Australia
Australia has some nine resorts located on the eastern mountain ranges on the state borders of New South Wales and Victoria. There are also places to ride on the separate southern island of Tasmania. All the main resorts are easy to reach from the two major ports of entry, Melbourne and Sydney.
Overall Australian snowboarding opportunities are no where near as good as what is available in Europe, North America or at nearby New Zealand. Still to make up for dull mountains with below average slopes, the aussies have a reputation for being party animals.
Road travel in Australia is good but with the draw back of having to pay high toll charges at the entry gates to some mountain ski areas. Once through the entrance gate, snow chains must be carried at all times. It is illegal not to have them and could result in a A$200 fine.
There are internal flights from Melbourne and Sydney to airports closer to the resorts, but prices are pretty steep.
If a train ride through the countryside is what you seek enroute to a resort, then central station in Sydney or Spencer Street in Melbourne is where to head for. Melbourne doesn't have any direct train line going to any of the apline regions, however theres a train service direct from Sydney to Jindabyne, the major station for NSW resorts.
Bus companies run daily trips from the major cities to the bigger resorts. Costs vary, but for around you A$55 you can kick back and watch a video while some one else does the driving.
Accomodation will vary depending on your budget. Five star chalet lodges, club lodges and hostels can be found above the snowline but it may be cheaper if a bed is sought in a nearby town.
If you want to spend a season in Australia, it would be best to get here in late April, as this is when resorts start advertising job vacancies. The normal Australian winter season is between June and mid September.
Popular Resorts
Heres the most popular 9 resorts on this site in the last 7 days in Australia:
World Snow Update - 5th August
Thu 05 August 10Up to 8cm of fresh snow in the Alps. Big snowfalls up to two feet/60cm in 48 hours - In Australia. More Snow In Chile and Argentina. Warming up in Africa
Photo: Duane Strauss rider: Mick Hoetzer
A Week Of Warm Weather In The Northern Alps
Wed 21 July 10Norway's three glacier ski areas all close earlier than expected due to warm weather. Last weekend of Canadas summer ski season. Val dIsere summer ski season finishes. Mt Hotham snowmaking up 155% on last season, equivalent to 111 Olympic swimming pools worth. Record skier numbers in New Zealand.
Heavy Snow in Southern Hemisphere
Sun 18 July 10Heavy snow in Australia. A dozen ski areas open in the Alps battle high temperatures on their glaciers. Deep powder in Chile.
More snowmaking at Falls Creek in Oz for 2010
Mon 15 February 10AU $2.5million is being spent over the summer to improve snow cover with the purchase of 28 automatic snow cannons. The resort has also announced that the Wombats Ramble will be open for night boarding on wednesday & saturdays
TTR down-under this season
Fri 05 June 09Thedbo Freeride Series, Burton New Zealand Open, Oakley Stylewars, Boost Mobile Sno Sho and yet more competitions to be announced in what could be an epic season in Australia and New Zealand
2007 Australian Open Results
Tue 28 August 07Kelly Clark and Andy Finch take the halfpipe titles and Brit Jenny Jones comes 8th after her podium finish in the slopestyle
Planet X Winter Games 2007 results
Tue 14 August 07In between the gales, Jake McCarthy & Ryan Tiene picked up the 1/4 pipe tow-in and Huck & Chuck titles
Fresh Snow for Perisher Blue Opening
Fri 08 June 07Perisher Blue opens today and gets some fresh stuff to make it a great day
First Snow Falls Down Under
Tue 22 May 07With just 18 days to go until the official opening of the ski season, the entire Perisher Blue Ski Resort has been coated with 10-15cm of fresh snow
Australia Spends Big
Wed 16 May 07Australian alpine resorts have invested heavily in improving their alpine winter experience, particularly with large investments in snowmaking.
Useful information
Population:19.9million
Capital City: Canberra
Language: English
Currency: Australian Dollar (A$)
Highest Peak: Mount Kosciuszko 2229 m
Drugs Information: Cannabis is illegal
Alcohol Drinking 18
Electricity Supply: 240 Volts AC 3 Pin plugs
Driving: Drive on the left hand side
Speed Limits
d
110km/h Motorways
100km/h normal
60km/h built up areas
International Phone Code: +61
Further Information:
Resorts
- Charlotte Pass
- Falls Creek
- Mount Baw Baw
- Mount Buffalo
- Mount Buller
- Mount Hotham
- Perisher
- Selwyn Snowfields
- Thredbo Alpine Village
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