A checklist of things to know before skiing in Thredbo

A charming village life, epic all-night parties and intermediate-skewed slopes make skiing in Thredbo a winter holiday favourite.

What makes cashing in your annual leave for a visit to this NSW ski resort worth it? A long list of things spanning family-friendly thrills, unforgettable bar hopping and a diverse mix of accommodation options. To help set up a hitch-free adventure, we’ve jotted down the key things to wrap your head around before skiing Thredbo.

1. If you’re after apres, skiing Thredbo is your best bet

The Apres Bar is a top spot for live music and a buzzing atmosphere. (Image: Destination NSW)

While none of Australia’s alpine resorts can quite compare to the scenes in Europe, Thredbo is the country’s best contender. It’s home to impressive bars, some of which double as clubs, and caters to a wide array of punters.

Make a beeline for local stalwart, the Après Bar in The Denman Hotel. It’s home to live music and a huge range of spirits including when-in-Rome schnapps. The party kicks off at 4pm from Thursday to Monday.

Fancy a more relaxed post-piste drink in the company of an open fireplace, while relaxing on leather sofas and armchairs overlooking snow-capped mountains? Visit Lounge Bar in the Thredbo Alpine Hotel from 3pm on Fridays. While cocktails, including a dedicated menu of martinis, roll out ahead of the weekend, the central meeting spot is a magnet for groups (including exhausted little ones) who laze around those charred logs to defrost in style.

There’s also Kareela Hutte , a winter-only ski-in, ski-out venue dishing up exquisite a la carte meals and premium cocktails, beer and wine. For tasty home-made Glühwein over live music, try the bar at the River Inn hotel near Friday Flat with its spacious, atmospheric deck. From November to April, the bar morphs into a Gin Lab, serving up gin flights that present homemade creations utilising quality gin found throughout the state. Think chocolate, raspberry, blood orange, chilli and more.

2. There’s plenty of life beyond skiing in Thredbo

The Snowies Alpine Walk is one of Thredbo’s popular adventures. (Image: Destination NSW)

The name is synonymous with hot chocolate and snowball fights, but Thredbo is alive during summer when nature lovers seize the opportunity to explore without throwing on all the layers. Featuring spectacular hikes, including the Snowies Alpine Walk and others that scale Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest mountain, and the fun-for-all-ages Thredbo Mountain Bike Park, the town offers good clean adventure all year round. While puffy jackets might have your name on them this year, future holiday temptation of the warm weather variety will likely prove tempting.

3. A free shuttle bus helps you get around

Thredbo shuttle bus — Take a shuttle bus to explore Thredbo fuss-free. (Image: Destination NSW)

While Thredbo is small in scale compared to other Aussie ski resorts, it’s not a walking town. It’s naturally hilly and getting to restaurants and bars from your accommodation will require far too much effort, particularly with heavy gear in tow. The solution? A complimentary shuttle bus that carts visitors right around the village. Four routes run regularly with multiple drop-off and pick-up points, making your exploration cheaper, faster and much toastier. Check out the shuttle map via Thredbo’s website to help plan your days.

4. You’ll need to pay a Kosciuszko National Park entry fee

Factor a small national park fee into your budget as all vehicles that enter Thredbo will need to cough up. When you’re driving in via either Alpine Way or Kosciuszko Road, you’ll come across a vehicle entry station which charges $29 per vehicle per day. If you’re visiting outside of June to October, the price drops to $17 per vehicle per day. If you’re eyeballing multiple Thredbo skiing trips in one year, consider an annual pass, available for purchase via the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services’ website .

5. Travellers with access needs are welcome

Disability parking, sealed paths and accessible facilities can all be found in Thredbo. The car parks are well marked along Friday Drive, both in front of the Thredbo Alpine Hotel and within the accommodation’s car park, plus there’s more priority parking at the Thredbo Leisure Centre and the Friday Flat car park. As for safe walking routes, visitors with access needs can navigate the length of Friday Drive with ease. Accessible bathrooms can be found along Friday Drive, within the village square, at the Valley Terminal located at the base of the Kosciuszko Chairlift, at the Thredbo Leisure Centre and at Friday Flat.

6. It’s a mecca for intermediate skiers and snowboarders

skiing in Thredbo — Thredbo offers a good balance of enjoyable and challenging terrain. (Image: Destination NSW)

Nearly 70 per cent of the pistes at Thredbo can be classed as intermediate, which makes it a great spot for those who’ve already dabbled in skiing or snowboarding and are looking to level up their proficiency.

There’s the wicked Supertrail, which rings in at 3.7 glorious kilometres, as well as the longest vertical drop of all the Aussie ski resorts clocking in at 672 metres. Beyond its 50+ kilometres of slopes, Thredbo also has five terrain parks, complete with jumps and rails to help you get the most out of skiing in Thredbo.

7. It’s big on amenities despite its size

food and drinks at Cascades Restaurant, Thredbo — Sample local favourites from the seasonal menu at Cascades Restaurant.

If the amount of skiable terrain available is a deciding factor for your next holiday on the slopes, then Perisher does have an edge over Thredbo. After all, you can’t argue with the fact that Perisher is the largest ski area not only in Australia, but the Southern Hemisphere.

However, when it comes to atmosphere and amenities, Perisher doesn’t hold a candle to Thredbo. Skiing in Thredbo comes with a tiny but mighty village at the base of the mountains so chasing that après life is a cinch.

A diverse variety of hotels, lodges, chalets and apartments glitter with mountain views and there’s also dining experiences tapping into all your favourite international cuisines.

A collection of stores to pick up last-minute ski garb is also on hand. The range of ski-in/ski-out properties available is, however, more limited than at other ski resorts across NSW and Victoria but the ones Thredbo does contain deliver magical snow-scattered experiences every season.

8. It’s one of only two Australian ski fields included on the Ikon Pass

Keen skiers looking to get more bang for their buck (and ski across the globe) should investigate the Ikon Pass which covers both Thredbo and Mount Buller in Australia.

Internationally, the multi-resort multi-day pass grants access to more than 60 ski resorts across Europe, the USA, South America and Canada, plus Japan’s Niseko United and Arai Mountain Resort, and New Zealand’s Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt.

9. Yes, you can bring the kids

The Family Flare Run is an unforgettable event for kids and adults alike. (Image: Destination NSW)

With a string of dedicated ski programs catering to those aged anywhere from three up to 17, it’s fair to say Thredbo is a family-friendly resort. And if you feel like your little one needs extra special attention, private ‘It’s All About Me’ lessons for children aged from two to four, plus private lessons for those aged five and over, are on the table.

Lift passes are also heavily discounted for children with rates increasing incrementally up until 21 years of age. Patient mums and dads can also take to the slopes with the kids — Friday Flat is perfect for beginners, though critics may caution that the snow at the base of the mountain has a tendency to verge towards slushy. Regardless, its easy-going slopes are made for youngsters.

The kids’ action doesn’t stop there. There are truckloads of kid-focused activities for families skiing Thredbo. Every Thursday, as dusk falls, the resort stages its Family Flare Run and there are school holiday Snow Festivals that include movie nights, fire pit S’mores making, face painting, trampoline sessions and more.

10. It’s home to Australia’s only alpine Gondola

A scenic adventure in itself, Thredbo’s Merritts Gondola is an eight-person, fully enclosed Euro-style cable car that travels from the base of the village, right near the Kosciuszko Chairlift, to Merritts Mountain House at the base of the Cruiser area, in just six minutes.

It’s fast and warm, making the six-minute journey up the stunning powder-laced hill completely cosy, recharging and breathtaking. And again, it’s a fabulous kid-friendly activity as there’s an unofficial yet spacious patch of powder right when you step off the Gondola that begs for children to build a snowman or throw a few balls at their parents.

When the chill gets the better of you all, pop back on the Gondola for a quick return to Village life. How convenient.

11. If you don’t have gear, you can rent just about everything

Kits from top skiing brands can be easily loaned. (Image: Destination NSW)

If skiing is more of a once-every-few-years type of holiday, you don’t need to pour money into sourcing an entire kit before you go. All the flashy sporting brands including Rossignol, Nitro and Burton can be loaned through a rental package right at the base of the mountains, which is also going to cut your luggage size down dramatically.

Choose from clothing or equipment packages and let the team size you up for the perfect fits and thrills. There are also discounts to be snapped up if you book the packages with your lift passes prior to skiing Thredbo.

Plus, two ground-level chairlift locations situated next to car parks and accommodation, are fitted with lockers to make changing in and out of your chic on-mountain ‘fit extremely convenient.

Originally written by Chloe Cann with updates by Kristie Lau-Adams

Discover the best things to do in Thredbo

Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city’s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.

Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.

Where to stay

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney . The hotel is an icon in its own right – nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney’s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved – providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney’s history.

Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn’t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney Heritage Long Suite bathroom — Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.

Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.

The team at this five-star hotel provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel’s club floors and suites.

Add to this a central location in the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions, and convenience meets style.

Where to drink & dine

1. The Bar

the Fullerton Hotel afternoon tea at the bar — Indulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.

Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea .

Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you’re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.

The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of Australia’s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.

On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.

Can’t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate crémeux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Azélia chocolate sauce. ⁣

2. The Place

the Fullerton Hotel the place dining — Dine in the stunning GPO atrium.

On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place – the hotel’s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium’s natural light.

3. Local gelato

Couple enjoying ice-creams at First Fleet Park, The Rocks — Enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)

What is summer without ice cream and/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you’re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.

What to do/see

1. GPO Heritage Tour

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney lobby — Be awed by the building’s history.

Want to know more about the building you’re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.

From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.

2. Circular Quay

aerial of circular quay sydney — Catch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)

An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It’s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney’s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.

3. Royal Botanic Gardens

view of circular quay from Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden — Wander through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden – exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.

It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.

4. Theatre Royal

Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).

Start planning a summer stay in Sydney worth remembering at fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-sydney.