Australia is well known for its sandy outback, thriving surf culture and thick bushlands. With that in mind, you might be wondering: can you ski in Australia?
The answer is yes! Despite its tropical reputation, skiing in Australia is very possible and very popular.
At the moment, there's not a lot of snow on the ground, but once ski season is in full swing, make the most of Australia's diverse landscapes and head to the mountains! Here's everything you need to know to plan an amazing ski trip in Australia in 2026.
Where can you ski in Australia?
As a general rule of thumb, in most places where you can see snow in Australia, you can ski there too! You can find ski resorts in Australia in Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT.
Australia has five major downhill ski resorts: Perisher and Thredbo in New South Wales, and Mt Buller, Falls Creek and Mount Hotham in Victoria. Smaller resorts such as Selwyn Snow Resort and Charlotte Pass in NSW, Mount Baw Baw in Victoria, and Ben Lomond and Mount Mawson in Tasmania tend to be a bit quieter and more relaxed, perfect for beginners and families. The ski season generally runs from June through to early October, with late July generally delivering the best natural snow.
Read more: The 9 Best Winter Getaways in Australia
Choose your travel mates
When planning any trip, it's important to think about who you want to travel with, and ski trips in Australia are no exception!
If you're going to travel with friends, choose people you trust, feel comfortable around and genuinely enjoy spending time with. You don't have to spend every second of every day together, but compatible travel companions make the whole experience far more enjoyable.
If you're travelling on your own, be sure to check out our solo travel guide.
Ski resorts in Australia
Staying in or near a ski resort keeps you close to the slopes and makes the most of your time on the mountain. Many resorts also host weekly skiing activities, competitions and après-ski events, which are a great way to meet fellow skiers and make friends.
Thredbo Ski Village
Thredbo Ski Village in New South Wales is home to Australia's greatest vertical drop (672 m) and the longest ski run in the country. The village is full of restaurants, bars, shops and ski-in/ski-out accommodation, so you’ll never run out of things to do.
Falls creek
Falls Creek is a large, pedestrian-only ski village in Victoria, ideal for beginners thanks to its ski school. It's part of the Epic Pass alongside Perisher and Mt Hotham, which is great value if you plan to visit multiple resorts across the ski season.
Perisher
Perisher is the largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere, with 47 lifts, four village base areas and over 1,200 hectares of skiable terrain. You’ll spend all day on the slopes!
Mt Buller
Mt Buller is just three hours from Melbourne, perfect for a quick weekend away. Its many social events and competitions make it a favourite for people of all ages and skill levels.
Charlotte Pass
Charlotte Pass is Australia's highest and oldest ski resort, perched above 1,760m in the Snowy Mountains of NSW. It's accessible only by over-snow transport, so it can feel much quieter, and is well suited to beginner and intermediate skiers.
Ben Lomond Alpine Resort
Ben Lomond is Tasmania’s largest single alpine area, Australia’s largest boulder field, and home of five of the state’s top ten highest peaks! Here, you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, toboganning and more. Ben Lomond is only an hour's drive from Launceston, or you can join a tour.
Organising accommodation
Accommodation at Australian ski resorts ranges from budget-friendly to premium, so there's something for most price points.
Staying directly at the resort is super convenient, as the slopes are literally on your doorstep! Thredbo, Perisher and Mt Buller all have a range of on-mountain accommodation, from ski-in, ski-out chalets and boutique hotels to more affordable lodges. Charlotte Pass is a particularly memorable place to stay if you’ve got the cash - the iconic Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel gives you direct access to the highest ski slopes in Australia.
If you’re on a budget, take a look at what’s on offer in nearby towns. For example, the towns of Jindabyne (close to Perisher and Thredbo) and Bright (near Falls Creek and Mt Hotham) have a wide range of hostels, AirBnBs and hotels at lower prices than staying right on the mountain.
Tasmania's Mt Mawson Ski Resort is a bit more affordable still, with hut accommodation available for as little as $75 per night in the picturesque Mt Field National Park. If you’re planning your ski trip for the ACT, check out Cotter Campgrounds. It’s only 25 minutes from the CBD and has access to hot showers, flush toilets, barbeques and even fireplaces, making it the perfect spot to experience mid-winter camping - just make sure you pack extra-warm sleeping bags!
Find creative (and fun!) ways to stick to your budget
From travel costs to lift passes and gear hire, a ski trip in Australia can add up quickly. So, embrace some clever strategies for sticking to your budget on your holiday.
Rather than get on a plane, consider driving or catching a bus or train to your snowy escape. Not only is this a more cost-effective way to get around, but it can be super fun, especially if you’re travelling with a group of your best friends.
Another way to save some money is to do your research before investing in ski gear. Ski gear in Australia can be quite expensive to buy or even just to hire from a resort. If it’s an option, we would suggest borrowing some from a friend or checking out a peer-to-peer rental website like Quipmo. Think you’ll be skiing relatively often? Consider buying secondhand ski gear from Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace.
