelOn mountain accommodation can be rather expensiveLimited advanced and expert terrain Falls Creek Quick Facts Summit Elevation: 1780m / 5840ftBase Elevation: 1400m / 4593ftVertical Drop: 380m / 1247ftBeginner: 17%Intermediate: 60%Advanced: 23%Expert: 0%Number of Runs: 92Number of Lifts: 16Avg Annual Snowfall: 400cm / 157"Resort terrain: 450 ha / 1112 acresPass Type: Epic Pass

Falls Creek Morning Sunshine. Credit: Falls Creek Facebook Explore Falls Creek Falls Creek Snow Cams ThredboBest for: Riders looking for the longest ski runs in Australia & above tree line alpine terrain Number of Lifts: 13Number of Runs: 53Resort Size: 1,186 acresNearest major city: Canberra 211km (2 hours’ 45 minutes’ drive)Thredbo is seen to be the ‘it’ ski resort in Australia, and the facts seem to back that up along with some prestigious awards. Thredbo has the top 5 longest trails in Australia, they have the most accessible vertical offered in Australia and the highest lifted point in a resort at 2037m. Thredbo offers up 480 hectares of rideable terrain, and all that terrain is serviced by 14 lifts which includes the brand new Merritts Gondola opened in 2020. A first of its kind in Australia and a welcome delight to skiers and families getting up to Merritts Mountain House.Thredbo has a unique European style village at the base of its mountains packed full of all the amenities required in a modern-day ski resort with plenty of ski in and ski out accommodation. Thredbo really is a top-of-the-line ski destination tucked away in the New South Wales snowy mountains. Pros: ✅Award winning ski resort with terrain options for everyoneLongest vertical drop in Australia at over 650m (2,000ft)Top 5 longest ski trails in Australia (two 5km trails)Home to Australia’s highest lifted pointDedicated beginner & family zone tucked away from the main resort Cons: ❌Expensive accommodation in the villageLift tickets consistently priced at over $160 AUDLocated more than a day’s drive from either Melbourne or Sydney Thredbo Quick Facts Summit Elevation: 2037m / 6683ftBase Elevation: 1365m / 4479ftVertical Drop: 672m / 2205ftBeginner: 16%Intermediate: 67%Advanced: 10%Expert: 7%Number of Runs: 53Number of Lifts: 13Avg Annual Snowfall: 400cm / 157"Resort terrain: 480 ha / 1186 acresPass Type: Ikon / Mountain Collective

Thredbo Resort Sign. Credit: Thredbo Facebook Explore Thredbo Thredbo Snow Cams Mt BullerBest for: Day trip option from Melbourne & snow first timersNumber of Lifts: 20Number of Runs: 85Resort Size: 741 acresNearest major city: Melbourne 257km (3 hours’ drive)Often referred to as Melbourne’s playground Mt Buller is a simple 3 hours’ drive northeast of Melbourne’s CBD. The alpine setting has a quaint village offering shopping and restaurants at 1600m which is well within the snowline and has a complimentary shuttle service.Offering over 300 hectares of rideable terrain which covers all levels of ability and 21 lifts to get you around the mountain. Mt Buller has the largest and newest lift system in Victoria as well as a number of terrain parks to keep everyone entertained. If riding is not your thing Mt Buller has the best and most popular snow play activities with two toboggan slopes. One located right in the village, and another located down in the main car park.Whether you are looking for a simple day trip or a longer stay to experience the mountain life Mt Buller is the closest ski resort in Australia to a major city and international airport. Pros: ✅Great option for a family snow getawayEasy day trip from MelbourneLong & wide intermediate trails allow for great progressionGreat advanced trails with lifts that service only advanced terrain Cons: ❌Weekends & Holidays can be extremely busyVisits to Mt Buller require parking and a bus up into the villageSnow quality can be variable Mt Buller Quick Facts Summit Elevation: 1805m / 5922ftBase Elevation: 1375m / 4511ftVertical Drop: 430m / 1411ftBeginner: 20%Intermediate: 45%Advanced: 35%Expert: 0%Number of Runs: 85Number of Lifts: 20Avg Annual Snowfall: 400cm / 157"Resort terrain: 300 ha / 741 acresPass Type: Ikon / Mountain Collective

Mt Buller Alpenglow. Credit: Mt Buller Facebook Explore Mt Buller Mt Buller Snow Cams Hotham Best for: Powder hounds & advanced to expert riders Number of Lifts: 11Number of Runs: 72Resort Size: 791 acresNearest major city: Melbourne 378km (4 hours’ 30 minutes’ drive)Hotham is considered as the powder capital of Australia and is the only resort in the southern hemisphere where the village is located at the top of the mountain. Yes, that means you can park your car and drop straight in, no waiting to get up the mountain on a lift. Nestled at the top of the Victorian high country in the Great Dividing Range, Hotham ski resort in Australia offers 320 hectares of terrain that is considered some of the most challenging in Australia, but there are still plenty of options for newbies too. Spanning out over this wide resort is 13 lifts which are some of the best places to take in the incredible vistas available from this resort. The village itself is positioned along both sides of the great alpine road and sitting at above 1700m it is well above the snow line and offers comprehensive ski in and ski out accommodation options which range to suit all budgets. Pros: ✅Powder capital of AustraliaOnly resort with Extreme skiing zoneUnique summit village located at 1,700mRuns Heavenly chairlift from 730am Wednesday – SundayEpic Pass resort allows for unlimited access to Hotham and Falls Creek & Perisher Cons: ❌Treacherous drive required to reach the resortVillage is spread along a long road which results in no real central villageOlder lift infrastructure with a large collection of fixed grip lifts Hotham Quick Facts Summit Elevation: 1861m / 6106ftBase Elevation: 1450m / 4757ftVertical Drop: 411m / 1348ftBeginner: 20%Intermediate: 40%Advanced: 25%Expert: 15%Number of Runs: 72Number of Lifts: 11Avg Annual Snowfall: 400cm / 157"Resort terrain: 320 ha / 791 acresPass Type: Epic Pass

Hotham Entry. Credit: Hotham Facebook Explore Hotham Hotham Snow Cams PerisherBest for: Snow first timers & intermediate riders who can rider a T-BarNumber of Lifts: 47Number of Runs: 113Resort Size: 3,076 acresNearest major city: Canberra 207km (2 hours’ 40 minutes’ drive)Perisher is the largest ski resort in Australia and is also Australia’s most popular snow destination. 7 mountain peaks, 4 different resort areas and 47 lifts span out of the offer endless alpine fun high in the Australian alps. Perisher clocks in a whopping 1245 hectares of ridable terrain which is more than double most of the other resorts Australia has to offer. This makes Perisher the best place for an extended alpine experience as you will never run out of things to explore or do. Getting around all this terrain is no small task and to make it as easy as possible for their guest Perisher has 47 lifts to get everyone moving. Not even some of the biggest resorts around the world have that many lifts. With 4 different villages on offer all above the snowline and connected by the unique Skitube train system Perisher has everything you need for an incredible winter getaway. Pros: ✅Largest ski resort in Australia with 4 different zonesDedicated beginner zone away from the rest of the resortEpic Pass resort allows for unlimited access to Perisher and Hotham & Falls CreekSkitube train system offers a unique experience only found at Perisher Cons: ❌Weekends & Holidays can be extremely busy with long lift linesResort is spread out and not well connectedLarge resort however low verticalMost lifts offer top to bottom riding Perisher Quick Facts Summit Elevation: 2054m / 6739ftBase Elevation: 1699m / 5574ftVertical Drop: 355m / 1165ftBeginner: 22%Intermediate: 60%Advanced: 17%Expert: 1%Number of Runs: 113Number of Lifts: 47Avg Annual Snowfall: 400cm / 157"Resort terrain: 1245 ha / 3076 acresPass Type: Epic Pass

Perisher Powder Skier. Credit: Perisher Ski Resort Explore Perisher Perisher Snow Cams Charlotte PassBest for: Families looking for remote winter getaway high in the snowy mountainsNumber of Lifts: 5Number of Runs: 24Resort Size: 124 acresNearest major city: Canberra 218km (2 hours’ 40 minutes’ drive) – Winter visits require over snow transport from PerisherCharlotte Pass resort is the most unique ski resort in Australia that is targeted towards families plus holds the title for the highest Australian resort village at 1765m. During the winter season the resort can only be accessed via an over snow transport system which means the village is pedestrian only throughout the whole season. With only 50 hectares of rideable terrain this resort is small when compared to its neighbours Perisher and Thredbo however Charlotte pass is all about the experience. With a family centric vibe, it allows parents to relax knowing their children can explore in the safety of this isolated mountain location. Also, children under the age of 4 ski for free which is a big draw card for the resort. Pros: ✅Completely isolated snow resort with no carsGreat option for families where you can let the kids exploreConsistently great snow during the peak season Cons: ❌Cannot access the resort via car due to location, requires over snow transport from PerisherLimited accommodationLimited advanced terrain as resort is targeted towards families Charlotte Pass Quick Facts Summit Elevation: 1964m / 6444ftBase Elevation: 1765m / 5791ftVertical Drop: 199m / 653ftBeginner: 33%Intermediate: 29%Advanced: 38%Expert: 0%Number of Runs: 24Number of Lifts: 5Avg Annual Snowfall: 400cm / 157”Resort terrain: 50 ha / 124 acresPass Type: None

Charlotte Pass Base Lodge. Credit: Charlotte Pass Facebook Explore Charlotte Pass Charlotte Pass Snow Cams Mt Baw BawBest for: Families looking for remote winter getaway high in the snowy mountainsNumber of Lifts: 5Number of Runs: 24Resort Size: 124 acresNearest major city: Canberra 218km (2 hours’ 40 minutes’ drive) – Winter visits require over snow transport from PerisherMt Baw Baw is a snow and winter wonderland just 2.5 hours from downtown Melbourne. Being the closest ski resort in Australia to any major city in Australia means they are best known for family snow fun and easy day trips. The alpine village is set deep in the amazing Australian snow gums at a base elevation of 1,460m which means during winter the village is above the snow line. Rising to a summit elevation of 1,565m the Mt Baw Baw ski resort in Australia has a vertical drop of 105m. This is not the ski resort for people looking for leg burning groomers or steep chutes, what Mt Baw Baw is famous for is entry level snow fun, family experiences and the convenience of access. Many Melburnians and visitors to Melbourne’s first snow trip is to Mt Baw Baw as they can learn to ski, snowboard, ride toboggans or build a snowman.Mt Baw Baw has a quaint little village which comes to life as the fresh snow falls and they offer a limited number of accommodation options, however being so close to city many visitors prefer day trips. Pros: ✅Completely isolated snow resort with no carsGreat option for families where you can let the kids exploreConsistently great snow during the peak season Cons: ❌Cannot access the resort via car due to location, requires over snow transport from PerisherLimited accommodationLimited advanced terrain as resort is targeted towards families Mt Baw Baw Quick Facts Summit Elevation: 1964m / 6444ftBase Elevation: 1765m / 5791ftVertical Drop: 199m / 653ftBeginner: 33%Intermediate: 29%Advanced: 38%Expert: 0%Number of Runs: 24Number of Lifts: 5Avg Annual Snowfall: 400cm / 157”Resort terrain: 50 ha / 124 acresPass Type: None