Snowy Mountains are the winter playground of New South Wales and are located around mid way between Sydney and Melbourne, just south of Canberra. Although it does often surprise overseas visitors, it does snow in parts of Australia and there is a healthy and respectable ski season. Snowy Mountains or 'The Snow' as Australians fondly call the region, is in Kosciuszko National Park and is home to the NSW winter ski resorts of Perisher Blue, Thredbo, Smiggin Holes, Blue Cow, Selwyn Snowfields and Charlottes Pass.
| Weather permitting, the ski season usually lasts from June to August and often extends well into September and early October. When the snow melts and skiing is adjourned until the season resumes, it’s the exciting beginning of the other face of the Snowy Mountains – bush walking, cycling, horse riding and water sports. For lovers of the great outdoors, the "Snowies" will not disappoint, whatever the season.
|  | The Kosciuszko National Park was brought to life when the Snowy Mountain Hydro Electric Scheme, or 'Snowy River Scheme', was established as new roads made a once impassable terrain accessible. The reserve set in 1,2450 sq. miles is rich in rare plants and animals and offers a variety of landscapes and vegetation.
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Snowy Mountains prettiest and most stylish village and ski resort is Thredbo (which is also a great place to stay during the rest of the year). Thredbo really does have an almost European Alpine village ambience complete with picturesque chalets perched on the mountainside, a pleasant mostly car free village centre with many hotels, restaurants, bars, boutiques, heated pool and gymnasium. A toboggan ride is a fun addition to the activities in Thredbo and is located just along from the chair lift station. The village, which is regarded as perhaps the more chic and luxurious of the Snowy Mountains resorts, offers excellent Skiing with the longest Ski runs in Australia-Thredbo has 50% more vertical skiing than any other Australian ski resort. Thredbo has some dramatic, fast and steep runs and is probably for the more experienced skier although it does have a good selection of nursery and lower level slopes-Fridays Flat for example. Chair and drag lifts ascend from the ski centre and there is an exhilarating chair lift ride up towards Mt Kosciuszko and the Eagles Nest Mountain Hut, Australia's highest restaurant at 1940m. Mt Kosciuszko stands at 2,228 metres and was named after a Polish patriot by the mountains’ discoverer.
 | Perisher Blue has the largest area of inter connected groomed ski runs in Australia and is also the most popular ski resort in the country. Perisher Blue has a more laid back feel in comparison with Thredbo and a wide variety of on and off piste accommodation of all standards. Apres Ski is an extremely important factor on any skiing holiday and this has not been left out from the Snowy Mountains skiing experience. There is a unique blend of European and Australia style which is sure not to disappoint. Schnapps is a popular drink in all ski resorts it seems.
| The extensive network of chair and drag lifts means that you can explore and ski on a different run each time if you wish. Snow making in Perisher and Thredbo is performed on an almost industrial scale to hopefully ensure a good snow coverage even during the driest of winters. Perisher has longer runs (although with a slightly lower vertical drop) than Thredbo and is a great place to learn to ski as well as taking on exciting black runs. www.perisherblue.com.au |  | Jindabyne
Snowy Mountains biggest town of Jindabyne, known locally as 'Jindy', is located at the junction of Alpine Way (leading to Thredbo) and the road leading through the Perisher Valley to the resorts of Perisher Blue, Smiggin Holes, Selwyn Snowfields and Charlottes Pass. Many visitors choose to stay here as it allows them the choice of skiing at several Snowy Mountains resorts during the same holiday. It is a relatively short drive to the resorts but snow chains must usually be fitted to allow safe travel on snow covered roads. Jindabyne is a relatively large town with a good choice of accommodation of all standards. The town sits aside Lake Jindabyne. for more information visit www.discoverjindabyne.com | The Ski Tube
Snowy Mountains Ski Tube is an 8.5Km railway with over 6km of tunnel literally through the mountain side to connect Alpine Way, Bullocks Flat near Thredbo to the Perisher Valley. The Ski Tube was constructed primarily to improve access to the resorts of Perisher Blue etc in the Perisher Valley. There are occasions where the Perisher Valley access road is impassable from Jindabyne and the only way to the resorts is to drive up Alpine Way to the Ski Tube station at Bullocks Flat. It also allows visitors staying in Thredbo to ski in the Perisher Valley resorts and vice versa. |
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