The best ski resorts in Australia

Best for: Intermediate to advanced 

Known for its unique upside-down layout (with the village at the summit and the slopes at the base), Mount Hotham has some of the world's best ski-in, ski-out lodgings. Based on data from the past 16 years, the mountain experiences the most snowy days out of any Aussie ski resort, with conditions primed to peak in the third week of August. Mount Hotham is best suited to experienced skiers and snowboarders, with almost half of the terrain here rated advanced. 

Where: 4.5-hour drive from Melbourne

What’s there: 80-plus runs, 13 lifts

Price: One-day adult lift tickets from $163

Stay here: Hire your own apartment or chalet for great views of the sugar-coated mountaintops.

Best for: Freestyle enthusiasts and partygoers

If the name didn’t give it away, the Snowy Mountains region is the place to be for your cold fix in NSW – and Thredbo will keep you entertained with adrenaline-inducing action by day and après-ski vibes by night. Thredbo’s ski resort is home to the country’s longest ski and snowboard runs – the longest is the Village Trail, which clocks in at five kilometres. For beginners, Thredbo is also home to one of Australia’s best ski schools, offering programs and lessons for everyone.

Where: 2.5-hour drive from Canberra or 5.5 hours from Sydney

What's there: 53 runs, four terrain parks, 15 ski lifts

Price: One-day adult lift passes from $167

Stay here: Thredbo Alpine Hotel has two to four-person lodges, smack bang in the centre of the Village Square.

Best for: Families, downhill daredevils and cross-country skiers

Falls Creek is located in the centre of the Victorian Alps, halfway between Melbourne and Canberra. Unlike other ski resorts, this alpine town closes its on-mountain roads to vehicles for the majority of the ski season, allowing for an authentic ski-in, ski-out experience from the lifts to the village. Falls Creek caters for all with downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, night skiing and some epic terrain parks for the thrill-seekers. Family-friendly activities include Thursday night fireworks and a visit from the resort’s very own snow dragon mascot.

Where: 4.5-hour drive from Melbourne

What's there: 92 ski runs, four terrain parks, 14 ski lifts

Price: One-day adult lift ticket from $163

Where to stay: Check out the Falls Creek Hotel for hotel-style accommodation just 100 metres from the nearest chairlift. 

Best for: Day trippers

Hands down Victoria's most popular ski resort, Mount Buller is a winner with both day trippers and weekend warriors. Located around three hours from Melbourne, this mountain offers plenty of downhill terrain for skiers and boarders, with ample room for beginners to work on their snow legs. If you don’t feel like hitting up the slopes for the day, but want to bask in the rarity of snowy weather in Oz, Mount Buller has pulled out all the stops in terms of entertainment. Head to the spa, trampoline park, Australia’s highest cinema or meander around the sculpture trail.

Where: Three-hour drive from Melbourne

What's there: 80-plus ski runs, 22 ski lifts

Cost: One-day lift passes from $121 (resort entry fees also apply)

Stay here: If you're looking for budget-friendly accommodation and transport options near Mt Buller, opt to stay in nearby towns like Mansfield, where you can get a room for around $120 a night.

Best for: Those who like choice

Perisher is huge – there’s no denying it. It’s the largest snow resort in the Southern Hemisphere, combining Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Mount Blue Cow, Guthega, The Station and the Skitube Alpine Railway. As a result, there’s a huge number of lifts and some pretty reliable snow every winter. Be sure to explore each area and its own distinct charm, like the family-friendly resort of Smiggin, tucked inside a snow bowl. 

Where: 2.5-hour drive from Canberra or 5.5 hours from Sydney

What's there: 100-plus runs, four terrain parks, 44 ski lifts

Price: One-day adult lift tickets from $168

Stay here: For a seamless ski-in, ski-out experience, you can book a private lodge right on the mountain (like this Swiss-style chalet) or a room at the Perisher Valley Hotel. 

Best for: Beginners and lower intermediates

Perched right in the middle of the Snowy Mountains, Charlotte Pass is the highest and oldest ski resort in Australia. At 1765 metres above sea level, the mountain receives some of the most consistent snowfall across the snow season (from June to September), which means less man-made snow and more of the real fluffy stuff. The place gets so much snow in peak season that you’ll need to access the slopes via some pretty monster truck-esque oversnow transport.

Where: 5.5-hour drive from Sydney or 2.75 hours from Canberra

What’s there: 19 ski runs, five ski lifts

Price: One-day adult lift tickets from $79

Stay here: Stay at Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel for the easiest ski-in, ski-out experience.

Best for: Families, first-timers 

This picturesque alpine village is smaller than other Victorian ski resorts, but it still offers great downhill skiing, plus snow play areas for families. There are accommodation options for all ages and budgets – from backpacker-style dorm beds perfect for solo shredders and budget private rooms to affordable family-friendly ski lodges, luxury private apartments, and chalets. Baw Baw offers an excellent selection of guided tours for all skill levels. Alternatively, try out laser tag or archery, fly fishing or glamping atop the mountain. 

Where: 2.5-hour drive from Melbourne

What’s there: 13 ski runs, six surface lifts

Price: One-day adult lift passes from $89

Stay here: You can stay at a ski lodge for as little as $100 per night, with plenty of options here. 

Best for: Families with young kids

Hiding in the Brindabella mountain range is the longest alpine slide in the Southern Hemisphere – a thrilling 1.2-kilometre bobsled trail, open year-round. During the colder months, snow machines transform the area into a winter wonderland where you can hit the slopes on a toboggan, take a ski lesson, build a snowman or start an epic snowball battle. Once you’re done on the slopes, there’s a café overlooking a little creek to kick back in – it has an open fire where toasting marshmallows is encouraged.

Where: 45-minute drive from Canberra

What’s there: Alpine slide, one slope, one lift

Price: Full-day ski area pass for $95

Stay here: It's just a short drive from Canberra, so you might as well stay in the city.

Best for: Cross-country carving

Lake Mountain is an all-year destination, located a stone's throw away from the Yarra and Goulburn valleys. The resort offers an on-mountain ski school for first-time skiers, a beginner's snowboarding terrain park, tobogganing and plenty of other activities, including a flying fox, tube ride and laser skirmish. While there's no downhill skiing or snowboarding (and no lifts), Lake Mountain still offers 30 kilometres of groomed cross-country skiing. 

Where: 2.5-hour drive from Melbourne

What’s there: 30 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, three toboggan runs

Price: Adult resort entry for $22 and adult toboggan access for $33

Stay here: There are caravan and holiday parks for budget travellers which start at $95 per night, or middle-range, self-contained lakeside cottages in Healesville and Marysville for around $200 per night.