Your Guide To Visiting Thredbo This Winter

Australia’s snow bunnies need look no further than Thredbo for a ski season to remember. Located in the heart of the Kosciuszko National Park, the alpine gem of Thredbo Resort was recently voted Australia’s Best Ski Resort for the sixth consecutive year at the prestigious World Ski Awards, and Australia’s Best Ski Resort for Families at the Out & About With Kids Awards for the fifth year in a row. It’s easy to see why the accolades are piling up. Featuring the country’s longest ski runs and highest lifted point, as well as Australia’s only alpine gondola, Thredbo’s wide variety of snow terrain is suitable for first-timers through to powder hounds. Just add a picturesque European-style village, buzzy après parties, kids’ festivals, action-packed skiing and snowboarding events and a series of once-in-a-lifetime on-mountain experiences and you’ve got the perfect balance of indulgence and snow-based fun.

Organise lift passes, equipment rental, lessons and more

The countdown is on for Thredbo’s 2023 winter season, kicking off on 10 June and running to 2 October. Day passes, snowsport lessons, equipment rentals and experiences are all available to book now. But be sure to book ahead to avoid disappointment – peak season dates have been known to sell out. As a bonus, guests booking in advance can save up to 35 per cent on lift passes. It’s also worth planning ahead for equipment rentals, with a 20 per cent discount available if you book your equipment online at the same time as your lift passes.

A quick guide to the snowfields

In winter, skiers and snowboarders flock to Thredbo to ride Australia’s longest runs and experience the wide variety of terrain on offer, with more than 50 trails connected by 14 lifts.

The purpose-built beginner area at Friday Flat is the best place for first-timers to find their snow feet and advance their skills in a safe environment before progressing to green runs such as Village Trail, that take riders all the way from top to bottom.

About two-thirds of Thredbo’s terrain is suited to intermediate riders, so experienced skiers and snowboarders are in for a treat. Head to Australia’s highest lifted point, Karels T-bar (2037 metres), where you can ring the community bell before riding Australia’s longest runs including Supertrail (3.7 kilometres) and High Noon (5 kilometres).

Advanced riders will find endless on and off-piste challenges in Thredbo including notorious black runs like Funnel Web and Cannonball, as well as powder bowls and natural features.

Ski and snowboard lessons from Thredbo’s team of instructors provide the opportunity to learn or improve your skills, build confidence on the mountain and access lift line priority.

Thredbo offers four terrain parks, ranging from an introductory park in the Cruiser area to more advanced options featuring medium jumps, big booters, technical boxes, rails and wallrides.

Australia’s only alpine gondola

Thredbo Resort lays claim to Australia’s only alpine gondola. The state-of-the-art Merritts Gondola is a high-speed eight-person gondola that takes skiers, snowboarders and scenic passengers from the village to the base of the Cruiser Area in about six minutes.

Events, unique on-mountain experiences and more

2023 Winter events calendar

Live music and entertainment

With a line-up of indulgent après events that rival the international scene, the action continues long after the skis are off. This winter, live music and entertainment will take over Thredbo village, with big-name headliners performing one-off gigs – watch this space for announcements.

On-Snow Action

From beginners to pros, the skiing and snowboarding action will be never-ending all season with events for all ages and abilities including Project Shred for the kids, the Thredbo Triple Crown freestyle series for skiers and snowboarders, and the snowboarders day of days – the 9^th Annual Transfer Banked Slalom.

Kids Snow Festivals

During the July and September school holidays, Kids Snow Festivals keep the smallest ones busy with movie nights, special kids’ flare runs and plenty of other on- and off-mountain activities, plus magical fireworks displays every Saturday night.

Saturday Night Flare Run & Fireworks

If you’re lucky enough to be on the mountain on a Saturday night, catch the mesmerising Flare Run, in which Thredbo’s expert team of skiers and snowboarders wind down Supertrail with flares in hand, followed by a fireworks spectacular that lights up the sky.

Unique on-mountain experiences

From watching the sunrise at Australia’s highest lifted point to special dining experiences at Kareela Hutte and the decadent G.H.Mumm Long Lunch, Thredbo's hugely popular series of unique on-mountain experiences and events return this winter.

• Kareela Supper Clubs presented by G.H. Mumm
  Select Saturdays from 8 July – 26 August
  Ride the gondola to Merritts Mountain House where a snowcat awaits to ferry you to Kareela Supper Club. You’ll watch the iconic Thredbo Flare Run and Fireworks Show from Kareela Hutte’s deck with G.H.Mumm champagne and canapés in hand.

• Kareela Snowcat Dinners presented by G.H. Mumm
  Select Wednesdays from 12 July – 30 August
  Don your finery and travel in high style in a passenger snowcat to the iconic Kareela Hutte on-mountain restaurant where a four-course dinner and wine experience awaits. Dine and sip as the village lights twinkle below.

• Merritts Mountain Haus Feasts
  Select Fridays from 23 June – 1 September
  There’s nothing more fitting in a snowy alpine setting than a hearty Bavarian-inspired feast. Ride under the stars in Merritts Gondola to Merritts Mountain House for an evening of merriment – lederhosen optional.

• Sunrise Sessions presented by Defender
  Every Tuesday from 25 July – 29 August
  The early awakening for Sunrise Sessions will be worth it when you’re sipping a G.H. Mumm mimosa at Australia’s highest lifted point. After an on-mountain breakfast, you’ll be sufficiently fuelled to make first tracks down Supertrail – Australia’s longest run.

• Discovery Tours presented by Defender
  Thursdays through Sundays from 3 July – 10 September
  Back for 2023, Discovery Tours are exclusive guided skiing or snowboarding tours of Thredbo. Uncover the best-kept secrets of Thredbo’s mountain and learn all about Thredbo’s history with an expert guide at the helm.

• Dead Horse Gap Tours presented by Defender
  Thursdays through Sundays from 3 August – 10 September
  Get a taste of Australia’s beautiful backcountry with maximum downhill riding on this half-day tour. Be guided through the iconic snowgums of Dead Horse Gap and find out about the history of the area. Learn basic back-country safety before cruising down to a waiting Land Rover Defender for your return to Thredbo.

Backcountry Tours

Bypass well-worn tracks and carve your own fresh turns in pure untouched snow on a Backcountry Tour. These trips (there are options for beginners through to advanced backcountry explorers) are full-day adventures with experienced guides for visitors seeking unmatched views of the Kosciuszko Mountain Range, untracked snow outside the resort’s boundaries and fascinating information on the region’s ski history, Indigenous heritage and ecosystem. You’ll be provided with a safety briefing and specialist equipment before setting out into the wilderness. Anyone embarking on these tours requires an upper intermediate to advanced level of skill, but those less confident on skis or snowboards can also book a three-hour Snowshoe Tour, suitable for anyone who can walk and has a reasonable level of fitness.

Dining

Thredbo Village has more than 30 venues for socialising, sipping and dining. Enjoy gourmet dinner with a view at Cascades Restaurant, a hearty meal at The Local Pub to keep you going on the slopes, woodfired pizzas from T-Bar Restaurant or delicious Mexican fare at House of Ullr.

There are plenty of on-mountain options too, with Merritts Mountain Haus, Kareela Hutte, Eagles Nest and Black Sallees popular refuelling stops between ski runs.

Where to stay

Hugging the base of the mountain and looking across to the ski slopes, Thredbo’s cute-as-a-button village has a great selection of hotels, lodges and apartments that embrace the ski-in, ski-out lifestyle.

Fronting directly onto the Village Square and close to the base of the Kosciuszko Express chairlift, the historical Thredbo Alpine Hotel is decked out in mountain-chic style and offers great in-house dining options including Lounge Bar for live music, cocktails and snacks by the fire.

If it’s five-star alpine luxury you’re seeking, settle in at Rock Pool Lodge, a two-bedroom chalet just a couple of minutes away from the ski lifts.

Centrally located Thredbo Alpine Apartments are ideal for families, offering one to three bedrooms as well as kitchens and balconies with superb mountain views.