 Compiled by Sue Wallace
There is something special about a family holiday in the snow; a perfect mix of fun, exercise and lots of pristine alpine air, where life time memories are created. There is plenty to do on and off the slopes and the good news is long range forecasters are predicting solid falls again this season.
The key to an affordable family skiing holiday is to do your homework and seek out the early bird specials offering value for money packages including accommodation, lift and lesson tickets and ski gear hire. If you are flexible with dates, the start and the end of the season are great cost savers with some resorts offering refunds if there’s little snow.
The hottest news is you can purchase an early bird three resort pass that enables you to ski at Falls Creek, Mt Hotham and Perisher, for the price of one.
VICTORIA
Mt Hotham
A busy resort catering for families and advanced skiers.
Where: A sprawling ridgetop village in the heart of the Victorian Alps - 750 kms from Sydney and 360 kms from Melbourne, between Harrietville and Omeo.
Getting there: Mt Hotham airport is 20kms from the resort - there are direct flights from Sydney via Qantaslink.
Skiable Terrain: 320ha with 20 percent beginners, 40 percent intermediate and 40 percent advanced.
Lifts: 13
Snowmaking: 25 hectares
Longest downhill run: 2.5kms
Ski School: Milo Mighty Mites – ages 3 to 6 years, Milo Kids’ Klub ages 7-14, Hotham Day Care Centre - 3 months-5 years.
Babysitting: yes
Terrain Park: There are two parks and one half pipe-snow dependent.
Cross country: 35kms
Ski Hire:
On mountain – available from many outlets
Off mountain – Bright, Harrietville and Porepunkah
Accommodation:
On mountain: Ski in and ski out – 7,000 beds available in chalets, lodges, resorts and self catering units including Dinner Plain.
Off mountain: Bright, Mt Beauty, Harrietville and Porepunkah.
Transport: Free village shuttle bus.
Heli-link: Mt Hotham and Falls Creek are linked by a 7-minute helicopter ride. Lift tickets are interchangeable.
Activities for kids: Downhill skiing, cross country, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, night skiing, tobogganing.
Bookings: Early bird deals available including accommodation, lessons and ski hire.
More information: Call 1800 354555 or www.mthotham.com.au
Dinner Plain
Resembles a fairytale village nestled among snow gums - a firm favourite for families with young children. The architecture reflects the cattlemen’s history of the area and blends into the surrounding snow gums. Not as busy as Hotham and often snowbound.
Where: A 10-minute drive from Mt Hotham.
Skiable terrain: Mostly beginner slopes and lots of snow play.
Lifts: Beginner’s Tow
Snowmaking: no
Longest run: short beginner slopes
Ski School: Beginner lessons available for skiing, snowboarding and cross country
Babysitting: yes 03 5159 6451
Terrain Park: none
Cross country: 15 kms, in addition to the 10km trail between Dinner Plain and Mt Hotham
Ski hire:
On mountain: yes
Off mountain: Omeo and Harrietville
Accommodation: 200 lodges and chalets
Transport: A shuttle service operates between Dinner Plain and Mt Hotham.
Activities for kids: Snow shoeing, dog sledding, snow 4x4 driving, snow play.
Bookings: Early bird discounts available.
More information: Phone 1300 734 365 or www.visitdinnerplain.com
 Falls Creek
A picturesque alpine resort catering for families and skiers of all abilities, has reliable snow cover and extensive snow making.
Where: 357kms from Melbourne and 690 kms from Sydney. Flights are available from Melbourne and Sydney to Albury airport. Coach transport and hire cars available.
Skiable Terrain: 450 hectares with 17 per cent beginners, 60 per cent intermediate and 23 per cent advanced.
Lifts: 15
Snowmaking: 110 hectares
Longest downhill run: advanced: 3kms, beginners: 2.5kms
Ski School: Milo Children’s Program 3-5 years Junior Workshop and Shredders 6-14 years. Various racing workshops available.
Babysitting: yes
Terrain Park: three – advanced, intermediate and beginners
Cross country: 70kms of trails
Ski Hire:
On Snow: Many outlets.
Off snow: Bright, Mt Beauty, Albury, Wodonga
Accommodation: Chalets, lodges, units, hotels and motels
On mountain: 4745 beds
Off mountain: Mt Beauty 2500 beds, 30kms away
Transport: Free village shuttle and free chair lift from Gully. Village taxi.
Activities for kids: bungy trampoline, snowmobile tours, snowboarding, tobogganing, downhill and cross country skiing, snow grooming tours, night skiing, snow tubing, snowbikes, Kat Skiing Mt McKay, snocce, snowbikes, snow kites.
Bookings: Early bird packages available.
More information: 1800 453 525 or www.fallscreek.com.au
Mt Buller
One of three major ski resorts in Victoria. A popular destination for daytrippers from Melbourne and weekend skiers. Wide range of terrain and a vibrant village.
Where: 225kms from Melbourne. Fly into Melbourne, coaches and car hire optional.
Skiable Terrain: 263ha with 25 per cent beginners, 45 per cent intermediate and 30 per cent advanced.
Lifts: 25
Snowmaking: 74 hectares
Longest downhill run: 2.5kms
Ski School: Extensive children’s program including Bunyip program for 3-6 year olds, and Buller Kids program for 6-14 year olds.
Babysitting: yes
Terrain Park: 1 half pipe, 3 snow parks
Cross country: 9kms
Ski Hire:
On Snow: yes
Off snow: Mansfield, Merrijig
Accommodation:
On mountain: Wide range of chalets, lodges hotels motels, units,
Off mountain: Mansfield, Merrijig and Sawmill Settlement
Transport: Free Intra Village Bus service
Activities for kids: downhill skiing, night skiing, boarding, snow shoeing, cross country, telemarking, tobogganing, sleigh rides, skidoo rides.
Bookings: Value for money early bird packages available.
More information: 03 5777 7800 or www.mtbuller.com.au
NSW
Thredbo
Where: located in the Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains in southeastern Australia, 500kms from Sydney. You can fly into Canberra and catch a coach. Flights to Cooma may be an option.
Skiable Terrain: 480ha with 16 per cent beginners, 67 per cent intermediate and 17 per cent advanced.
Lifts: 14
Snowmaking: 67 hectares
Longest downhill run: 5.9kms
Ski School: Thredboland program for children aged 3-18, also creche for infants
Babysitting: yes
Terrain Park: Three
Ski Hire:
On Snow: yes
Off snow: Jindabyne, Cooma
Accommodation:
On mountain: Many options of chalets, lodges, hotels and units.
Off mountain: Thredbo Valley, Jindabyne
Transport: Shuttle bus runs regularly between Friday Flat and the main village, also around the village.
Activities for kids: downhill skiing, night skiing, boarding, snow shoeing, cross country, telemarking, tobogganing and skidoo rides.
Bookings: Great early bird specials available.
More information: 1300 020 589 or www.thredbo.com.au
Perisher
The amalgamation of four ski areas, the resorts are interconnected and ski lift passes can be used throughout the resort. It is the biggest ski resort in Australia.
Where: In the Snowy Mountains near Jindabyne in southern NSW, about 500kms from Sydney.
Skiable Terrain: 1245ha with 22 percent beginners, 60 percent intermediate and 18 percent advanced.
Lifts: 50
Snowmaking: 40 hectares
Longest downhill run: 3km
Ski School: Junior ski programs for 3-6 year olds, workshops and programs for older children.
Babysitting: yes
Terrain Park: 6
Cross country: 100kms of trails
Ski Hire:
On Snow: many on-mountain outlets
Off snow: Jindabyne, Cooma
Accommodation:
On mountain: 4000 beds including chalets, lodges, units and hotels.
Off mountain: Jindabyne, 30 minutes drive away, Lake Crackenback
Transport: Oversnow taxi service and shuttle buses available. The ski tube operates between Perisher and Blue Cow on a standard lift pass at no extra cost. There is a free shuttle connecting Perisher and Smiggin Holes
Activities for kids: Downhill skiing, boarding, snow tubing, snow shoeing, cross country, telemarking and toboganning, first tracks, groomer tours, night skiing
Bookings: Early bird packages available.
More information: 1300 655 822 or www.perisherblue.com.au
 Charlotte Pass
Unique because it’s the only snowbound resort in Australia, also lowest temperature ever recorded in Australia, –23 degrees. It is Australia’s highest resort and great for families.
You can do a day trip from Perisher.
Where: near Jindabyne in southern NSW.
Skiable Terrain: 50 ha with 40 percent beginners, 50 percent intermediate and 10 percent advanced.
Lifts: 5, 1 chair 4 tows
Snowmaking: yes
Longest down hill run: 3kms
Ski School: Lessons and workshops offered.
Babysitting: yes
Terrain Park: yes
Cross country: Lots of trails
Ski Hire:
On Snow: yes
Off snow : Perisher, Omeo, Cooma
Accommodation:
On mountain: 700 beds
Off mountain: Jindabyne, Cooma
Transport: Oversnow transport from Perisher that leaves from the Perisher Centre. The village is small so you can easily walk around.
Activities for kids: downhill skiing, boarding, snow shoeing, cross country, telemarking, skidoos
Bookings: Early bird packages available.
More information: 1800 026 369 or www.charlottepass.com.au
Selwyn Snowfields
A family friendly beginner and snowplay destination in the north of the Kosciuszko National Park. This is a day visitor area only.
Where: 500kms from both Melbourne and Sydney.
Skiable Terrain: 45 hectares with 40 per cent beginners, 48 per cent intermediate and 12 per cent advanced.
Lifts: 12
Snowmaking: yes
Ski School: Selwyn Snow World caters for children from 18 months to six years with indoor and outdoor activities. Ski lessons run for 3-5 year olds.
Babysitting: yes
Terrain Park: no
Cross country: There are some trails.
Ski Hire:
On Snow: yes
Off snow: Adaminaby Talbingo Tumut
Accommodation:
On mountain: No
Off mountain: Talbingo 62kms, Adaminaby 46kms, Tumut 102 kms, Cooma 97kms
Transport: Walk or ski around the resort
Activities for kids: Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, tobogganing and lots of snow play
Bookings: Look out for mid week specials.
More information: 1800 641 046 www.selwynsnow.com.au
TASMANIA
If you are heading to the Apple Isle and want to dust off your skis, Ben Lomand National Park is the only downhill skiing resort in Tasmania.
Where: Located 55kms south-east of Launceston.
Terrain: 37 per cent beginner, 53 per cent intermediate, 10 per cent advanced.
Lifts: 6 on the down hill slopes , 3 T bars and 3 poma lifts.
Snowmaking: minimal
Ski school: Lessons for all abilities available.
Babysitting: no
Terrain Park: no
Cross country: Trails available
Ski hire:
On mountain: yes
Off mountain: Launceston.
Accommodation:
On mountain: About 500 beds. A variety of lodges and units available.
Off mountain: Launceston
Transport: There is a daily shuttle service from Launceston to Ben Lomand.
Activities: Snow play, skiing and snow boarding.
More information: 03 6390 6199 or www.parks.tas.gov.au
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