Ski Thredbo, Snowy Mountains, NSW

Thredbo ski fields, in NSW’s Kosciuszko National Park, are home to Australia’s longest ski run, the 5.9km from Karel’s T-Bar to Friday Flat, across wide open slopes and fascinating snowgum trails.

World Class Skiing
Photo: Susan Wright. Courtesy Tourism New South Wales

With 672 metres of vertical and its highest elevation at 2,037 metres, 14 lifts and 480 hectares of terrain, Thredbo is the place to ski, snowboard or après-ski in NSW. For beginners, intermediate or advanced skiers and snowboarders, there is something for everyone in Thredbo. As the advertising slogan says – Thredbo, You’ll like it!

Friday Flat is purpose-built for beginners with a carpet lift and chairlift. Intermediates can cruise the Cruiser at Meritts and carve the Supertrail down the main spine of Crackenback mountain. The more adventurous might make their way to Antons and Sponars. Advanced skiing includes The Bluff and on to Cannonball Run and Little Beauty or for mogul city try Funnel Web.

Advanced, intermediate and beginner terrain parks are available for boarders, as well as access to the main mountain lift system.

Facilities are dotted throughout the mountain, so whether you want to return to the village for lunch, or stop for a quick snack and hot chocolate on-snow the choice is there for you.

Photo: Courtesy Tourism New South Wales

Cross-country skiing and snow shoeing opportunities are also abundant. Enquire about tracks in the village.

Thredbo Village
One of Thredbo’s attractions is its classic alpine village atmosphere. The village snuggles into the mountainside opposite the ski hill, where you can watch skiers return to the base. Cobbled walkways are lined with stylish restaurants, cafes, pizza and kebab houses. There is a range of bars where you can dance, drink and be merry after skiing is over.

Holiday Options

Adventure and extreme sports including skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing are the main drawcard for Thredbo; in the Summer bushwalking and mountain biking rule, along with a little golf.

Photo: Courtesy Tourism New South Wales

Thredbo caters to both children and beginners, with a large and reputable kids ski school at Friday Flat base and a crèche nearby for younger non-skiing children. Just make sure you book in advance to get the dates you want.. Group and private lessons are available for all levels of skiing and snowboarding. Friday Flat is a wide, gentle slope perfect for beginners and snowmaking machines ensure a good cover of snow.

When to Go?

The June long weekend (Queens Birthday weekend) is the opening of the ski season and this runs through to early October with late Spring skiing (if the snow holds).

Thredbo is also a popular summertime destination as a starting point for the walk to the top of Mount Kosciuszko (6km from the top of the chair). The village houses a golf course, mountain biking and horse riding facilities as well as paragliding from Crackenback Mountain. Summer trips up the ski lift are a must for views of spectacular mountain scenery.

How to get There

Just three hours from Canberra, Jindabyne is five hours drive from Sydney via Canberra and Cooma, or seven hours from Melbourne via Khancoban, Thredbo is also accessible by plane to Cooma, which is 97km away along the Alpine Way.

You will definitely need to bring your own car if you are not staying on-snow, in order to make the daily trip from Jindabyne, half an hour away. Alternatively, ski tour groups are available out of Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne which include coach trips, accommodation and daily shuttles.

How long to go for?

You’d have to be a workaholic and a keen skier to make the trek to the snow for less than 3 days. To some extent you may be limited by accommodation package options, which are typically 5 days midweek, 2 nights over the weekend or 7 days for the week.

Whilst you can ski the whole of Thredbo in a day, if you like to experience skiing, snowboarding and the nightlife, plan to go for at least a week.

Where to Stay?
 
Photo: Jon Armstrong. Courtesy Tourism New South Wales

A wide range of self-contained and hotel accommodation is available in Thredbo Village, along the Alpine Way between Jindabyne and Thredbo and in Jindabyne itself. Thredbo is quite self-contained, offering access to a supermarket and chemist as well as restaurants, bars, equipment hire and  retail shops.

Browse accommodation options in Thredbo

Staying in Jindabyne is often a cheaper option, and a host of full facilities are available, although the half hour drive each way to the ski fields may sway your decision. Staying in Jindabyne offers you the option of skiing Perisher-Blue as well, also a half hour drive or ski-tube trip away. Find great places to stay in Jindabyne.

Or, browse more Snowy Mountains accomodation.

More Information

If you’re unfamiliar with the Snowy Mountains and all that the area offers, you should stop by one of the three visitor information centres on your way into the area:

Cooma Visitor Information Centre
Address:  119 Sharp Street, Cooma.
Phone:  02 - 6450 1742 or 1800 636 525
Fax:  02 - 6450 1798.
Email:  info@visitcooma.com.au
Open Time:  Open daily during winter and holidays. Closed Christmas Day and New Years Day.

Snowy Region Visitor Information Centre
Address:  Kosciuszko Road, Jindabyne.
Phone:  02 - 6450 5600.
Fax:  02 - 6456 1249.
Email:  srvc@npws.nsw.gov.au 
Open Time:  0800 - 17:30 Winter Holidays 0830 - 1700 Daily excluding Winter Holidays.

Tumut Region Visitor Information Centre
Address:  Adelong Road, Tumut.
Phone:  02 - 6947 7025.
Fax:  02 - 6947 3752.
Email:  tumutrvc@npws.nsw.gov.au 
Open Time:  Open daily - Closed Christmas Day only.

View more places to stay in the Snowy Mountains.

View article on more Holiday Places in NSW:
Holiday in the Great Lakes, North Coast NSW
Holiday in Aberdeen, Upper Hunter, NSW
Holiday in Coonabarabran and the Warrumbungles, Central West, NSW
Holiday in Bredbo, Monaro/Snowy, NSW
Holiday in Jervis Bay, NSW

NSW highlights include the dazzling city lights in Sydney to breathtaking beaches and coastal areas. To find out what's happening in NSW during your trip visit holiday events NSW. More accommodation is available in the regions surrounding the Snowy Mountains.

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