When temperatures rise in the north and the Southern Hemisphere winter sets in, Australia is a great skiing and snowboarding destination.
And Australia has many awesome ski resorts.
But among these, where can you get a serious thigh burn as you ride down one of the longest runs in the country? In addition, where can you dine at the highest restaurant in Australia?
If you guessed Thredbo, you’re right.
If you're considering Thredbo for your next winter trip, you may be wondering what makes it so great. How about this:
Thredbo has twice as much vertical terrain as any other Australian resort. It also has some of the longest ski runs in Australia. In addition, it has one of the best snow parks in Australia with plenty of jumps and rails.
The resort has something for everyone; from beginner skiers and snowboarders to advanced riders. In particular, it has great green and blue runs that are immaculately maintained. This is where thousands of Australians learn to ski or snowboard and advance their skills.
Thredbo Ski Field is estimated to be open
Between Jun 20th to October 1st for the 2023 season.
Ski life services at Thredbo open as early as 9:00 AM and the last to close is at 5:00 PM.
The best time to shred powder at Thredbo is in August. This is when snow conditions are most optimal, with deeper snow and a high likelihood of a powder day.
The Thredbo Ski Resort’s terrain is a snow lovers’ haven. At 672 meters, the resort has the longest vertical drop of all Australian resorts. The vertical is nearly twice that of Perisher and about a quarter that of the Chamonix and Zermatt.
Thredbo is home to some of the longest ski runs in Australia known as the “Big 5.” They include the Village Trail, a 5-kilometer super trail, and the Funnel Web Trail, a 3.7-kilometer stretch of an ungroomed run. The latter is famous for its adrenaline-spiking near-vertical middle section.
Thredbo features about 1,186 acres of skiable terrain that is highly dynamic and suitable for all abilities and levels. The terrain’s stats are as follows:
The Friday Flat is a beginner’s haven located on a gentle gradient with well-groomed slopes. This area features the iconic Kids Snow Festival which has free activities and events during the school holidays. The season-long Kids Flare on Thursday nights has been delighting kids and adults for 30 years since its inception.
Thredbo terrain has a higher proportion of slopes for Intermediate skiers and snowboarders. In particular, they love the cruisers at High Noon.
Advanced snow lovers are also well taken care of. They get treated to great off-piste and backcountry opportunities on The Buff, Dead Horse Gap, and Golf Course Bowl. These sections have advanced terrain with runs classified as single and double black diamond.
Besides skiing and snowboarding, there are many other snow activities to keep the entire family occupied. These include:
The resort has a world-class lift network that provides convenient access to all the slopes.
Merritts Gondola, Australia’s first alpine gondola, was opened in 2020. It offers a fully enclosed transit from the village at the base of the mountain to the Merritts Mountain House. The 8-person gondola transports thrill-seekers in European-style enclosed cabins to an intermediate-friendly Cruise Area. You can also ride the gondola if you wish to have a bite at the Merritts Mountain House.
The other lifts at Thredbo are:
To get a ski pass to Thredbo, you can purchase one from their website’s online store. You can also buy a lift pass when you get to the resort. Keep in mind, though, that if you get your ticket online, you will still need to visit the base camp to get the physical pass that you can use to scan at the lifts.
Thredbo visitors also enjoy competitively priced tickets and generous discounts. The resort offers discounts based on the number of days and has great prices tailored for kids, families, and students. However, it is recommended that you book or purchase your tickets early as they may run out during the season’s peak.
In addition to your lift pass, it is recommended that you also plan ahead for equipment rentals. If you make your bookings online in advance, you’ll enjoy a 20% discount on ski equipment rentals.
Curious to know what the snow is like today at Thredbo Ski Resort?
Check out the following live webcam feed to see what the conditions are like up on the slopes.
By Australian standards, Thredbo has great snow. It gets heavy powdery snow which locals affectionately like to refer to as the Thredbo threadbare cover.
The quality of the snow is due to the fact that the resort has some of the highest lifted terrains in Australia. Thredbo’s ski season can sometimes extend into spring, giving riders extended skiing and snowboarding adventures.
The resort gets an average seasonal snowfall of about 4 meters with a depth of about 1.5 meters. Great snowfall and depths peak in August which is also the best time to visit the resort. When a gust of icy cold wind from Antarctica blows over the resort, it forms dense snow clouds that can dump the white fluff for several days.
To complement the natural snow, the Thredbo Ski Resort has invested in an expansive artificial snow-making system. The system covers 15% of the slopes, ensuring endless fun for snow lovers. In addition, the Thredbo snow-grooming staff keeps the snow in great condition to the delight of guests.
Below you can see the current estimated snow Depth for the Thredbo Ski Resort.
To help you plan your trip beforehand, check out the following graphic to see the currently estimated winter weather forecast for Thredbo Ski Resort.
After a great day shredding powder up on Thredbo’s slopes, you can hit the eponymous village to refuel and rest your weary legs. Thredbo Village is cosmopolitan and is located at the base of the slopes.
There are lots of accommodation options in the village catering to various skier and snowboarder needs and budgets. The accommodation ranges from hotels, apartments, catered lodges, chalets. You’ll find facilities offering deluxe services as well as budget-friendly options. There are also many options offering ski-in/ski-out access.
The village has great nightlife and après-ski. There are many pubs and dignified wine and cocktail bars where you can also enjoy a lively karaoke atmosphere.
If you don’t wish to stay on the mountain or want a wider selection of accommodation and dining options, you can try the nearby Jindabyne City. Jindabyne is about 30 minutes from the resort and has many great options to suit your budget and needs. Some great places you can stay and dine at Jindabyne include Rydges Horizons Snowy Mountains and Alpine Resort Motel.
You can also stay at Lake Crackenback Resort, where you can also catch the ski tube. At Lake Crackenback, you can enjoy a splendid off-mountain experience with a great variety of lodging and dining options.
Thredbo is a fantastic ski destination for a weekend or holiday getaway. In addition, it is a fantastic ski resort where you can stay on the mountain and hit the slopes right from your lodges.
The Thredbo Alpine Hotel is a popular on-mountain accommodation as it is close to the slopes and offers an authentic alpine experience.
There are also several other great options including:
For your handy convince you can check out all the accommodation in one place in the link below.
After a great day shredding powder up on Thredbo’s slopes, you can hit the eponymous village to refuel and rest your weary legs. Thredbo Village is cosmopolitan and is located at the base of the slopes.
There are lots of accommodation options in the village catering to various skier and snowboarder needs and budgets. The accommodation ranges from hotels, apartments, catered lodges, chalets. You’ll find facilities offering deluxe services as well as budget-friendly options. There are also many options offering ski-in/ski-out access.
The village has great nightlife and après-ski. There are many pubs and dignified wine and cocktail bars where you can also enjoy a lively karaoke atmosphere.
If you don’t wish to stay on the mountain or want a wider selection of accommodation and dining options, you can try the nearby Jindabyne City. Jindabyne is about 30 minutes from the resort and has many great options to suit your budget and needs. Some great places you can stay and dine at Jindabyne include Rydges Horizons Snowy Mountains and Alpine Resort Motel.
You can also stay at Lake Crackenback Resort, where you can also catch the ski tube. At Lake Crackenback, you can enjoy a splendid off-mountain experience with a great variety of lodging and dining options.
Thredbo is a fantastic ski destination for a weekend or holiday getaway. In addition, it is a fantastic ski resort where you can stay on the mountain and hit the slopes right from your lodges.
The Thredbo Alpine Hotel is a popular on-mountain accommodation as it is close to the slopes and offers an authentic alpine experience.
There are also several other great options including:
For your handy convince you can check out all the accommodation in one place in the link below.
Like Perisher, Thredbo ski resort is also situated in New South Wales. It is nestled within the Perisher Valley in Australia’s Snowy Mountain range, within the Kosciuszko National Park. It is roughly between Melbourne (about a 6-hour drive) and Sydney (5.5 hours away by car).
The nearest city is Canberra which is about 2.5 hours from the resort. When driving to the resort, visitors take the access road on the eastern side of the resort because it is easier to drive on. You can also access the resort by car or bus from the lakeside town of Jindabyne.
The closest international airport is the Canberra International Airport, where you’ll find an array of transfer options. There are also bus services running from Canberra and Jindabyne to the resort.
The Thredbo Village is pedestrian-only and a car is not required once you are there. For this reason, you’ll find plenty of parking available at the resort. The Thredbo staff will assist you in finding a parking spot once you arrive. The Thredbo parking is a convenient walking distance to the lifts, slopes, restaurants, and bars.
When driving in Australia’s alpine regions, the local administration requires that you carry fitting snow chains for your vehicle. For a proper fit, check your vehicle’s manufacturer and specifications. You’ll find many places where you can hire or purchase snow chains in and around the resort.
Before you embark on your journey in a car, ensure the following:
Thredbo is located in Australia’s Snowy Mountains in the southeastern end of New South Wales in the beautiful Kosciuszko National Park. It is situated between Sydney and Melbourne with Canberra being the nearest city.
Thredbo gets a seasonal average of about 4 meters of fresh snow per year with a depth of 1.5 meters on the slopes.
Thredbo features about 480 ha / 1186 acres of skiable terrain. It features one of the highest vertical elevations at 672 meters, which rivals some of the main Australian and European ski resorts.
Yes, there is ample parking if you wish to stay overnight or for several days at the resort.
Yes, Thredbo is the perfect place to learn to ski or snowboard with a number of gentle beginner runs, gear rentals, and lessons. Thredbo is where thousands of Australians learn to ski or snowboard and you can too if you are a newbie or need to brush up on your skills. Lessons are delivered by qualified and seasoned professionals.
Thredbo Supertrail is 3.7 kilometers and is one of the longest and best ski runs in Australia. It is part of the iconic Big 5, a group of trails that are over three kilometers long.
The Thredbo bell was made to commemorate the ski resort’s 60th anniversary. The ringing of the bell is said to encourage the awakening of the winter spirits (this is taken from a Japanese ski resort tradition)
But can you ring the bell when you visit the resort? Well, you’ll just have to find that out for yourself when you visit Thredbo.