THREDBO ALPINE RESORT
Scroll beyond the links below for resort information
- Approx 2.5 hour drive from Canberra, 5.5 hrs from Sydney, 6 hrs from Melbourne
- Large resort with huge choice of accommodation (club lodges, apartments, chalets)
- A wide range of cafes, restaurants & bars
- Village Height: 1365m, Highest Lifted Point: 2037m
- 14 Lifts servicing over 50 runs
- 480 Hectares of terrain (beginners: 16%, intermediate: 67%, advanced: 17%)
- Australia’s longest downhill run: The Supertrail at 3.7kms long
- Terrain Parks for all skill levels
- Extensive snow making area
- Ski/board/equipment hire, retail outlets and supermarket
- Downhill skiing and boarding, including night skiing (on selected days)
- Private and group lessons available for all skill levels
- Cross-Country Skiing on the Main Range
- Snow Tubing, Tobogganing, Snow Biking, Snowshoeing, Scenic Chairlift Rides (365 days a year)
- Child Care service for ages 6 months to 6 years (snow season)
- Medical Centre (Winter)
- Non-Winter attractions: Renowned Summer resort, Thredbo Mountain Bike Park, alpine hiking (including guided walks), fishing, bobsled, road cycling, tennis, golf, indoor leisure centre, scenic chairlift rides (365 days a year)
- Year round festivals and events including fishing, kids school holiday adventure festivals, mountain biking festivals, Christmas & Easter,
- 2 wheel drive vehicles, entering Kosciuszko National Park, must (by law) carry correctly fitting wheel chains between 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 snow covered landscape around the town.
Almost 100 years later, in the 1950’s, Thredbo was established as a ski resort with lodges being built and the first chairlift, Crackenback, opening in 1958. Thredbo has a population under 500, which not only swells during the snow season but many times throughout the year, as this world class alpine resort offers regular festivals and events for visitors. Thredbo is on The Alpine Way, in a spectacular alpine valley, close to Mt Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest peak. Visitors travelling between Khancoban and Jindabyne pass right next to Thredbo Village and through some of the most picturesque landscapes in the High Country.
This European style village is positioned at the base of the slopes, with a huge choice of accommodation within walking distance of the Village Square, restaurants, cafes, all village facilities and the lifts. Free shuttle buses also operate throughout the village to conveniently and quickly get around during Winter. Thredbo Village offers a superb atmosphere at any time of year, but wandering the snowy streets in Winter offers a memorable and true snow holiday experience.
There’s a variety of restaurants, cafes, bars, retail outlets and a supermarket in the village with several (including the supermarket) open year round. During the snow season you’ll also find restaurants and cafes out on the slopes to warm up and refuel during the day. Thredbo is a multi award winning resort, including ‘Best Australian Ski Resort’ at the World Ski Awards. From families experiencing snow for the first time or experts exploring the advanced terrain, to trout fishing in an alpine stream or hiking to the top of Kosciuszko in the cool Summer air, Thredbo offers something for everyone in every season.
Crossing the bridge over the Thredbo River in Winter, towards the slopes, is always a highlight, anticipating the day ahead, whether you’re making first tracks through fresh powder snow or learning new skills at the terrain parks. Thredbo’s terrain parks are designed for all skill levels, allowing progression from the beginners ‘Easy Does It’ park, right through to the technical and most advanced ‘Antons’.
The highest chair lifted point in Australia is found at Thredbo, where you can ring the bell and announce your arrival at 2037 metres altitude! The longest ski run in Australia is also found at Thredbo with the 3.7km Supertrail taking you from 2037 metres right down to 1365. There’s a kids only flare run at Friday Flat every Thursday night followed by fireworks lighting up the sky and the snow! On Saturday nights an adults flare run lights up the Supertrail.
Thredbo has a world class ski and snowboard school located at Friday Flat, offering 1/2 day Thredboland kids programs for ages under 7, Freerider programs for ages 7-14 right through to adults lessons for all skill levels. Half day programs generally include a warm lunch, snacks, fun themes and activities, with Thredboland kids having exclusive access to Friday Flat Freddy. Freddy is a mini train used to ferry Thredbo’s littlest learners up the hill without having to ride a lift.
Friday Flat is a dedicated beginners’ area featuring yellow runs for first timers and The Burrow Wonder Carpet, an enclosed weather protected surface lift with clear sides. Private lessons are available for kids and adults and provide individual attention. They allow you to choose how long you want the lesson to go for and can include a group of 3 of your family or friends of a similar skill level. Thredbo caters for everyone, including those who just want to experience snow tubing, tobogganing, snow biking, snowshoe walks, disc golf, snowman building and scenic chairlift rides (chairlift rides available 365 days a year).
Cross-country skiing is available on the Main Range above Thredbo. While there are no groomed trails, you have the freedom to explore the alpine plains and from the top of the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift it’s only 6.5kms to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko! The weather can change quickly in all alpine areas, so ensure you are well equipped and experienced, before venturing out into the unpatrolled wilderness.
Thredbo has a unique appeal during the non-Winter seasons and it’s become renowned for it, with festivals, events and an amazing variety of activities on offer. Some of the activities available are:
- Mountain biking on Australia’s longest chairlift accessed trails. Mountain Bike Trail Map can be found here (season generally open mid November to end of April)
- Hiking throughout the village, Thredbo Valley and from the top of the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift it’s only 6.5kms to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko! More info can be found here
- Trout fishing (fishing licence required & available online here & the season opens Oct – June long weekends)
- Bobsled
- Tennis
- Skate park
- Australia’s highest golf course (9 holes, grass greens)
- Day spa/massages
- Visit the historical museum
Throughout the year Thredbo offers wonderful events and festivals, including:
- Fly fishing workshops
- Cannonball Mountain Bike Festival early December
- Mountain bike clinics
- Christmas and Easter festivals
- School Holiday Adventure Festivals
- Australia Day BBQ on Mt Kosciuszko
- Live music
The school holiday adventure festivals include: (some activities not available during all school holidays)
- Mountain bike/pump track workshops
- Guided walks
- Face painting
- Treasure hunts
- Trampoline sessions
- Roving performers/clowns
- Circus workshops
- Giant games like giant chess & checkers
- Slack lining
- Outdoor family movies
- Bouldering clinics
- Arts & crafts
Thredbo’s Leisure Centre is open year round and features:
- Gym with weights room perfect for altitude training at over 1360 metres altitude (personal trainers are available by appointment)
- Heated pool with learn to swim programs and squad training, inflatable obstacle course and waterslide.
- Acrobatic Centre of Excellence training facility includes 2 olympic size trampolines with professional instruction available.
- Yoga
- Bouldering wall
- Squash court
- Phone Thredbo Leisure Centre on 02 6459 4138
Whether you’re after a Winter holiday with the feel of a European mountain village or escaping the Summer heat in the cool air of the High Country, Thredbo is a true all season alpine resort. Touring the roads of this part of the High Country takes you through superb scenery, changing landscapes with the chance to see emus, kangaroos, brumbies and a variety of birdlife. Between Jindabyne and Thredbo is the picturesque Thredbo Valley & Crackenback
The Thredbo River, a trout fishing favourite, wanders down the valley, eventually flowing into Lake Jindabyne. One of the most popular, well designed and maintained walking and mountain bike tracks for visitors to Kosciuszko National Park, is the Thredbo Valley Track. This 16.7km (one way) track is generally flat and of an easy standard and has suspension bridges over the Thredbo River and passes through beautiful scenery between Bullocks Hut and Thredbo Alpine Resort.
The Thredbo Valley Track is shared (with bike riders being requested to give way to walkers) and can be enjoyed in stages by entering or finishing at various points along the way, including the Thredbo Diggings Campground or Ngarigo Campground. If you park at the eastern end of the trail near Lake Crackenback, to start the trail at Bullocks Hut, you don’t need to pay the Kosciuszko National Park entry fee. If you park further along the Thredbo Valley or at the campgrounds you will need to pay the entry fee. Further information on the Thredbo Valley Track, entry fees and road and track closures in the area are all outlined here
Heading west, further into Kosciuszko National Park, from Thredbo towards Khancoban (75km drive) and Victoria, The Alpine Way ascends to Dead Horse Gap where brumbies are often seen on and beside the road. The Alpine Way then descends around 1000 metres in just 18kms along the winding, forested road to the Tom Groggin Campground. It’s a unique drive and like most forested, mountain roads, should be driven with care and unhurried. Allow at least a couple of hours for the trip to Khancoban and stop off to explore Tom Groggin and Geehi campgrounds, and soak in the wilderness feeling, that we don’t often get by arriving somewhere by car! It’s a sealed, narrow road with some very tight corners and is unsuitable for caravans. There have been several caravans on the road when we’ve gone through and the longer the caravan, the more difficulty you can get yourself and others into.
Visitors can fly (year round) to the Snowy Mountains Airport near Cooma which is about 80kms east of Thredbo and is serviced by Regional Express Airlines. A fee is required to be paid upon entering Kosciuszko National Park, year round, if going to Thredbo or the surrounding alpine areas. If travelling between Jindabyne and Khancoban, in either direction, without stopping to use the resort or National Park, there’s no charge. There’s also no charge for entering Kosciuszko National Park from the north, via the Snowy Mountains Highway. Follow this link to further information about entering Kosciuszko National Park
Day and overnight parking is available within the village and some accommodation properties providing parking to guests. Follow this link to the parking and shuttle bus map
Follow this link for the Thredbo Ski Trail Map
To contact Thredbo Alpine Resort phone: 1300 020 059
Images supplied by Thredbo Alpine Resort unless otherwise watermarked.
