Your 2023 Winter Snow Holiday

WINTER will arrive before we know, so have you made plans yet? This winter be prepared so when you hit the snow slopes you can make the most of your time. Autumn is the best time to book and plan your snow holiday, here are the essential tips to get you started.

WhaT ResoRT To VisiT

NSW has four snow resorts, Charlotte Pass, Perisher, Selwyn and Thredbo. Each resort has their own pros and cons, so conducting personal research will be beneficial to your final decision. Spending 30 minutes browsing through a resort website now will benefit your future holiday.

Selwyn Snow Resort is ideal for beginners and snow play. They have gentle beginner runs, the ticket prices are more affordable and if you like snow play, they have a dedicated toboggan park with a magic carpet lift.

Charlotte Pass Resort is an idyllic snow bound village accessible only via oversnow transport from Perisher Valley during winter. You can purchase day tickets, but most guests stay at the resort for their duration.

Perisher is Australia‘s most popular resort and its biggest with over 1200 hectares across four resort areas. The terrain is suited to all levels from beginner, great intermediate terrain stretched across the resort and advanced trails. Their Epic Australia Pass is the most popular season pass.

Thredbo is a European style village with atmosphere to match. The longest vertical of skiing in Australia is welcomed by winter enthusiasts who relish the 672m vertical drop. A designed beginner area at Friday Flat, and the intermediate Cruiser area are popular. Revellers also embrace the village après scene and the live entertainment.

Book YouR accommodaTion

Some people wait until the last minute and then decide, hey let‘s go to the snow tomorrow. That usually results in not being able to find a room. Winter is popular and thousands of people have already booked for 2023. The earlier you book usually

results in the better deal you can secure.

WheRe To sTaY

Depending on what resort you want to visit, that decision will determine where to stay.

Selwyn Snow Resort is re–opening this winter, so guests wishing to ski at Selwyn should stay at Adaminaby, Cooma or at Talbingo, Tumbarumba and Tumut. There is no on snow accommodation at Selwyn.

Visitors for Perisher or Thredbo often choose to stay off the snow in the vibrant town of Jindabyne. Located 35km from the snow, you have choices for restaurants and bars and commute each day to ski. The towns of Berridale, Cooma or Dalgety also have accommodation, but you will have to travel further each day.

On snow accommodation means you stay

Recycling YES

Glass bottles and jars, firm plastic bottles and containers, metal cans, aluminium foil and trays, clean paper products, newspapers and long life cartons.

Plastic bags, soft plastics, packets or wrappers, nappies or hygiene products, polystyrene, clothes, shoes, food scraps, electronic items, building materials, wood or batteries.

Landfill YES

Consider home composting for food and garden waste. Recycle soft plastics at supermarkets via REDcycle program.

Recyclables, building materials, gas bottles. batteries, fluorescent globes or tubes.

at the resort itself. Thredbo, Perisher and Charlotte Pass have numerous on snow accommodation, so depending what resort you are planning to ski will determine where you book.

Hotels and lodges all have varying prices depending on their location to the slopes, rating of the premises, rooms and other benefits such as breakfast and dinner included. Book directly with the venue for best price and information.

You will find prices more expensive staying on snow than in the adjoining towns, but it means you don‘t travel each day to the slopes, simply walk (or lodge oversnow transport) to the mountain.

PuRchasing TickeTs and Passes

Each resort has season passes which are ideal for multiple season long visits. If you

Drop-off problem waste at Community Recycling Centres

Paint

Gas bottles and fire extinguishers

Fluorescent globes and tubes

Household and car batteries

Smoke detectors

Motor oil and other oils

Cooma Landfill open

Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm

Saturday 1pm to 5pm

Sunday 11am to 5pm

Closed Public Holidays

Jindabyne Landfill open

Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm

Saturday & Sunday 10am to 3pm

Closed Public Holidays

1300 345 345 www.snowymonaro.nsw.gov.au/141

@snowymonaroregionalcouncil are just doing one weekend, or one midweek trip, purchasing day tickets online well in advance will get you the best price. Note, Thredbo season pass goes on sale in March and will sell out quickly. Each resort has di erent price tickets, structures and options, so once you decide what resort book your tickets early. You get the best deals booking online well in advance.

INTERNATIONAL SNOW HOLIDAYS

Season passes at Perisher and Thredbo also have benefits for overseas snow travellers.

The popular Epic Australia Pass covers Perisher plus Hotham and Falls Creek in Victoria. This pass also has great benefits overseas including unlimited skiing at some major North American resorts. Some resorts may have holiday blackouts and other resorts in Japan and Europe have select number of days you can use the pass. Either way, this is a very popular pass for good reason, purchase early before it goes o sale in June.

The Thredbo season pass was capped in 2022, selling out quickly once it was on sale. The Thredbo pass has a liation with the Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective where you receive a select number of days at other resorts, and then discounted prices. Check for your own knowledge the exact details.

Snow Travel Expo

Snow enthusiasts, or those looking for more information on anything to do with snow should plan to visit the Snow Travel Expo. Held in Melbourne and Sydney (see dates below), this snow show attracts thousands of visitors each year plus all the big resorts under one roof. Here you can meet and greet with knowledgeable resort representatives who can o er you tips and deals to visit their resort. The show has airlines, ski and snowboard equipment and often great travel and equipment competitions.

Prepare Your Gear

If you have your own gear, unless you ventured overseas, what‘s the chance you have even looked at your gear since last winter. Most likely not.

Having tuned equipment is essential to assist you on snow. Wax is the key to smooth gliding and good sharp edges essential to carved turns. Take your skis and board to your nearest ski shop and ask them for a wax and edge, or full tune if warranted. You don‘t want to ruin your first day with sluggish equipment.

It‘s always good to double check your clothing and accessories before leaving home. Jacket, pants, gloves, thermals, goggles, helmet, should all be packed in one bag and tick them o .

Hire Your Gear

If you are a first timer, no problem, there are numerous hire shops where you can book ahead for the week and lock in all your gear. Hiring gear in the mountains also means you don‘t have to lug it from home.

Skis, poles, snowboard, boots, helmet, plus jacket and pant can all be hired and at reasonable costs. The beauty of hire is you can try the sport and decide if you like the snow. Then for next year, purchase your own gear with the knowledge you have gained.

Some items you can‘t hire such as gloves, goggles and thermal underwear. Big tip, buy warm waterproof gloves, not just the cheapest brand. Cold hands equal an unhappy day on the slopes. Sunglasses don‘t work well on snowy days, so goggles are essential. And it‘s cold in the mountains, so jeans don‘t work too well. Thermal underwear and waterproof gear keep you warm, even on cold days.

Technical data supplied by the Snowy Hydro Limited, Cooma North. Snow Depth readings were carried out at the Snowy Hydro Limited sampling course located at Spencers Creek. There are seven sampling points situated at an elevation of 1,830 metres. The records do not relate to any one particular ski resort, but the course is situated between Perisher Valley and Charlotte Pass.

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