The Best Slopes for Snowboarding in Australia

The Romance Package For Two

Book Now

Half Day Swan Valley Wine Tour

Book Now

Perth to Exmouth Adventure (8-day return)

Book Now

1 Day Pinnacles Lobster Lavender Tour

Book Now

Perth – Arcades & Laneways

Book Now

Date Night Tour

Book Now

Winter sports isn’t something you commonly associate with Australia,  however you’ll be surprised to know that there are some seriously impressive snowboarding slopes in the country. During the winter season, thousands of thrill seekers flock to the many resorts across Australia to get their snow fix, and bruise a bum cheek or two. Here we uncover the best locations to go snowboarding in Australia.

The great Australian adventure spirit is not compromised during in the winter months at these snowboarding resorts. With events like Christmas in July, night skiing, and some spectacular views from some mountain-top bars, you can make the most out of your snow-capped excursion whilst visiting one of the great Australian Ski Resorts. We have hand-picked a selection of resorts in New South Wales and Victoria that will see you perfecting your snowboarding skills, from downhill runs, to half-pipes and an abundance of secret terrain to explore. If you’re heart and soul is pure adrenaline infused adventure, these are Australia’s finest locations to capture the spirit of the slopes. Would like to take dynamic photos and record action videos, find out what is the best GoPro to buy and choose a weather sealed and touch screen camera for your snowboarding adventures.

Mount Buller

Mount Buller is one of the best places to explore the snow in Australia, with snowboard runs, tobogganing and cross country treks. Located four hours away from Melbourne, this is a great mini excursion where avid snowboarders can catch some testing terrain and cliff drops.

This resort offers 25 lifts, taking 40,000 snowboarders per hour up the 400m vertical rise, so you can really make the most of your time here. The mix of terrain in Buller will entertain all levels of boarder, from beginner to expert. It best catered for an intermediate snowboarder but is designed for all skill levels. There are a huge amount of fresh runs that would make it impossible to carve them all in one day, and the ultra-cross course is something every boarder should try.

The season starts in June and finishes up at the beginning of October, and there are plenty of activities available throughout the day and night. With over 30 bars and restaurants, after a day on the slopes, you can unwind or go crazy in Mt Buller. One favourite in Buller is Kooroora Hotel, located in the heart of the village. Perfect for a post-ski beverage, this venue heats up late into the night. Open until 3am, this is one of Mt Buller’s much-loved watering holes.

The Loft Lounge & Bar is another great venue, open from 10am till late, offering food and drink. With a cosy atmosphere, this lodge-style bar also offers the six-flavoured Mountain Famous Breathtaker Hot Chocolate, best enjoyed by the log fire. This is the perfect place to wind-down after a busy day on the snow. Another great location to curl up by the fire is Mooshead Bar, one of Mt Buller’s best kept secrets. Chill with a gluhwien, a local wine or thirst quenching beer.

Mount Buller has more on-mountain beds than anywhere else in Victoria, so there’s no chance to waste time in the morning, just step out the door and on to the slopes. Buller Backpackers offers basic, clean and affordable accommodation in the heart of the village.  Stay here without blowing your budget, where you’re just steps from the chairlift and in the midst of the scenic village. A bed ranges from $42 – $67 pp per night depending on the season, visit: www.bullerbackpackers.com.au for more information.

From $200 pp per night, Pinnacle View Apartments offer a more luxurious, modern and stylish accommodation in a Dutch-style barn. Designed to accommodate groups, sleeping up to nine, it is easily accessible to the slopes and is in the foot of Mt Buller. It also has a dry room, with hydronic heating for storage of ski clothing and snowboarding gear.

Falls Creek

Located in North-East Victoria, Falls Creek is a modern resort where snowboarders can really catch some air on the fantastic terrain here. Known as the country’s free-ride capital, the resort has four terrain parks equipped for serious exploration. It is the largest all-season alpine resort and the hottest location where boarders flock to, to flaunt their skills.

Although this resort is a magnet for experienced boarders from all over the country, it also caters for beginners. The gently sloping Board Walk Run is exclusive to first timers, Drovers Dream and Panorama Runs are long and flat, so ideal for beginners. What’s more, Wombats Ramble is Falls Creek’s longest beginner trail, leading down to the village.

For the thrill-seeking, advanced snowboarders, the Falls Creek world-class superpipe is a great stage to show off your tricks and skills. Located to the left of the Summit Chairlift, it also attracts spectators by hosting frequent competitions throughout the season.

The numerous non-skiing activities on offer at Falls Creek include snow tubing, snow biking, bungee trampolining, scenic helicopter flights and grooming tours. If snow’s just not your thing, the village has fashion boutiques, cafes, restaurants and cosy bars, should you wish to tag along, but not get involved in all the snow action.

For the best in après ski, The Man Hotel is open all year round, and is one of Falls Creek’s top nightspots. During the winter ski season it becomes a club, cocktail bar and live-music venue that features popular Aussie bands.  It is known as a Falls Creek institution and houses the famous “Man” pizzas which will fill you up after a hard day of boarding.

The Summit Ridge Restaurant is another popular choice that showcases the best local and seasonal produce. This rustic restaurant offers fine dining with crisp Asian flavours, innovative food and an extensive wine list. Located on the highest street in Falls Creek, it provides superb views and quiet seclusion to bask in its glory.

Aside from the slopes, experience the Alpine sunset up 1800 metres high, at the top of the mountain. The perfect end to a day of boarding is taking in the views with a glass of Australian sparkling wine and gourmet picnic hamper.  Sunset Tour from the Village Bowl run every Thursday at 5pm, to take in the views.

Dreamers accommodation provides the perfect rural mountain setting and is located on five acres of river land, with chalets and apartments set around a trout filled lagoon. Prices range from $260 – $2,900 per night and they also provide group accommodation and meal packages in luxury eco apartments. www.dreamersmtbeauty.com.au

Located in the Falls Creek Village, Alpha Ski Lodge is a great place to enjoy the fantastic views of the village from its lofty position. Prices start from $61 pp per night with four share bunk rooms or double en-suites on offer. Visit: www.alphaskilodge.com.au to book.

Perisher Valley

Home to the largest ski resort in the southern hemisphere and located in the Kosciusko National Park in the Snowy Mountains, Perisher Valley dominates Australia’s snowboarding scene. Located 500 kilometres south of Sydney and covering 1250 hectares of snow, this is a snowboarder’s paradise.

The peak season here is around July and August where temperatures get down to around -5°C. June and September also receive a decent amount of snow, so if you don’t mind compromising on the powder, the accommodation is a little cheaper during these months.

There are a lot of snowboarding activities at this resort; including a fun park, a separate Board Riders school, a woman’s snowboard programme, a board rider’s guide and the Addiction Snowboard store where you can ride in style. The vertical descent is about 350m long, but they have installed 50 lifts so you can make the most of the terrain available.

The Overflow Bar in Perisher Valley offers amazing views from Front Valley to Mt Perisher and is a great location to watch the sun set over the snowy mountains. This bar offers regular live entertainment, two pool tables and dartboards. You won’t miss out on any big sporting events as they have big screen TVs, well-catered for those sports enthusiasts. The venue is open from 4pm till late every night.

Another great place for relaxing between runs is The Top Spot Bar. With live entertainment on Thursdays, spectacular views across Mount Blue Cow and locally distilled Wild Brumby Schnapps, this is a delightful place to unwind.

For four days in June, kicking off the ski season, The Perisher Snowy Mountains of Music takes place, which is the only music festival in the snow. The festival offers a mix of folk, world and traditional music spanning in ten different venues.

The Perisher Valley Hotel is renowned for the perfect location in the heart of Perisher Valley, moments from the lifts. With extensive views over the resort and easy access to all resort facilities, this accommodation has facilities to suit every type of boarder. Rates start from $149 BB per night, check out the website: www.perisher.com.au/perisher-valley-hotel for more information.

The Corroboree Lodge is perfect for groups of friends in Perisher Valley, it is in a great location, right across from the Perisher Express chairlift.  All rooms have en-suites and the lodge has a stunning cocktail bar. In peak season, expect to pay $1652 per person, based on four-six sharing. Visit the website snowholidays.com.au/corroboree_rates to view the room types and rates they offer.

During the summer, the mountains also attract tourists seeking white-water rafting, abseiling, climbing, horse-riding and fishing in the nearby lakes. Lake Jindabyne is extremely popular for canoeing and water skiing, with the Australian Water-Skiing Championships taking place there every year.

Hotham

Similarly to Falls Creek, Hotham is a favourite amongst confident freestyle snowboarders. The four terrains and rail parks provide a showroom for those who want to parade their skills. Take your pick from the tree runs, natural half pipes, gullies and bowls that Hotham is well renowned for.

For less experienced boarders, Big D Beginner Park is designed for the kids and Basin Rail Park caters for all talents and abilities. It is the most accessible location and has a bar and restaurant where you can watch the pros strut their stuff.

Hotham snow season starts in June and finishes in September and has 40% advanced terrain, with 20% suitable for beginners and the last 40% caters for the intermediate ski and snowboarders. Popular events for those looking to hone their boarding skills are the Bread and Butter Rail Jam on 6th July, and the Cheese and Crackered Rail Jam on the 13th July. To welcome the snow and celebrate the opening of Basin Rail Park, you can watch the crew present their skills. You can put on a show yourself by registering at Boardbox or the Guest Services in Hotham Central. To watch international pros in action, catch FIS ANC Snowboard-X presented by Bolle between 25th and 28th August 2013.

On Wednesday and Saturday nights, when the sun goes down, the fun in Hotham doesn’t stop. From 6.30pm – 9.30pm, for $11, night skiing takes over these slopes. Or, for intermediate snowboarders and above who want to discover the secret powder stashes that no ordinary vacationer gets to make their mark on, try the backcountry Kat skiing and snowboarding adventures. They are free with a valid pass at Hotham and snowriders are transported by an eight-seater snow Kat to explore outside your normal resort boundaries.

Get an all-inclusive deal at the Arlberg Hotel, located one bus stop from Hotham Central and the main ski runs. This hotel has an in-house bistro, a swimming pool and the main highlight is the hot tub. Get accommodation, breakfast and a weekend lift pass for $314 per person for two nights. Visit:www.mthotham.com.au/resort/accommodation/packages for more details on the packages on offer.

From $80pp per night, the Valhalla Ski Club is ideal for those snowboarders on a budget. Located in an elevated position within 200 metres from Jack Frost and the main road, this lodge has a welcoming environment with easy access to everything you need on a snow break. The communal area means it’s a sociable place to get together with like-minded people. Check out: www.stayz.com.au for more on this lodge and similar types of accommodation.

Charlotte Pass

Located in the Snowy Mountains, this is the only snowbound resort in Australia, which means you have to use over-snow transport from Perisher Valley to get there. Whether you’re a beginner, in the middle, or an advanced snowboarder, Charlotte Pass has it all. Named after Charlotte Adams, the first European woman to climb Mount Kosciuszko in 1881, the pass is Australia’s highest resort and delivers consistent, quality snow.

This isolated resort doesn’t have any of the typical crowd problems encountered on everyday slopes because of the restricted number of people allowed in the village at any one time. This means it is the perfect place to ride the open snow and avoid any unnecessary traffic. As well as great slopes, Charlotte Pass is also a base for bushwalkers intending to walk to the top of Mount Kosciuszko in the summer.

So, after taking a ride in the snowmobile from the Perisher Valler SkiTube terminal, enjoy ski lifts right on your doorstep, no long queues and more space to explore or find your snow feet. This is also the perfect place to enjoy Christmas in July, as the resort will be decorated with tinsel and Christmas trees, and you can take advantage of the snowy events. Get in the Christmas spirit with a snowman building competition and snow photos with Santa. Why wait until December to celebrate? At Charlotte Pass, you can embrace the Christmas cheer in a picturesque setting. Christmas in July is celebrated between 21st-27th July at Charlotte Pass Ski Resort, check out the official website: www.charlottepass.com.au/whatsnew

For a Charlotte Pass Day Tripper option, you can experience the slopes in an all-inclusive day trip. Departing from Perisher Valley, choose between three types of pass. If you want to make the most of your day snowboarding, then the DayTripperOne pass has a full mountain lift pass, return over snow transport, and a hot lunch at the Kosi Bar & Bistro. Tickets are $97 for adults and can be booked through: www.charlottepass.com.au/daytripper

Altiji Alpine Lodge is located in Charlotte Pass Village and offers the true alpine experience in a picturesque valley below the slopes. This accommodation is located in the highest point of the valley, which gives you door-to-door boarding. The lodge bar, centrally heated, offers panoramic views of the mountains and village. For a seven night stay per person during peak season, it will cost $1695.

Jump on board The Charlotte Pass Winter Festival 2013, taking place between 18th- 24th August. Special events include the Flare Run, Outdoor Ice Bar, Road Gap Jump, Free Tubin’ Tuesday and the festival concludes with a fireworks display over the village.

By Lucie Potter

Check out for Festivals in Australia

Travel to Western Australia