Australian snow fields are way over priced. Having boarded in Europe for 2 years coming back to Oz is a bit of a let down. Although it is still fun, you definitely don't get what you pay for compared with other destinations.
Perisher is obviously the best skiing in Australia. I've worked and skied all the hills and only Perisher offers so much new ground to explore. The crowds are minimal and the prices are to provide a vast lift system that covers a huge area. It's excellent value.
I have been a season pass holder, at Perisher, for 4 years now and been going for six years. It is the most expensive thing I do and a complete rip off considering the amount of snow, the quality of snow and the vertical drop. It is laughable what they charge. The only reason I still go is because I am totally addicted to the sport.
P.s. Guys, offer some discounts to long term pass holders.
Lift tickets at Perisher are twice the price they are in resorts in Switzerland, France and Italy for starters.
In fact, I have reduced the number of days I ski in Australia to 2 days per season purely because of the cost of the lift tickets. Instead, I'm going overseas as I get a much better whoosh for my buck.
I have been skiing for almost 30 years and have been to America, Japan and Canada during the Christmas holidays. I have been to Perisher for a week in our winter. Unfortunately, Perisher's lift prices and the national park's entrance fee are too expensive. If you want really good snow go overseas. Kind regards, Ray Nichols.
Perisher is the bomb. From challenging the experienced skier, to teaching my kids, the service, choice of terrain and quality of the groomed slopes is outstanding. Yeah, I hope they sling me a free day pass for being so nice. It's an expensive sport, (wait until you walk out of the ski shop with 3 kids kitted out), but I get to surf for free all year round and they have a limited season to make a dollar. I guess what I mean is there is always Xcountry if you like travel across boarders. It's a long way to Hotham though. Good skiing everyone ski with a smile.
I believe Perisher is one of the, if not the, most overpriced skiing resort in the world. To think you can ski from one country to another in Europe for less than the cost of a 1 day pass in Perisher. And it's not as if you are paying for better snow here. The snow is ten times better in Europe. I will continue to go to Perisher but only due to its convenience.
I live in Queensland and have made the trip to Perisher Blue each year for the past 5 years. The 4 villages combined (Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Mt Blue Cow and Guthega) make for excellent value on your lift pass; a total of 3076 acres. After 8 years, I'm still discovering the nooks and crannies of Mt Blue Cow and the absolutely stunning Guthega. This is the most accessible ski field in Australia and what an amazing landscape change from Queensland to Perisher Blue. Many European visitors are stunned at the facilities and the amazing weather in the Australian Alps, heavy snowstorms overnight and crystal clear days.... reminds me of north Queensland.... except stinking hot!
I visited Perisher June/July 07 for a few days;I found the resort to be very nice and the people very friendly. The weather was amazing (for snow lovers) it snowed heavily pretty much for 2 days so many of the runs where closed. They don’t take any risks so in weather where most lifts would be open in European ski resorts, here they close them.
Having traveled half way across the world to visit Australia I had not expected to go skiing but I am very glad I did but I did not have my own equipment, however, the rental equipment in this report is the best by far I have ever come across and very well organised.
If you find yourself in Australia during June – September find the time to go there. There is something quite surreal about skiing in what should be summer. For me one of the highlights was relaxing after a hard day skiing, with a drink watching Wimbledon tennis on the TV while a blizzard was raging outside.
An amazing place to ski for what it is. A real winter play-ground full of rolls, bumps, rocks, trees small and BIG wind blown cornices; and a considerably large area to discover. Infrastructure is big and the village itself is set to improve. To ski in Australia is a truly unique experience and if you receive the right conditions, a real special memory. Downside is anytime may be not enough, wet or icy snow with freezing winds. It usually snows at about a 90 degree angle here (hence creating some awesome drops and cornices) great atmosphere to be found in lodges and bars around the resort or if you stay at the lead in town to the mountains, Jindabyne down below at 1000m. Excellent under-the-mountain train system will get you to the resort rain, hail or snow and is a significant feature of the resort. If you are prepared to hikew a little outsiode the resort there is even better untouched virgen wilderness to be experienced. Don´t die without knowing that we love to ski in Australia as well.