When Is the Best Time to Ski in Australia: The Two Factors To Consider

by Frank V. Persall

The premier destination for skiing in Australia is the Snowy Mountains.

Do you want to experience its slopes but have no idea when to schedule your trip?

If your answer is yes, look no further. We're here to help!

In our guide, you'll learn all about when's the best time to ski in Australia. We'll even give you some tips so that you'll have the trip of a lifetime!

When Is the Best Time to Ski in Australia: The Two Factors To Consider
When Is the Best Time to Ski in Australia: The Two Factors To Consider

The Best Time To Take A Ski Holiday In Australia

Let's start by getting straight to the point. There are TWO main factors to consider if you're wondering when's the best time to ski in Australia.

We'll cover them both below so that scheduling your trip to the Snowy Mountains will be easier!

The Best Weather Conditions

If you want to experience the best snow conditions, JULY and AUGUST are the coldest months.

These are the months with the most snowfall and when ski resorts can make snow! The most snow falls during September in some seasons though. So watch out for that!

A downside is that snow cover can be patchy during poor snow years. Temperatures can be too high for snowmaking and peak season attractions like First Tracks at Mount Hotham aren't even available.

The Best Prices

If you're looking for a bang-for-your-buck experience, remember this.

If you don't have kids, AVOID the July school holidays!

"Why should I avoid this season though?"

It's pretty simple. It's the season when prices for accommodations and lift passes are the HIGHEST! Not just that, queues can be as long as a HUNDRED METERS!

All possible excitement for this particular season just went out the window, right?

If you want to save money and avoid crowds, we recommend scheduling your snow season trip on dates before the school holidays.

Here are specific dates you should be aware of:

  • The school holidays start in Victoria on June 30.
  • For New South Wales, it starts on July 7.

You can even go during the spring season if you want, which starts in September. In fact, most ski resorts call this VALUE SEASON.

"What's so special about the value season?"

This might surprise you. It's the CHEAPEST TIME where costs of accommodations and lift passes can be as low as 50% of what you'll pay during the July school holidays! A big plus is slopes are less crowded too!

Pro Tip: Try to book a couple to a few months out from the peak season. Most resorts offer sweet discounts and packages for booking in advance. Some early planning helps!

Snow Quality In Australia's Snowy Mountains

Powder snow can be found all across the resorts in Australia. If you're looking for the best snow all season, it helps to be FLEXIBLE.

Here are some tips to be aware of the best snow cover:

  • Remember to keep a close eye on each resort's online snow forecast. If a big storm is predicted, be ready to go.
  • Fresh snow gets tracked quickly in Australia. Keep this in mind too. If you sleep in, you'll miss it! You wouldn't want that, right?
  • Be ready to be the first out on the mountain! Watch out for resorts offering passes that give you early access to their slopes. Others even open early through peak season!

New South Wales And Victoria: Home To The Best Ski Resorts In Australia

Aside from providing the best experiences to enjoy the Snowy Mountains, the resorts in New South Wales and Victoria go ABOVE and BEYOND.

They offer the following activities besides skiing and snowboarding:

  • Tobogganing
  • Snow tubing
  • Snowshoeing
  • Night skiing
  • Fireworks

Their capability for large-scale snowmaking is also a plus! You can confidently book knowing that snow will be on the ground when you arrive!

They even make your stay EVEN BETTER with:

  • Excellent food and beverage
  • Complete children’s facilities
  • A wide selection of accommodation options
  • Up-to-date lift systems

Your trip will surely be memorable!

Here are the best resorts you can find in New South Wales and Victoria.

1. Thredbo, New South Wales

Thredbo, New South Wales
Thredbo, New South Wales
If you're after long runs and a lively après scene, this mountain is for you!

It boasts the Thredbo Supertrail, Australasia's longest ski run! That's 5.9 kilometers (3.7 miles) of groomed snow!

ADVANCED SKIERS longing for challenging terrain can try The Bluff or even go to Dead Horse Gap for some back-country skiing. They even have areas great for intermediates and beginners!

Looking to feast or grabbing a few drinks during your trip? They have a great selection of bars and restaurants!

Want to wake up to spectacular views of the mountain? Try The Eastern! It's the perfect place to get some shuteye after hitting the slopes and enjoying a night in the town.

You're in for a long road trip if you're coming from Sydney though. It's a six-hour drive!

2. Perisher Blue, New South Wales

Perisher Blue, New South Wales
Perisher Blue, New South Wales
What makes Perisher Blue one of the best Australian ski resorts?

One BIG reason, it's the largest ski resort in Australia! It boasts the largest resort terrain in Australasia!

Do you want 1,200 hectares (2,965 acres) of skiable goodness? Then this resort is for you!

Perisher Blue is six hours south of Sydney. So if you're traveling from there, prepare for a looong road trip.

Just a heads up, there's no central village at Perisher. You can stay on-mountain at Perisher though. Plus there's no harm in having fun with your fellow guests over dinner.

Skiers, from beginners to experts, will love the rolling slopes at Perisher. EVEN KIDS would love the terrain park! Many Olympic and X Games skiers and boarders train here too!

3. Falls Creek, Victoria

Falls Creek, Victoria
Falls Creek, Victoria
Falls Creek is the largest ski resort in Victoria and also boasts the prettiest ski field in Australia!

It's a pedestrian-only village, so prepare for everything to be ski-in/ski-out!

450 hectares (1,111 acres) are dedicated to two snow sports: skiing and snowboarding. You can even go sled riding when you take the Steve Lee Backcountry Tour hosted by the Australian Olympian himself!

It's also great for families given that it has a thriving school and child-dedicated runs!

This resort also has great accommodations, spa facilities, and places for hearty meals!

What's great about Falls creek is it's only four and a half hours from Melbourne or two hours from Albury airport. The drive won't be too long!

4. Mount Hotham, Victoria

Mount Hotham, Victoria
Mount Hotham, Victoria
Looking for steeper and deeper runs? Then Mount Hotham should be your destination!

Mount Hotham, the sister mountain to Falls Creek, has an impressive mix of terrain good for intermediates to experts!

They even have a beginners' area with a dedicated chairlift and kids' ski school! You can take a husky sled dog tour if you want a different experience!

The village at Mount Hotham is unlike the others. It's perched on top of the mountain rather than at the base.

Your first trip of the day will be skiing down to the chairlift, but you’ll be sleeping in your hotel high above the clouds!

If you want a hearty meal after all your snow activities, head over to Dinner Plain.

Imagine an Alpine village full of bars and restaurants! You can even get a traditional spa treatment and find accommodations there!  

It's a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Melbourne. If you're coming from there, you'll still have enough energy once you arrive!

5. Mount Buller, Victoria

Mount Buller, Victoria
Mount Buller, Victoria
The biggest advantage of Mount Buller is its proximity to Melbourne. It's only a little over three hours away!

It has more than 300 hectares (741 acres) of skiable terrain and 80 kilometers (49 miles) of marked trails. They have a decent mix of beginner to advanced courses put together.

A big feature of Mount Buller is it has the largest lift network in Victoria! 

Want to see the world's best? Mount Buller is also home to many of Australia’s Winter Olympians and the resort REGULARLY HOSTS competitive events!

They have activities kids would love too. One example is dog sledding! Your kids can strap in and ride a traditional sled pulled along by a team of racing huskies!

Other facilities would be great restaurants, bars, and hotels. You can find everything else you need for a great holiday in Mount Buller's village!

Why Take a Ski Season Trip in Australia

One big reason is the number of CHOICES available to have the best experience!

There are close to 20 skiing areas split between New South Wales and Victoria! These two Australian states are where you can find Australia's best ski resorts!

Not only that, all the resorts are keen on providing a wonderful snow experience during the winter months!

Since we're already talking about resorts, we'll show you where you can experience the best of the Snowy Mountains!

Are You Ready To Head To The Snowy Mountains

We're sure you are!

We'll just sum up what we've talked about into key points you should remember:

  • For the best weather conditions, JULY and AUGUST are the coldest months in Australia! The most snow falls in SEPTEMBER in some seasons though. Watch out for that!
  • For the best PRICES, avoid the school holidays in July! Everything costs the HIGHEST during this time.
  • If you're looking for the best quality of snow, be FLEXIBLE! You should always keep a close eye on forecasts and be ready.
  • Resorts in Australia go ABOVE and BEYOND to provide the best winter experience!
  • New South Wales and Victoria are home to the BEST resorts!

If you have any questions, just leave a comment below. For more information and great ski advice, you can head to our skiing blog!

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About Frank V. Persall

Frank is originally from the UK, but he has a passion for skiing that knows no bounds. He has made it his life's mission to visit the best ski resorts across the USA and the World. Frank loves spending time with his wife and three children on ski slopes, as they all share his love for the activity.

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