7 things to know before you go skiing in Thredbo

A charming village life, epic all-night parties and intermediate-skewed slopes make skiing in Thredbo a winter holiday favourite.

What makes cashing in your annual leave for a visit to this NSW ski resort worth it? A long list of things spanning family-friendly thrills, unforgettable bar hopping and a diverse mix of accommodation options. Here, we’ve whittled the lot down to the key things to wrap your head around before skiing Thredbo.

1. If you’re after apres, skiing Thredbo is your best bet

While none of Australia’s alpine resorts can quite compare to the scenes in Europe, Thredbo is the country’s best contender. It’s home to impressive bars, some of which double as clubs, and caters to a wide array of punters.

Fancy a relaxed drink in the company of an open fireplace, while relaxing on leather sofas and armchairs overlooking snow-capped mountains? Visit Lounge Bar in the Thredbo Alpine Hotel from 2pm daily.

Spice up your Friday night at the Lounge Bar. (Image: Ben Calvert)

After a second convivial option? Make a beeline for local stalwart, the Apres Bar in The Denman Hotel.

Spend date night at Apres Bar. (Image: Destination NSW)

Keen to dial things up a notch or five after a day spent skiing Thredbo? Try the Keller Bar, renowned as the village’s only true ‘club’ and hosting full moon parties among other events on select dates.

Enjoy the starlight dinner at Kareela Hutte.

There’s also Kareela Hutte, a winter-only ski-in, ski-out venue dishing up exquisite a la carte meals and premium cocktails, beer and wine, and for tasty home-made Glühwein over live music, try the bar at the River Inn hotel near Friday Flat with its spacious, atmospheric deck.

Admire spectacular views of the Snowy Mountains on the outdoor deck of Kareela Hutte.

2. It’s a mecca for intermediate skiers and snowboarders

Nearly 70 per cent of the pistes at Thredbo can be classed as intermediate, which makes it a great spot for those who’ve already dabbled in skiing or snowboarding and are looking to level up their proficiency.

Thredbo is home to Australia’s longest ski runs and best mountain hiking trails. (Image: Alexandra Adoncello/Destination NSW)

There’s the wicked Supertrail, which rings in at 3.7 glorious kilometres, as well as the longest vertical drop of all the Aussie ski resorts clocking in at 672 metres. Beyond its 50+ kilometres of slopes, Thredbo also has four terrain parks, complete with jumps and rails to help you get the most out of skiing in Thredbo.

Learn how to ski with your family in Thredbo. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. It’s smaller in scale but big on amenities

If the amount of skiable terrain available is a deciding factor for your next holiday on the slopes, then Perisher does have an edge over Thredbo. After all, you can’t argue with the fact Perisher is the largest ski area in not only Australia, but the Southern Hemisphere.

There’s nothing better than cruisy laps on a chilly morning in Thredbo.

However, when it comes to atmosphere and amenities, Perisher doesn’t hold a candle to Thredbo. The former doesn’t have a central ski village of its own and offers fewer accommodation options. Skiing in Thredbo comes with a tiny but mighty village at the base of the mountains so chasing that après life is a cinch.

Join in the fun at Australia’s best ski resort.

A diverse variety of hotels, lodges, chalets and apartments glitter with unforgettable mountain views and there’s also dining experiences right across all your favourite international cuisines.

Sip your morning coffee before doing ski runs.

A collection of stores to pick up any last-minute ski garb you’re missing is also on hand. The range of ski-in/ski-out properties available is, however, more limited than at other ski resorts across NSW and Victoria but the ones Thredbo does contain deliver magical snow-scattered experiences every season.

Family days are best-spent skiing.

4. It’s one of only two Australian ski fields included on the Ikon Pass

Keen skiers looking to get more bang for their buck (and ski all over the globe) should investigate the Ikon Pass which covers both Thredbo and Mount Buller in Australia.

Glide through the snowy slopes on the Ikon Pass.

Internationally, the multi-resort multi-day pass includes more than 40 other ski resorts across Europe and North America, plus Niseko, Chile’s Valle Nevado and New Zealand’s Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mount Hutt.

Make the most of your ski adventures with Ikon Pass.

5. Yes, you can bring the kids

With ten dedicated ski programs catering to those aged anywhere from three up to 17, it’s fair to say Thredbo is a family-friendly resort. And if you feel like your little one needs extra special attention, private ‘It’s All About Me’ lessons for children aged from two to four, plus private lessons for those aged five and over are both included in the mix.

Springtime is a fun time to ski with friends and family.

Lift passes are also heavily discounted for children with rates increasing incrementally up until 21 years of age. Patient mums and dads can also take to the slopes with the kids in tow. Friday Flat is perfect for beginners, though critics may caution that the snow at the base of the mountain has a tendency to verge towards slushy.

Spring is all about learning to turn in Thredbo.

Regardless, its easy-going slopes are made for youngsters. And the kids’ action doesn’t stop there. There are truckloads of kid-focused activities for families skiing Thredbo. Every Thursday, as dusk falls, the resort stages its Kids’ Flare Run & Fireworks and there’s school holiday Snow Festivals that include movie nights, fire pit S’mores making, animal character selfie opportunities on the snow, dancing, games and prize giveaways. The village also offers further off-piste activities for little ones.

The Kids Flare Run is an unmissable event in Thredbo.

6. It’s home to Australia’s only alpine Gondola

A scenic adventure in itself, Thredbo’s Merritts Gondola is an eight-person, fully enclosed Euro-style cable car that travels from the base of the village, right near the Kosciuszko Chairlift, 298 metres up to Merritts Mountain House at the base of the Cruiser area.

It’s fast and warm, making the six-minute journey up the stunning powder-laced hill completely cosy, recharging and breathtaking. And again, it’s a fabulous kid-friendly activity as there’s an unofficial yet spacious patch of powder right when you step off the Gondola that begs for giddy children to build a snowman or throw a few balls at their parents.

When the chill gets the better of you all, pop back on the Gondola for a quick return to Village life. How convenient.

Take in snowy sights on the Merritts Gondola.

7. If you don’t have gear, you can rent just about everything

If skiing is more of a once-every-few-years type of holiday for you and your clan, you don’t need to pour money into sourcing an entire kit before you go. All the flashy sporting brands including Rossignol, Nitro and Burton can be loaned through a rental package right at the base of the mountains, which is also going to cut your luggage size down dramatically.

See the pristine beauty of Thredbo on a snowshoe adventure. (Image: Destination NSW)

Choose from clothing or equipment packages and let the team size you up for the perfect fits and thrills. There are also discounts to be snapped up if you book the packages together with your lift passes prior to skiing Thredbo.

Nothing beats skiing in Thredbo. (Image: Destination NSW)

Plus, two central locations situated next to car parks and plenty of accommodation options, are fitted with lockers to make changing in and out of your on-mountain adventures extremely convenient.

Reach Thredbo Community Bell at Australia’s Highest Lifted Point. (Image: Destination NSW)

Written by Chloe Cann with entries 6 and 7 written by Kristie Lau-Adams.

Keep reading our Thredbo travel guide for more tips on planning the ultimate escape to this rugged part of NSW all year round.