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Skiing and snowboarding masterclasses will be available at Hotham, Victoria. Source: Supplied |
The summer months have given ski resorts in Australia and New Zealand time to spruce themselves up, incorporate the latest innovations and ensure that everything is in place for the arrival of those first precious snowflakes — and the skiers and snowboarders who will follow promptly in their wake. Here’s our resort roundup to get you ski-season ready.
Perisher, NSW
The biggest news in ski circles this year is the acquisition of Australia’s largest ski resort, Perisher, by American mountain resort company Vail. While the details are still being finalised, the benefits are already being rolled out in time for Perisher’s ski season, which kicks off on June 6. Newly purchased Freedom Passes incorporate Vail’s Epic Benefits — unlimited skiing and riding for the 2015-16 season at Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado, Park City and Canyons in Utah, and Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in Tahoe, plus an extra 10 free days of skiing at Vail and Beaver Creek. (US resort access is subject to traditional holiday restrictions.) The Freedom Pass is on sale until May 31 at $749 for adults and $429 for students. perisher.com.au
Thredbo, NSW
This year Torah Bright, Australia’s Olympic gold and silver medal snowboarder, has partnered with Thredbo in a program to encourage people to get involved in snow sports. The Torah Bright Beginners Pack includes a beginner lift pass, lesson and an option for equipment rental. Beginner skiers and boarders can perfect their new-found skills in terrain that has doubled in size. Good news for families with teens is that kids’ prices will apply to everyone under 18. Better still, children under 18 ski and snowboard free next month and in September when accompanied by a paying adult. thredbo.com.au
Lake Mountain, Victoria
This season’s new developments are most welcome in the Victorian town of Marysville, which was devastated by the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009. New life has been breathed into the town with the development of the Vibe Hotel Marysville; it offers a spa and wellbeing facility and serves produce sourced from the Yarra Valley at its Radius Bar and Grill. Also new in town is the architect-designed, enviro-friendly Amazing Bush Accommodation, which sleeps up to 12 and features a roof garden, climbing wall and — poignantly — a fireman’s pole. Lake Mountain’s Snowman’s Village has expanded and an additional beginner toboggan slope developed, and at Lake Mountain Alpine Resort the new Fischer Nordic Demo and Test Centre gives cross-country skiers the opportunity to test world-class Nordic equipment. The Winter Wonderland package costs $363 for two adults and two children and $80 per additional child; it includes gate entry for one vehicle, toboggan and ski hire, a 90-minute group cross-country ski lesson and a lunch voucher. lakemountainresort.com.au
Mt Buller, Victoria
The season starts with a bang on the weekend of June 6 with fireworks, live music and free entertainment. Visitors can fill up on Japanese, Korean and Chinese cuisine at the new Asian Food Court at the Mt Buller Chalet Hotel. The popular sled dog tours introduced during last year’s season will continue; visitors can enjoy other innovations such as the ski-in cinema, telemarking (free-heel skiing) snowgaining (high altitude orienteering) and treatments at Australia’s highest day spa, Breathtaker on High. Ski for less on Thursdays, when ski passes purchased on Mt Buller’s e-store cost $80 — 30 per cent less than usual. mtbuller.com.au
Ski by night: Mount Hotham, Victoria
Intermediate and advanced skiers and advanced snowboarders can polish their skills under the tutelage of hand-picked coaches at Mount Hotham’s new ski and snowboard masterclasses. Newly equipped with night lights, the nearby hamlet of Dinner Plain will offer night skiing and snow-tubing for the first time this year. Dinner Plain’s new Snow Park also offers snow tubing, ski lessons and night skiing. mthotham.com.au
Falls Creek, Victoria
Luxury ski-in, ski-out Astra Lodge will unveil a makeover that includes a new magnesium indoor pool. Inexperienced skiers are well-catered for: the Falls Beginner Pass ($80 for adults and $55 for children) includes an introductory two-hour ski or snowboard lesson and unlimited use of the beginner lifts for the day, and is available with equipment rental. fallscreek.com.au
Responsible skiing: Mount Baw Baw
Melbourne’s closest downhill ski resort is preparing for another bumper season following last year’s record visitor numbers. Night skiing is offered every Saturday during the season from 6pm to 8pm, with lift tickets available for $10. Environmentally minded visitors can participate in a Deakin University survey on the mountain’s long-term environmental sustainability initiatives. Conducted in collaboration with the resort, the survey results will guide its future decision-making and alpine management strategies. mountbawbaw.com.au
Mt Stirling
The weather may be icy but snow camping is the hot new thing to try out at Mt Sterling. The Alpine Winter Camp is a unique type of ski-in, ski-out accommodation set above the snowline and featuring a central teepee for dining and socialising and seven accommodation tents on raised, insulated platforms. Comfort comes in the form of a potbelly stove, warm fibre pile blankets and a tasty camp menu. Four-person tents cost $130 a night and accommodation can be combined with back-country skiing expeditions. stirlingexperience.com.au
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