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The 5 Best Ski Resorts in Australia

Originally posted on Powder | By Izzy Lidsky | Last updated May 24, 2025 8:12 AM ET

Perhaps lesser known for skiing than its mountainous southern hemisphere neighbor, Australia still has a range of fantastic ski areas. New South Wales and Victoria are known for being the more mountainous parts of the country and are home to Australia's 16 ski areas.

Three of Oz's bigger resorts sit in Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales, which is a 6+ hour drive from Melbourne, but offer lots of vert and a wide variety of terrain. Closer to Melbourne, in Victoria, you can find charming alpine villages, high-elevation skiing, and reliable snow coverage. Here are a few of Australia's best ski areas for those considering a trip to ski Oz.

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Photo: Wirestock/Getty Images

1. Thredbo

Thredbo is widely considered one of Australia's best ski areas due to its vertical drop and wide variety of quality terrain. The ski area falls entirely within the boundaries of Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales, at the end of the Great Dividing Range. Skiers can visit Australia's highest point on the summit of Mt. Kosciuszko, via the Kosciuszko Express Chair, and then ski 2,205 vertical feet back down. The area has 1,186 skiable acres and 16 lifts to enjoy its notoriously long, steep runs.

Thredbo is also home to Australia's longest ski run, Supertrail, which spans 3.7 km or 2.2 miles and requires three lifts to access the start. At the base of the mountain, Thredbo Village also has ski-in, ski-out lodging, great dining options, and a lively après scene.

Perisher Ski Area.Photo: zetter/Getty Images

2. Perisher

Perisher is the largest ski area in the southern hemisphere and easily one of Australia's most popular. Like Thredbo, Perisher is within the bounds of Kosciuszko National Park and has four main villages to access skiing, spanning across seven peaks. The resort has 1,165 feet in vertical drop and a whopping 48 lifts to service more than 3,000 skiable acres and 110 trails.

While Perisher is also known for having some of the most consistent snowfall and great lift-served backcountry access, there is tons of intermediate terrain, as well as dedicated beginner learning areas. A fantastic destination for families, Perisher offers a variety of ski-in, ski-out lodging, ski school and childcare facilities.

From the top of Mt. BullerPhoto: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

3. Mt. Buller

A bit less out of the way than other Australian resorts, Mt. Buller is a three-hour drive from Melbourne and has the largest lift network in Victoria. The mountain has 1,411 feet in vertical drop, 741 acres of skiable terrain and 22 lifts.

Mt. Buller's intermediate terrain makes up 45% of the mountain, but there's still plenty of great terrain for beginners and advanced skiers. The Mt. Buller Village has plenty of lodging options, as well as dining and après spots, making Mt. Buller a destination spot for skiers in Victoria.

4. Hotham

Hotham is located within the Australian Alpine National Park on the Victoria side of the Great Dividing Range. Australia's highest mountain village, at 4,575 feet, Hotham's Village sits above treeline for a truly alpine ski experience. The mountain's summit is at 6,106 feet, giving the mountain 1,296 feet of vertical drop and 791 skiable acres.

Hotham doesn't have much beginner terrain, but what it lacks in green runs, it makes up for in expert terrain and access to cat skiing. To spice things up even more, Hotham also has night skiing and a terrain park off the summit.

Falls CreekPhoto: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

5. Falls Creek

Falls Creek is located in northeastern Victoria, high in the Australian Alps. The largest ski area in Victoria, Falls Creek has 1,112 acres of skiable terrain and over 1,247 feet of vertical drop. With 60% of the terrain being intermediate rated, Falls Creek is a fantastic option for groups of mixed abilities and families.

There are also three terrain parks across the mountain, making it a destination for freeride and slopestyle skiers. The mountain village is also pedestrian-only and truly has tons of options for its 100% ski-in, ski-out lodging.

This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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