Perisher Blue ski resort

So the snow on the other side of the World has been pretty epic this year if you listen to our southern hemisphere friends on Twitter. As I get the daily updates of how much is falling where, I started to think maybe I need to try a ski holiday over there one year. It might be getting too late to go out this year, but there’s no harm thinking about next year!

Australia’s skiing is limited to two states, New South Wales and Victoria, along with some skiing in Tasmania. Altogether Australia has about 12 ski areas, the major and most known ones are Thredbo and Perisher Blue in New South Wales, where Australias highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko (2228m) dominates the scenery. Perisher Blue is the largest ski area in the country and in fact is the combination of four ski areas that have linked together over time.

Coronet Peak ski resort

New Zealand definitely has a greater quantity of skiing, and in fact, Australians commonly pop over to take their ski holiday in New Zealand rather than frequenting one of their own resorts. The main areas in New Zealand to ski are Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Wanaka, Methven and Cardrona (all on South Island).  Arguarbly the best ski area is Wanaka, though Cardrona suits well for beginners or off piste, so good for mixed groups. Alongside these major areas, there are a number of smaller areas such as Porter Heights, Mount Lyford and Rainbow many of which started out as club fields. All of New Zealand’s ski areas have virtually no on mountain accommodation, you have to drive to the slopes apart from on sone club fields.

One of the major reasons to go to New Zealand for skiing is for heli skiing in the Harris Mountains, Mount Cook and in the Arrowsmith Mountains.

Most ski resorts in Australia and New Zealand open up in June. The season will go on until September or early October in a good season. Some better lying resorts in New Zealand will go on even longer.

Go on, you know you need another ski holiday in the summer too!