HERE COMES SKI SEASON!
THE COUNTDOWN IS ON FOR THE OPENING OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND’S SNOWFIELDS. HERE’S WHERE TO HIT THE SLOPES
QUEENSTOWN SKI FIELDS, NZ
Not only are they spectacular to view, but Queenstown ski fields The Remarkables and Coronet Peak on NZ’S South Island are making learning to ski a lot easier. Beginners should note the aptly named 385-hectare Remarkables ski field, 40 minutes from Queenstown, has extended the learner terrain by 70 per cent. And across the Queenstown valley, Coronet Peak has also reconfigured the beginners’ area for adults and children. Also new is a better food and beverage operation, plus snow-making infrastructure developments. Visit nzski.com.
FALLS CREEK, VIC
Not only can you expect fantastic terrain for all levels at Falls Creek, families can expect appearances on the slopes from the likes of Nickelodeon’s PAW Patrol pups, Spongebob Squarepants and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They’ll be ambassadors at the Snowsports School, which has tuition programs for children aged 3-17 years across the season. There’s also a women’s only ski school. Want to save on your family adventure? Look online for lift pass deals. Go to skifalls.com.au.
MOUNT HOTHAM, VIC
Australia’s ‘powder capital’ just got even more exciting and not just for skiers and snowboarders. Here you can partake in sunset and grooming tours, snow-kiting, dog sled adventures and mini-skidoo rides. There’s even a Toboggan Park for the kids. Expect piles of snow because the area regularly posts some of Victoria’s highest annual snowfalls. There’s handy ski-in, ski-out accommodation and 13 lifts to get you up the mountain. After a day on the snow you can dine at one of the mountain’s restaurants or at Ramada Resort’s Element in luxurious Dinner Plain.
Visit mthotham.com.au.
THREDBO, NSW
Voted Australia’s best ski resort, the alpine village of Thredbo is in the heart of Kosciuszko National Park, about a five-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney and six-and-a-half hours from Melbourne. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a pro to tackle the slopes, the Friday Flat area is the perfect beginners’ run. If you go in the school holidays you can experience The Kids Snow Festival with movie and pizza nights and a special kids’ flare run. Everything here is within walking distance. And perish the thought of a ski trip being too expensive with Thredbo winter lodge accommodation available from $83 per person per night. thredbo.com.au.
MT RUAPEHU, NZ
The North Island’s highest mountain has some of New Zealand’s longest ski runs. No matter what your level, everyone has a run, from learner slopes at Happy Valley to the natural half pipes from Whakapapa’s old lava flows. During the NZ school holidays, the kids join the Holiday Crew program, which will have them carving the powder in no time. Need to brush up on your own ski or snowboarding skills? Book an adult weekend program. Go to mtruapehu.com.