Everything you need to know about Perisher with kids

Perisher, part of the mighty Vail Resorts ski company, links Australian skiing to the world and still offers the best of what’s available down under, as Hilary Doling discovers.

Foaming hot chocolate with whipped cream as high as a mountain peak sat on the table in front of us. We were at the Avalunch Cafe near the base of the Pretty Valley Double Chair, deciding where to ski next. The trail map showed us valleys with names so appealing surely we can’t help but enjoy ourselves: Pretty Valley, Happy Valley and Sun Valley. My son was keen to try Australia‘s only Superpipe housed on Front Valley, and I wanted to test my skills on Mother-in-Law, despite the intimidating name. Whatever we chose, with four valleys and over 3000 acres of snowy terrain, we were spoilt for choice.

Best of all, at the end of the day, we didn’t have far to go for a hot shower and an evening meal because one of the best things about Perisher is the opportunity to stay right on the snow. Families who choose this option reach their accommodation by Hans Oversnow, a transporter with caterpillar treads that crawls slowly up the incline. When we arrive flakes are falling fast, great splodges hitting the windscreen. My son has a grin from ear to ear; falling snow means fun. The lodges scattered around the edge of the slopes look as if they are snoozing under great doonas of the white stuff, piled on their roofs.

Convenience on the slopes

You could drive up from Jindabyne and park your car for the day, but why would you? It is far more exciting to take the Skitube, the special train which whizzes you right up to the centre of Perisher. Those staying on the snow for a few days can park in the overnight car park in Bullocks Flat at the bottom of the Skitube. Simply roll your cases onto the train and porters will help you transport them to the upper level when you arrive.

Once at the top, anywhere you stay on the mountain is just a short walk to a lift or a run and Perisher has a full range of accommodation from star-rated hotels to cosy intimate lodges. We are staying at Perisher Manor, a family-owned and -operated hotel, with an unbeatable location right by the Village 8 Express chair and warm hospitality. It boasts one of only a few truly ski-in, ski-out locations on the mountain.

Perisher’s Snowy Day Care is perfect for the non-skiing littlies. Ski school caters for all ages right up to easily bored teenagers. Kids are grouped with other children of similar age and standard when taking part in any snowsports activities, so new friends are often made on the slopes.

International Appeal

Perisher was established in 1995 following the merger of four separate resorts – Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Mt Blue Cow and Guthega – making it the largest ski resort in the southern hemisphere. Perisher has now joined the mighty Vail Resorts family.

The good news for visitors is that this means you can purchase an Epic Australia Pass which gives you unlimited skiing and boarding at Perisher during the Australian ski season. More than that, it also gives you access to world-class resorts in three more countries. My favourite resorts on the pass include Whistler Blackcomb in Canada, Hakuba and Rusutsu in Japan, and Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Stowe, Okemo, Mount Sunapee, Crested Butte, and Stevens Pass in the USA.

A wealth of activities

However, there’s plenty to entertain in Australia. It takes seven mountain peaks to make up Perisher’s ski area, with 22% of the terrain suiting beginners. The resort’s other credentials are impressive, too. It has 47 lifts, which can shift 53,990 riders per hour. Kids will love the fact there are two Rider X courses, five terrain parks (including one under lights) – more than any other Australian alpine resort. There is also a halfpipe and a mini halfpipe at Yabby Flats.

Add to this the option to try ice skating, tobogganing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and tubing and you may have to stay on snow for the whole season (June to October) just to get through all the activities. Every parent knows that it is hard to scoop ski-mad kids off the slopes at the end of the day. Luckily every Tuesday (all season) and Saturday (July and August) evenings there’s night skiing on Front Valley. We were there on a chilly Tuesday and I wimped out, watching from the window as the chairlift kept going until 9.30pm, carrying hardy skiers up into the misty night.

Hot tips from Ski & Snowboard with Kids editor, Helen Hayes:

• Stay at Corroboree Ski Lodge: At the end of a day exploring far and wide on the snow, it is such a relief to not have to pack the car and drive back to Jindabyne. We only have to walk about 100 metres, leave our skis and boots in the ski room and then head for the bar, where jovial Bob is on hand to make a coffee, hot chocolate or pour a beer or wine. The atmosphere is joyous and energised. Dinner is a treat at Corroboree and one of the reasons they have a high rate of return guests. Everyone dines together and the three courses are sure to delight. The kids’ menu is right on the money – even for fussy little eaters.
• Kid-friendly eats: At Blue Cow, Cowpuccino Café is great for a quick and easy lunch or for a longer affair with more choice, head upstairs. At Perisher, the Mid Perisher Centre is excellent and for an energising hot chocolate, stop off at the Avalunch Café at the bottom of the Pretty Valley chair. At the base of the mountain, the Man From Snowy River hotel is excellent for lunch or for a quick bite, Sundance Bakery is the pick and does great coffee.

This article originally appeared in Ski & Snowboard with Kids magazine. To subscribe to the latest issue, click here.

All images © Perisher Ski Resort