Travel Skiing/snowboarding in Australia

[Scotland]

Who's been, what are your thoughts etc. Worth it? Give it a miss? Just go to NZ or wait for the Nothern winter?

I like snow sports but have been but only been overseas during the Northern winter. Friends that are more regular snow-goers have told me that the snow in Australia generally isn't very good (can be very hit and miss, we just don't have the snowfall or the elevation) and it's very expensive.

After seeing that we're having rare heavy snowfall I'm thinking of heading over in August for a week or so and had a look into it. From some quick research for just a week at Falls Creek (for example) I reckon I'd be lucky to get change from $3k factoring in flights from Perth, simple twin share accommodation, board hire, lift passes and food. Is that around the mark?

 

[Slax]

Go to NZ, cheaper & better snow

 

[James_Blues]

Who's been, what are your thoughts etc. Worth it? Give it a miss? Just go to NZ or wait for the Nothern winter?

I like snow sports but have been but only been overseas during the Northern winter. Friends that are more regular snow-goers have told me that the snow in Australia generally isn't very good (can be very hit and miss, we just don't have the snowfall or the elevation) and it's very expensive.

After seeing that we're having rare heavy snowfall I'm thinking of heading over in August for a week or so and had a look into it. From some quick research for just a week at Falls Creek (for example) I reckon I'd be lucky to get change from $3k factoring in flights from Perth, simple twin share accommodation, board hire, lift passes and food. Is that around the mark?

I've been lucky enough to be able to ski overseas and in Australia (at Buller) and found theres a massive difference in quality of the snow and value for money. In Australia the snow's normally very sludgy, generally pretty patchy especially early on in the season and the runs are packed. It's also very expensive with lift passes costing around $113 a day at Buller for an adult. Having said that, the snow does look pretty good at the moment!

Comparatively, in Europe, Japan or North America the snow's much higher in quantity, quality and much more cost effective in regards to lift prices. Obviously the travel costs are much greater but its generally a better experience overseas.

 

[Scotland]

I've been lucky enough to be able to ski overseas and in Australia (at Buller) and found theres a massive difference in quality of the snow and value for money. In Australia the snow's normally very sludgy, generally pretty patchy especially early on in the season and the runs are packed. It's also very expensive with lift passes costing around $113 a day at Buller for an adult. Having said that, the snow does look pretty good at the moment

Comparatively, in Europe, Japan or North America the snow's much higher in quantity, quality and much more cost effective in regards to lift prices. Obviously the travel costs are much greater but its generally a better experience overseas.

I've experienced snow in Switzerland (wasn't there to ski, just happened to be there in snow), Japan (which gets a couple of metres a year more snowfall than us) and Dubai which is really just a gimmick for rich Emirati and tourists.

My reason for wanting to give Oz a go is that there has been very high snowfall and to experience a part of Oz I haven't been to and have a basis for comparison. Nothing worse than people who criticise what Oz has to offer that never look in their own backyard. Very hard to justify, though.

 

[James_Blues]

I've experienced snow in Switzerland (wasn't there to ski, just happened to be there in snow), Japan (which gets a couple of metres a year more snowfall than us) and Dubai which is really just a gimmick for rich Emirati and tourists.

My reason for wanting to give Oz a go is that there has been very high snowfall and to experience a part of Oz I haven't been to and have a basis for comparison. Nothing worse than people who criticise what Oz has to offer that never look in their own backyard. Very hard to justify, though.

Thats fair enough, definitely worth doing even if it only once. Falls from what I've been told is much better than Buller and it certainly gets more snow than Buller does. I'm not sure how old you are but there are student/concession discounts which do lower the price a bit (down to $90 from $113 for a day).

 

[Flash14]

Who's been, what are your thoughts etc. Worth it? Give it a miss? Just go to NZ or wait for the Nothern winter?

I like snow sports but have been but only been overseas during the Northern winter. Friends that are more regular snow-goers have told me that the snow in Australia generally isn't very good (can be very hit and miss, we just don't have the snowfall or the elevation) and it's very expensive.

After seeing that we're having rare heavy snowfall I'm thinking of heading over in August for a week or so and had a look into it. From some quick research for just a week at Falls Creek (for example) I reckon I'd be lucky to get change from $3k factoring in flights from Perth, simple twin share accommodation, board hire, lift passes and food. Is that around the mark?

With the amount of snow there is ATM, if it is still there in august it would probably be worth it. I've gone a few times, most recently to Thredbo and while it started good, it didn't snow and it was terrible for skiing/snow boarding. So if you reckon that level of snow will still be there in august, I would absolutely do it.

 

[HirdyLannister]

I'm going up to falls creek on the 11-13th and staying in Bright, they are expecting 55cm more over the next 7 days. Weekend passes are $204 and accommodation is $55pp per a night (four of us). I'll let you know how the snow is

 

[TheBigT]

Honestly, if I did a 1-2 week trip every year I'd just go to japan. Just as cheap, much better snow, better cultural experience.
If you ski pretty regularly the costs come down. We have a place near Buller, and so I spend roughly 1100 on a seasons lift ticket and resort entry. No accom costs, no equipment hire costs, pack my lunch most days so food is what it would be at home. Sure the snow isn't as good but skiing in the gum trees is far better than pine trees imo. And I'm not locked into dates, so I can choose days with good conditions.

 

[Caesar]

I have stopped skiing in Australia because it's just too expensive. From Perth it'd almost be cheaper to go to Japan for a trip over a week.

Skiing in NZ is a waste of money IMO. Snow isn't a whole lot better and the bigger resorts don't really have any on-mountain accommodation, which is a pain.

 

[Scotland]

I spent a week or so in Japan early this year. Lift passes were $40 or so a day, accommodation $50 a night (big house shared between friends walking distance to lifts), food was typically no more expensive than home, sometimes cheaper, snow was fantastic, people friendly, mountains quiet.

Pain in the arse to get to obviously, but you can get there for $500 if you book early and tolerate Air Asia. Even getting a flat bed each way should only cost you $2k or less if you book early enough.

 

[clogged]

You'll be disappointed coming from Perth. I live in Sydney, and enjoy the snow when I can, but it's a five hour drive, not a five hour flight plus two hour drive.

Not worth it.

 

[HirdyLannister]

Falls was great over the weekend best snow I've seen there!

 

[Gough]

Why weren't you at home building your Death Star?

 

[HirdyLannister]

Why weren't you at home building your Death Star?

Had to hit the slopes as the powder was calling, sorry...

 

[Cats408]

Went to Hotham for the first time and gave snowboarding a go...fair to say I spent the majority of the time falling on my ass but nevertheless it was a good time.

 

[StevenBess]

Skiing/snowboarding is an amazing thing. Skiing in Australia takes place during winter. Australia has various ski resorts, ski accommodation in various places as falls creek, Melbourne and many more. We have various skiing activities at Falls Creek in Australia. I would personally recommend you to visit attunga alpine lodge and apartments falls creek accommodation where they have a lavish arrangements of skiing near to their hotel premises. They offer amazing services with additional facilities as lodges, apartments mess and much more.

 

[Scotland]

Skiing in Australia takes place during winter.

Handy knowledge to have.

 

[Doss]

I've been skiing once, at Thredbo. It was -14 on one of the days. I wasn't much of a skier either.

I'd love to do it again but boy it was ****ing cold, even rugged up as I was. The windchill factor was severe; -14 was the actual temperature, so with windchill factored in, the apparent temperature was probably closer to about 22 below.

 

[Chuckie357]

I've been to Hotham and Mt. Buller. Buller is way better IMO although when I was at Hotham one of the day's belted down rain and was bloody freezing. Went to buller at the end of the season where snow was melting everywhere but still was quite good. Felt like Buller had better runs and was more asthetically pleasing

 

[The Dice Man]

Last year at 49 I finally gave snowboarding a real chance, and I bloody loved it. Isola 2000 and Auron are under a 2 hour drive for me so it’s easy to leave home at 6.30 and have a full day on the snow.

Last year I used purely rental gear but this year I want to buy new boots and a decent second hand board…

Any recommendations? I have big feet so will get a board in the 156-161W range. I’m 180cms and 78 kilos. With a shoes size EU45.5.

On costs, what always held me back in Melbourne was the price. I did try it once but it was so expensive that it wasn’t worth it.

Here a lift pass costs 45 euros for the day at Auron, that’s about 70 Aus dollars.