Skiing in NSW

[crazycat]

This is a question for all you Aussies who have previously taken trips to the snow. We have never been before but are planning a long weekend this winter. We are thinking of driving down on a Thursday afternoon and then coming back on a Monday.

We've never been to that area of NSW before and I have never been skiing so am also looking at taking lessons.

Any tips of accommodation, packages, best place to buy or hire ski stuff would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[HalcyonDaze]

Not Selwyn.
It is a nice place for beginners and families, but it doesn't have as good snow coverage as the rest of the area.

Your main options are Thredbo in the village, or Jindabyne to use Perisher etc. You can try and see if you can get into the ballot for places at the YHA at Thredbo, but as it opened March 1, you may be too late.

Other than that, it is so long since I've done a ski trip there I couldn't help you with actual places for accomodation or ski hire.

There is a place just up the road from me that does ski hire, if you want to hire in Sydney (and quite a few others around) but the last time I went we did it in Jindabyne.

To be honest, I'd probably consider flying to Melb or NZ instead.

[ozziegiraffe]

Last time I drove to Thredbo, it snowed while we were there, and we didn't hae chans. It was snowing all the way back to Cooma!
You can drive to Thredbo (with chains, in case) but not to Perisher/Smiggins.

[crazycat]

Thanks guys. Last night we did some more detailed research and it is so expensive! Think it actually works out better if you are a big group or families and you get better deals. Now we're rethinking the trip and wondering whether going to NZ makes more sense.

[StripeySocks]

I haven't looked at this travel section in ages, so not sure if you're still planning a trip to the snow. But I thought I'd add my Cheapo's Guide to Winter Fun:

1. Last year the official ski season was scheduled to finish on XXX (forget exact date), which was only one week into the 2 week Spring school holidays.
2. It was a good ski season in NSW last year, so a couple of weeks before the scheduled end of season, several of the resorts - Thredbo and Perisher included - extended their season by a week to try and capture some of that school holiday market.
3. I jumped online and found some very, very, very cheap accommodation. A lovely two bedroom, two bathroom, two level apartment right in Thredbo village. The rentals were charging out-of-season prices even though the season was extended.
4. Thredbo had some good coverage, especially up high and the main chairlifts and t-bars were operating. A bit patchy on the lower slopes, but still skiable due to man-made snow on the runs.
5. No crowds. No waiting for lifts. One downside - some of the bars/restaurants had closed, but we didn't have too much trouble finding somewhere to eat.
6. Gear - before leaving Sydney, we went to Anaconda which had a massive sale on ski gear (cause the season had officially ended) and got 60% of ski pants, gloves etc. Hired kids' gear and my jacket in Jindabyne - again discounted for time of year.
7. My favourite place - the drive between Perisher and Charlotte's Pass - stunning. And being so late in the year, the road to Charlotte's was actually open to cars. Really beautiful. Tons of snow up near Charlottes (the resort was closed), but great for snow-walking around and looking out on the main range. Also some good tobogganing near the river between Perisher and CP.

Not sure whether this year's ski season is scheduled in the same way, but it was a great/cheap trip.

I just saw some ads for NZ ski holidays on the weekend. Very tempting.