PERISHER ALPINE RESORT
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- Approx 2.5 hour drive from Canberra, just over 5 hours from Sydney
- Large resort with huge choice of accommodation (club lodges, apartments, chalets) & some properties open year round.
- A wide range of cafes, restaurants & bars
- 4 Skiing/Boarding areas across the resort (Perisher Valley, Blue Cow, Smiggin Holes, Guthega)
- Village Height: 1720m (Perisher Valley), Highest Lifted Point: 2034m, Highest Point: 2054m
- 47 Lifts servicing 120 runs
- Largest alpine resort in the Southern Hemisphere with 1245 hectares of terrain (beginners: 22%, intermediate: 60%, advanced: 18%)
- Longest Downhill Run: 3kms
- 5 Terrain Parks
- Extensive snow making area (240 snow making guns)
- Ski/board/equipment hire, retail outlets, supermarket
- Downhill skiing and boarding, including night skiing (Tues: all season, Sat: July & Aug)
- Private and group lessons available for all skill levels
- Over 100kms of Cross-Country ski trails
- Snow Tubing, Tobogganing, Snowshoeing, Snow Grooming Tours, Scenic Chairlift Rides
- Child Care service for ages 6 months to 3 years (snow season)
- Medical Centre (snow season)
- 2 wheel drive vehicles, entering Kosciuszko National Park, must (by law) carry correctly fitting wheel chains during the June and October long weekends and fit them where directed. 4 wheel drives and all wheel drives are recommended to carry wheel chains.
The High Country of New South Wales has a long history of skiing. While the NSW alpine resorts, that we know today, were established from the 1930’s and later, what many don’t realise is that skiing history in Australia actually dates back to 1861. The ghost town of Kiandra, north of Adaminaby, is said to be where the world’s first ski club was formed. As many as 10,000 gold seekers flocked to Kiandra in 1860 and by 1861, wooden skis (known as snowshoes back then) were being made and used on the landscape around the town. The Kiandra Pioneer Ski Club was based at Kiandra for around 100 years, until the Club purchased a lodge at Perisher Valley in 1966 and moved there. The lodge is still the base for the Club and provides members with access to the Perisher Alpine Resort.
Perisher Alpine Resort is the largest alpine resort in the Southern Hemisphere and is just over a 30km drive west of Jindabyne and about a 2.5 hour drive from Canberra. Situated in the Kosciuszko National Park close to the highest peak in Australia, Mt Kosciuszko, this world class Winter destination combines 4 resort areas, with the first ski lodges built in the 1930’s.
These 4 resort areas are Perisher Valley, Blue Cow, Smiggin Holes and Guthega, attracting visitors each Winter for the huge area of terrain that can be enjoyed, with 47 lifts servicing 120 runs, across 1245 hectares. This large resort only operates during the snow season, although the surrounding Kosciuszko National Park is a year round favourite for many.
Across the resort there are many accommodation options, with several properties providing ski in/ski out access to the slopes. The village areas are generally at the base of the slopes, giving them a more sheltered location with facilities like restaurants, bars and retail outlets within walking distance of accommodation. Perisher is a family friendly resort with excellent facilities catering for children, from snow play through to private skiing and snowboarding lessons.
Day visitors can find parking at Perisher Valley and Guthega and a free shuttle bus service. There is only limited overnight parking at Guthega with some lodges throughout Perisher providing parking for their guests. Enquire with lodges directly regarding parking and oversnow transport availability. A convenient way to get to Perisher is via the Skitube. Starting at Bullocks Flat Terminal, (about 19kms west of Jindabyne along the Alpine Way) this 8.5km long train line carries passengers to Blue Cow and Perisher Valley. It travels 6.3kms underground, providing quick access to Perisher and free parking is available at Bullocks Flat. An oversnow transport service is also available to lodges from the Perisher Valley Skitube Terminal (contact 02 6457 5334 for details). Visitors can also fly to the Snowy Mountains Airport near Cooma, which is only 77kms east of Perisher and is serviced by Regional Express Airlines.
A Park Entry Fee needs to be paid for vehicles upon entering Kosciuszko National Park, year-round, if going to Thredbo, Charlotte Pass, Perisher or the surrounding alpine areas. Follow this link to further information about entering Kosciuszko National Park
Skiers and Snowboarders love the wide open spaces and spectacular scenery of Perisher. Being the largest alpine resort in the Southern Hemisphere, there’s a seemingly endless amount of terrain to explore, with 47 lifts servicing 120 runs.
Private and group lessons are available for Children and Adults of all skill levels from ages 3 and up and there’s also 3 hour and full day programs available for Children up to 15 years of age. Perisher provides a Child Care service for ages 6 months to 3 years during the snow season. For all ski school information and bookings contact Perisher on 1300 655 822.
Perisher is renowned for its terrain parks that cater for all levels. There are 5 progressive parks, half pipes and rider cross courses. There are large and small parks that cater for everyone from beginners, wanting to challenge themselves for the first time on rails and boxes, through to world class expert facilities.
Cross-country skiers have a vast area of snow covered landscape to explore with over 100kms of marked, groomed trails through snowgum woodlands and across open alpine plains affording stunning views across the roof of Australia. There’s plenty of back country areas to discover, which is also where energetic downhill skiers and snow boarders hike out to enjoy an often empty landscape all to themselves.
Snowshoeing is a great way to get around the resort with pretty trails to follow or just hop into a pair of snowshoes to go from one part of the village to another. They make for easier walking in deep snow as they’re designed to stop you from sinking in. Snow Tubing at ‘Tube Town’ is another popular and fun activity that can be found close to the day visitor carpark at Perisher Valley.
Perisher is a world class ski resort with facilities catering to all age groups and skill levels. Extensive snow making equipment ensures a quality coverage of snow when Mother Nature needs a little help with topping up the generally excellent snow conditions.
Visitors to this part of the High Country also enjoy accessing the Kosciuszko National Park outside of the snow season for a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, fishing, free camping, cycling and mountain biking. One of the main walking trail heads to Mt Kosciuszko is only 6kms further up the Kosciuszko Rd from Perisher. Detailed information on camping in this spectacular National Park can be found here
Hiking to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko is on the bucket list of many and more information on this iconic walk can be found here
Images supplied courtesy of Perisher Ski Resort
To contact Perisher Ski Resort, phone: 1300 655 822
