When planning a trip to Australia it’s fair to say most people are more concerned with which beach to visit rather than where to find the snow. Australia is a country that is synonymous with the sunshine which probably does the ski industry down under a disservice. But skiing and snowboarding in Australia is a real thing and more than that… it can be excellent. The snowboarding in Australia will be found in the south with resorts spread between the states of Victoria and NSW.
VICTORIA
The state of Victoria is home to three incredibly popular ski resorts; Mt Hotham, Falls Creek and Mount Buller. All three resorts are accessible from Melbourne and represent some of the best Australia has to offer.
Buller is a short drive from Melbourne (around 3 hours) and is the busiest ski resort in Victoria. It is worth a midweek trip to avoid the weekend crowds but if you need to go at peak times no worries Mount Buller has a large village to accommodate the visitors.
Falls Creek is a pretty interesting resort due to its abundance of ski-in-ski-out accommodations. This is the closest you will come to that European-style village in Australia. Snowboarding at Falls Creek mostly suits intermediates but as with most Aussie ski resorts they build some great terrain parks too.
Mt Hotham offers the most challenging snowboarding in Victoria with a number of steeps, although these are rather short. Hotham also has terrain to suit most abilities which makes it a great all-rounder or family resort.
WHAT TO EXPECT
It is important to approach an Australian snowboard trip with an open mind. This is summer snowboarding and is not to be compared to the large scale resorts found in Europe and the US. That doesn’t mean it cant be as good as when the conditions are right Australia can be exceptional. Australian resorts tend to take the rough with the smooth making the most out of low snow seasons with extensive snowmaking. When it dumps in Australia it tends to really dump with large storms dropping 80cm not unheard off.
At Australian ski resorts, you are unlikely to find the level of challenging steep terrain you can find in other parts of the world. Similarly, long runs are hard to find due to the lower elevations nut Australia does a great job of making a challenge and this is reflected in their love of the terrain park. Australia is home to some of the best freestyle set-ups in the world and terrain parks can be found at most Aussie ski resorts.
The landscapes at Australian ski resorts can feel quite unique. There is a lack of large and daunting peaks however there is a certain charm to snowboarding down through the Australian gum trees.
WHY SNOWBOARD IN AUSTRALIA
When it comes to summer snowboarding in the Southern Hemisphere you have plenty of options, so why choose Australia?
The first reason to choose an Australian snowboard trip would be if you are an Epic Pass holder at your Northern Hemisphere ski resort. The Epic Pass for resorts like; Heavenly, Vail or Park City will also cover your Australian skiing at three resorts. That’s right unlimited snowboarding at; Perisher, Hotham and Falls Creek on your normal ski pass, bargain!
If you are not an Epic Pass holder don’t worry there are more reasons to head to Australia in search of summer turns. Snowboarding in Australia is great for those who want to spend time improving their freestyle. The terrain parks in Australia are well-maintained and offer features of all sizes to suit everyone. Pretty much all resorts in Australia invest time and money in producing awesome terrain parks.
The weather in Australia can be pretty brutal but when it plays ball Australia can be an awesome place to snowboard. The sun is often shining at Aussie ski resorts which can mean t-shirt weather and enjoyable spring riding conditions.
AUSTRALIA OR NEW ZEALAND
The question of whether to head to New Zealand or Australia for your summer ski trip is asked a lot and in our opinion, they are both great. That might come across as sitting on the fence but genuinely both are worth visiting. They can be compared in terms of terrain, facilities, and cost.. so here we go.
Cost
New Zealand is more affordable than Australia in every way. Lift pass prices in Australia are extortionate outside of the Epic Pass which offers unlimited snowboarding at three major Australian resorts. The cost of day passes is a rip-off, so if Australia is on your mind plan and look into season pass options as these often work out cheaper. The extra you spend on your lift pass probably contributes to better facilities with access roads being well-maintained at Australian resorts.
In general, the cost of living in New Zealand is cheaper with food and drink costs less although accommodation can be at a premium. Depending on where you are travelling from affordability can depend on the exchange rate at the time. Many Australians fly to New Zealand for their ski trip so this should indicate which offers better value for money.
Facilities
Australian ski resorts tend to have more European-style resort villages at the ski resort base. Thredbo has a great village to stay in that would make an Aussie trip hassle-free and this is not something that is found in New Zealand. If you prioritize convenience then Australia may win your vote.
Snow-making is pretty decent in both Australia and New Zealand because… well it has to be. In the bad snow years, both Australia and New Zealand rely heavily on snow-making to ensure their resorts can stay open.
Infrastructure in both New Zealand and Australia is pretty good with resorts having high-speed chairs and decent lodge facilities. Most commercial resorts across both countries will offer a ski school, rental, and dining facilities.
Terrain
New Zealand will have more advanced terrain with steeper runs and better off-piste than their Australian counterparts. Australia is known for its terrain parks with many professionals heading to Perisher or Thredbo to train during the summer months. Both New Zealand and Australia have small resorts by European standards with vertical drops often below 600m.
AUSTRALIA FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can You Snowboard In Australia?
Australia has a number of interesting places to snowboard. Ski resorts in Australia have great facilities including high-speed lifts and extensive snow-making.
What Is The Best Ski Resort In Australia?
This is really down to personal opinion and what you are looking for from a resort. Below are some of our thoughts…
Best For Vertical: Thredbo
Best For Freestyle: Perisher
Best For Steeps: Hotham
Best Village: Thredbo/Falls Creek
Is Snowboarding In Australia Any Good?
Snowboarding in the Southern Hemisphere can be pretty brutal and weather dependant and Australia is no different. When conditions are right a snowboarding trip to Australia can be incredible, with large snow dumps possible.
Which Is Better Thredbo or Perisher?
Perisher has more runs and more skiable terrain however Thredbo has a larger vertical drop. There is more to explore at Perisher although it can feel like you spend a long time riding lifts. Thredbo has longer runs meaning it feels like you are riding for longer. Due to the lower vertical drop at Perisher snow conditions can feel more consistent with Thredbo’s snow varying a lot between the higher and lower elevations of the resort.
