The land down under, it’s got gorgeous serene landscapes, deadly snakes and crawlies, beautiful coastal towns, but most importantly to us; some world-class mountains for shredding in the winter! 

We’re not going to lie, maybe ski resorts aren’t high on the list of things that Australia is renowned for – but that doesn’t stop this great southern land from having some incredible resorts and mountains to keep the pow coming from June through to August (and sometimes September if the Aussie winter has some bite). 

For this guide, we have whittled down a list of 5 of the best ski resorts Australia has. If you notice that these 5 resorts are only located in Victoria and NSW, it isn’t because we’ve skipped out on our other great states, but simply because these are the only two states with ski resorts in Australia. So with that in mind, it’s time to hop in the old commodore, put on some INXS and get ready to hit those slopes as we give you our guide to the best places to ski in Australia!

Perisher, NSW

Source image: Tourism Australia

To kick things off we are going to start with the biggest ski resort in Australia. Perisher is renowned for being perfect for all experience types if you’re planning a getaway for a group of various skill sets on the slopes. 

Big swooping groomed plains with a fair share of ski schools and holiday programs, we would also argue it is one of the best ski resorts in Australia for kids. This shouldn’t deter you if you are planning on hitting up the slopes for some proper runs, with a large share of ungroomed and double black diamond runs to push even the most experienced skiers to the edge. 

Five hours out from Sydney, Perisher is one of the best family ski resorts in Australia thanks to its incredible range of on-mountain stays and a blend of challenging and easy runs. With 113 runs across 47 lifts, you will have plenty of time to traverse Perisher whether by yourself or with loved ones!

Did the 113 runs have you sold? Find out how to get there and where to stay in our guide to the Australian skiing season.

Thredbo, NSW

Source image: Tourism Australia

The highest ski resort in Australia, what Thredbo lacks in sheer size, it makes up for in style. 53 large and steep trails across 14 lifts, Thredbo boast steep and bold trails that have kept avid skiers entertained for decades. 

The renowned Australian skiing resort is a nice five-hour drive away from Sydney and is one of the more prestigious ski resorts that come with a bit more of a price tag in comparison to the other resorts on this list. 

Known as one of the premier Australian ski resorts, Thredbo caters to the more professional and keen skier, and this is largely in part to the incredible amount of snow coverage in the lead-up to opening day most years. With a great range of hiring options, school holiday programs and on-mountain staying options, Thredbo is perfect for those skiing families that want to take their skills to the next level.

Spoilt for choice? This article on Perisher Vs Thredbo may help with settling on a final destination. 

Mount Hotham, VIC

Source image: Tourism Australia

The highest ski resort in Victoria, we see Mount Hotham as being one of, if not the best ski resort for beginners in Australia. Mount Hotham flexes versatility with wide-open groomed runs that are stunning to tackle for the first time. These large playground-type spaces allow beginners to not feel boxed in and welcome spreading out across the slopes, so it never really feels terribly busy on a big day. 

The beauty of Mount Hotham is that despite its verticality it has some huge runs for beginners to learn on at the top of the mountain, and gives those trying out the snow for the first time a gentle push to go higher up the mountain without sacrificing the more accommodating run. 4.5 hours out from Melbourne located in Victorian High Country, Mount Hotham has 72 runs across 14 lifts and is a great choice whether you’re a skier or snowboarder alike. 

Falls Creek, VIC

Image Source: Tourism Australia

Falls Creek is one of the great classic ski resorts Australia has to offer. Just under five hour’s drive from the Melbourne CBD, Falls Creek has the largest skiable area in Victoria with 90 runs very much spread across 14 lifts. 

Known more for its skiing-friendly runs than its boarding runs, Falls has a lot of flatter runs that encourage skiers to get their poles working, much to the frustration of unassuming snowboarders. To make up for this, Falls Creek has one of Australia’s best terrain parks and has enough jumps, rails and boxes to keep boarders entertained for hours on end. Falls is also one of the best family ski resorts in Australia, thanks to its vast number of runs that travel from beginner to expert – helping out younger riders to embrace each step up in difficulty with ease and excitement. Having a difficulty curve that allows for greater time on each run and heading to a more challenging run that isn’t too difficult is perfect for those trying to learn. 

Need on-snow accommodation that allows you to hit the slopes first thing? Check out our picks of the best on-snow accommodation in Australia.

Mount Buller, VIC

Source image: Visit Victoria

If you’re looking for the best family ski resort in Australia that combines family-friendly runs, super fun school holiday programs and most importantly the affordability to spend a week up on the slopes – Mount Buller is your answer. 

Not the biggest of mountains, Buller offers charm through a surprisingly large amount of runs that range in difficulty and are perfect at accommodating the newest of skiers and most avid of riders. Buller has been a Victorian family favourite for decades, which is mainly in part to its accessibility (just a short three-hour drive from the City), affordability and also a great bang for your buck! 

One of the cheapest ski resorts in Australia but don’t let that fool you, 85 runs spread across 21 lifts and four terrain parks sees this as one of Australia’s most versatile and popular ski resorts for good measure. When we see these stats, we just know it is one of the best ski resorts in Australia for families.

So there you have it, we hope this guide has offered you some great insight into the world of Australian ski resorts and given you a good picture of each of the 5 mountains to choose from. 

Planning a trip to Perisher this ski season? You can use this guide to learn how to plan the perfect ski holiday.

Plus, stay at the largest ski resort in Australia at Eiger Chalet, home of the White Spider restaurant, it’s the perfect place to plan your next winter holiday with the family.