Australia’s Best Family Ski Resorts

The votes are in, and the Best Family Ski Resorts in Australia have been announced.

John Williamson may have sang ‘Give Me a Home Among the Gumtrees…’ but how about a ski resort peppered with snow gums? There’s something special about skiing in Australia with our iconic landscapes and unique wildlife (a sheep or two, a kangaroo…) to spot on the slopes or spy paw prints scattered through the snow. The Australian Alps get more snowfall than the Swiss Alps!

Ski & Snowboard with Kids is always asked which is the best family ski resort in Australia. Australians are lucky to have family-friendly ski resorts to choose from in both New South Wales and Victoria. Australia’s Best Family Ski Resorts have been selected by an expert panel who nominated their favourites across six categories. Each ski resort has something different to offer, and some are more suited to beginners or experts, so sit back and plan the ultimate family snow holiday in Australia.

1. Thredbo, NSW

Thredbo is the best ski resort in Australia for families. This Snowy Mountains resort has plenty to offer both on and off the slopes and is home to the first alpine gondola in Australia. And as of 2024, the Alpine Coaster – an all-year-round attraction. Thredbo has a variety of terrain, an amazing history and a buzzing village, along with an excellent ski school program. Friday Flat is a wonderful place for kids to learn in a safe environment, and when you need a break off the snow, head for the heated indoor pool at the Leisure Centre. The village is right at the base of the mountain and offers many ski-in, ski-out accommodation options plus restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops.

Thredbo also has Australia’s biggest winter calendar of events and experiences. During school holidays, the fun is non-stop with Thredbo’s Kids Snow Festivals, plus heaps of action-packed on-snow events and unique experiences that run on select dates throughout the season. Thredbo is a partner on the Ikon Pass, offering seven days on the Ikon Pass and five days on the Ikon Base Pass.

• Terrain: 16% beginner, 67% intermediate, 17% advanced
• Lifts: 15
• Terrain parks: Four
• Group lessons: Thredbo operates three-hour group lessons for kids aged seven to 14. They also run full-day programs including Thredboland for skiers aged three to six. Burton Riglets caters for snowboarders aged five to six, while Freeriders is a full-day program for kids aged seven to 14.
• Private lessons Thredbo offers one-hour private ski or snowboard lessons for shredders aged two to four.
• Childcare Billy Button has babysitting and will come to your accommodation.

2. Falls Creek, VIC

Falls Creek is the largest resort in Victoria with 450 hectares of skiable terrain, 90 runs and 15 lifts. The family-friendly ski resort is home to the longest green run in Australia – Wombat’s Ramble. This run is also the location for night skiing on Wednesday and Saturday nights.

The snow sports school is world-class, and off the slopes there’s a multitude of things to do. Families can try snowmobiling, backcountry tours, tubing and tobogganing. The European-style village ensures families have plenty of choices when it comes to places to shop, stay and dine. Falls Creek is part of the Vail Resorts stable, accessible on the Epic Australia Pass.

• Terrain stats: 17% beginner, 60% intermediate, 23% advanced
• Lifts: 15
• Terrain parks: Five
• Group lessons: Snow Club has half- or full-day ski lessons for kids aged three to six years. Private lessons are recommended for kids as young as four who want to snowboard. Junior Workshop is for kids aged seven to 14.
• Private lessons: There is a range of options available.
• Childcare: From 12 weeks at Falls Creek Child Care. Book well in advance.

3. Perisher, NSW

Perisher is the largest resort in the Southern Hemisphere with four linked ski fields – Blue Cow, Perisher, Smiggin Holes or Guthega – ensuring plenty of terrain for all levels. The resort has 47 lifts to access 1,245 hectares of skiable terrain. From Mount Perisher to the protected valleys and the runs down from Blue Cow, Perisher has something for everyone. Known as one of Australia’s best family ski resorts, it sits within the picturesque Kosciuszko National Park in NSW with limited on-snow accommodation. Most families will stay in Jindabyne and catch the Skitube (season passes available) to the slopes each day which also avoids the national park entry fee.

Perisher is part of the Vail Resorts stable, accessible on the Epic Australia Pass.

• Terrain stats: 22% beginner, 60% intermediate, 18% advanced
• Lifts: 47
• Terrain parks: Eight
• Group lessons: Half-day kids’ lessons run every day from Perisher Valley or Smiggin Holes with full-day lessons on Saturdays. For the ultimate instruction, book into Perisher’s three- or five-day Adventure Programs.
• Private lessons: Perisher offers individual or group private lessons for up to four skiers and snowboarders as young as three.
• Childcare: Book with Kozzi Kids babysitting in Jindabyne.

4. Mt Buller, VIC

The closest alpine resort to Melbourne, Mt Buller has 22 lifts carrying skiers and snowboarders to the various corners of its 300 hectares of terrain. From the top of the summit to the plethora of runs on the southern side, and the fun runs over by Grimus, Buller is a great mountain to ride. The longest, and seemingly most favourite, blue run at Mt Buller is Little Buller Spur. The run spans 2.5 kilometres and ends at Wombat Chair, named in honour of the furry little mammals that can sometimes be found on the sidelines of the run. The resort’s front area, Bourke Street, is lined on each side with family-friendly restaurants and has Twilight Sessions running every Wednesday and Saturday nights from July through to August

Mt Buller is part of the Ikon Pass and the Mountain Collective.

• Terrain stats: 15% beginner, 45% intermediate, 40% advanced
• Lifts: 19
• Terrain parks: Four
• Group lessons: Bunyips are half- or full-day ski lessons aimd at kids aged three to six for skiing, conducted in their own area, the Magic Forest. Buller Kids is for those aged seven to 14.
• Private lessons Available for all ages and skill levels.
• Childcare: On Mountain Baby Sitting offers babysitting services.

Keep reading:

• An Insider’s guide to Thredbo
• Everything you need to know about Hotham Alpine Resort
• 12 fun ways to experience snow with kids

5. Mt Hotham, VIC

Hotham is situated along the ridgetop, and you ski down to the lifts to go exploring the various areas, with 320 hectares of terrain. The Victorian ski resort has family-friendly dining options, a Kids’ Snowzone and snow sports school, and meet and greets with Harry the Snowdragon. For night skiing, head to Dinner Plain on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

• Terrain stats: 20% beginner, 40% intermediate, 40% advanced
• Lifts: 13 (including Dinner Plain)
• Terrain parks: Two
• Group lessons: Hotham offers a wide range of start times, durations and lessons for all ability levels. Choose half- or full-day lessons for Mighty Mites – kids aged three to six, or Kids Club, for those aged seven to 14. Kids lessons are run out of the Big D, a very safe environment for beginners.
• Private lessons There is a variety of private lessons available from Hotham Central or the Big D
• Childcare: Alpine Babysitters cater for kids aged more than 16 months during the day or evening.

Expert picks

Best for beginners

Plenty of gentle runs, separate learning areas, great snow sports schools and crèches.

1. Thredbo
2. Selwyn
3. Mt Buller

Best for advanced families

A variety of good-quality terrain for expert-level teens and their parents.

1. Thredbo
2. Perisher
3. Mt Hotham

Best for all-round family activities

Fun off the slopes, including dog sledding, ice skating, snowshoeing, etc.

1. Thredo
2. Falls Creek
3. Mt Buller

Best village

These villages have the best location, atmosphere and a magical vibe, lots to do, accessible, good shopping and dining.

1. Thredbo
2. Falls Creek
3. Mt Buller

Best freestyle resort

Terrain parks, halfpipes and more slopestyle fun.

1. Perisher
2. Thredbo
3. Falls Creek

Best snow hotel

Best facilities for kids, great location, spacious rooms, good dining options.

1. Astra Falls Creek
2. Man From Snowy River Hotel, Perisher
3. St Falls Resort, Falls Creek

Readers’ choice

1. Thredbo, NSW
2. Perisher, NSW
3. Mt Buller, VIC
4. Falls Creek, VIC
5. Hotham, VIC

BEST SKI RESORTS IN:

AUSTRALIA | NEW ZEALAND | JAPAN | EUROPE | USA | CANADA

Keep reading:

• Australia’s best five-star snow accommodation
• Guide to skiing in Australia with kids
• The best ski hotels in the USA for families