- Australian Traveller
- NSW
- Snowy Mountains
- Thredbo
- The ultimate guide to Thredbo Ski Resort – from stays to ski lessons
01 August 2023
5 mins Read
Labelled Australia’s best skiing destination six years consecutively at the World Ski Awards, Thredbo Ski Resort is the ultimate winter escape.
A five-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney and Melbourne, the adventure playground is filled with wonderful dining experiences, renowned après-ski entertainment, utterly charming accommodation and some of the world’s best slopes. Here, we’ve crafted the ultimate travel companion to help you experience it all.
From the snow-capped chalets of your dreams to budget-friendly stays right in the action, Thredbo Ski Resort is home to a wide range of accommodation options. If it’s village life you’re keen to soak up, complete with killer bars, shops and excellent eateries, a collection of hotels and resorts within walking distance to the chairlifts provides plenty of safe options.
Sip a steaming cup of coffee overlooking the slopes.
Thredbo Alpine Hotel is a standout, mere steps away from the foot of the mountains, as is River Inn on the fringe of the village if you’re all about location.
Self-contained apartments and Airbnbs also dot the village, making catering for families a lot easier (and cheaper), and there are extremely lavish chalets and lodges to indulge in with many offering ski-in/ski-out access.
Curl up on the couch of your suite at Thredbo Alpine Hotel.
If money’s tight, there are also fantastic caravan parks to choose from that offer all the facilities including drying rooms and equipment hire. You’ll need to drive a little as they’re located mostly around Jindabyne, a 30-minute trip from Thredbo, but they’re a popular option and set in stunning locations.
Sure, all the extracurricular activities are epic but Thredbo Ski Resort is world-renowned for its distinct offering of skiing and snowboarding, with the Thredbo ski season kicking off on the June long weekend every year and wrapping up on the October long weekend.
Bring your little ones along to learn to ski at Thredbo.
Experienced snow bunnies will love the country’s longest ski runs including the five-kilometre High Noon trail, renowned for its steep terrain. There’s also the five-kilometre Village Trail that’s incredible scenic.
Get amongst the action at Thredbo Ski Resort.
On the other end of the spectrum, the gentle slopes of Friday Flat are the perfect spot for beginners and children, home to a range of Thredbo ski and snowboarding lessons including private tutorials, kids’ group lessons and daily adult group lessons. Novice adventure seekers also have Freddie’s Snowrunner to play with, a 98-metre-long tunnel that protects skiers from natural elements (and other riders).
Soar confidently or shred like an action hero? Go the 3.7-kilometre Supertrail for high-speed turns.
Experienced skiers or snowboarders can carve up the 3.7-kilometre Supertrail.
To get to the top of the mountains, you’ll need a lift pass that provides access to Thredbo Ski Resort’s chairlifts and the Merritts Gondola, a European-style, fully enclosed cable car.
Enjoy a scenic ride on the Merritts Gondola.
Thredbo ski passes should be purchased in advance to avoid having to queue and save you money. You can also purchase an individual Merritts Gondola pass, but you’ll get more value for money if you package the lot.
Soak up the cold mountain air at Thredbo Ski Resort.
One-day adult lift passes start from $199 and adult season passes start from around $1600, but it’s worth noting that season passes sell out well in advance of the Thredbo ski season so forward planning is paramount. Children’s day lift passes start from as little as $16 and around $69 for season passes but prices rise steeply depending on the child’s age.
Elevate your skiing and snowboarding experience with an Ikon Pass.
Plus, it’s worth remembering you can always hire your snow gear to help minimise your luggage and keep costs down, and that includes clothing and boots in addition to sporting equipment.
Premium rentals and sports rentals include skis and poles, or a snowboard, helmet and boots and prices start from $115 per day. One-day clothing rentals start from $79. There are two spots to collect your gear: the Thredbo Valley Rental Terminal right near Guest Services and Thredbo Rental Friday Flat, right near Friday Flat.
All the ski gear you need is available to hire.
One of the biggest teases ever instigated by the Thredbo Ski Resort team, Thredbo snow cams are cameras that have been set up to stream real-time footage from various trails and hot spots on the official Thredbo website.
If you’re counting down to your trip, or have recently departed, they instil total FOMO thanks to clear-as-day videos showcasing just how much fun is being had without you.
Die-hard skiers can literally watch the snow fall online at the Thredbo Snow Cam.
Snow cams cover the Cruiser Area, Basin T-Bar, High Noon, Friday Flat, Kosciuszko Walking Trail and Central Spur intermediate area and provide an always-on indication of what to expect from Mother Nature when you hit the slopes.
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