Hoping to ski in Australia on a budget? Here is my complete guide to planning your ski or snowboard trip, while saving money in the process!
I’m going to start this article with a disclaimer: skiing in Australia is NOT CHEAP.
Compared to other popular ski destinations in the world, Australia has some of the most expensive prices for skiing and snowboarding. And its mountains are not nearly as big and majestic as places like the Alps or the Rocky Mountains.
That being said, I just went on my first ski trip in Australia and I loved it!
The mountains were stunning and the slopes were fun. We encountered both a hectic blizzard and a glorious sunrise on the mountaintop, and the little Victorian town we stayed in was adorable.
Though I wouldn’t fly to Australia solely for the snow, I do think it was a wonderful change of pace from our usual adventures of beaches and bushwalks.
I loved exploring a new part of this diverse country, and a ski trip is a fun way to spend some time in Victoria or New South Wales in winter.
A ski trip in Australia can be pretty expensive though. We spent a bit more money than I would have liked on our trip, but it was 100% worth it. It was also a learning experience, as I now know how to do it cheaper next time.
So here are my recommendations for saving money on your Australian ski trip!
How To Ski in Australia On A Budget
Here are all my tips for how to ski in Australia on a budget. This may be obvious but when I refer to skiing in Australia, I’m also referring to snowboarding in Australia! You can do both, but I personally am a skier so that’s what I’ll talk about the most.
First I’ll cover some basic info about where and when to ski in Australia. Most people don’t even know that you can ski in Australia! I personally didn’t know Australia had snow before I moved here.
Check out my complete guide to saving money abroad: 50 BUDGET TRAVEL TIPS
Planning your ski trip in Australia
Probably the first thing you want to do when planning a ski trip in Australia is decide where you want to go. There are a few areas in southeast Australia where you can ski or snowboard, and each area has several ski resorts to choose from.
Where in Australia has snow?
You can find enough snow for skiing and snowboarding in the highlands of New South Wales and Victoria, in southeast Australia. There may also be snow in Tasmania or ACT, but NSW and VIC are the most popular places for a ski trip in Australia.
You’ll have to travel inland and up into the higher elevations of the Snowy Mountains. This alpine region of the country is full of incredible national parks, charming mountain towns, and places for outdoor activities.
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, you can also go hiking, camping, mountain biking, and rock climbing in the Snowy Mountains of Australia.
Combine your skip trip with an epic Sydney to Melbourne road trip!
What are the best ski resorts in Australia?
The best ski resorts in Australia, such as Thredbo, Perisher, Mount Buller, and Mount Hotham, can be found in the highlands of NSW and VIC.
Melbourne or Sydney are the closest major cities with international airports to any of these ski resorts.
The Victoria ski resorts are around 3-5 hours drive from Melbourne. Ski resorts in New South Wales are about 5-6 hour drive from Sydney.
You can also fly into Hobart and drive around 2-3 hours to the nearest Tasmanian snowfields.
My ski trip in Australia was at Mount Hotham in Victoria, but these are some of the other best ski resorts in Australia!
Ski Resorts in New South Wales
- Thredbo
- Perisher (home to four different resorts: Perisher Valley, Blue Cow, Smiggin Holes and Guthega)
- Charlotte Pass
- Selwyn
Ski Resorts in Victoria
Ski Resorts in Tasmania
What months can you ski in Australia?
Ski season in Australia runs from June to October.
July, August, and September are the best months for skiing and snowboarding, as it’s the heart of winter and there is more snow.
Our ski trip to Victoria was in mid-July. There was an epic snowstorm during our stay, which made the experience so much more magical!
Note that you might not see any snow until you start driving up into the mountains, as the elevation around Australia might not be high enough.
Read next: Best Time To Visit Australia: A Complete Guide
How to ski in Australia on a budget – 10 tips to save money on your trip
Now the most important part, how to ski in Australia on a budget!
It’s really easy to just wing it and head down to the snow in Australia without planning anything in advance. But this is how you’ll end up spending more money than you need to.
I didn’t really research much before heading to Victoria for our skip trip, and I realize I could have saved more money if I had planned ahead.
So here are some ways to save money on your ski or snowboard trip.
1. Buy secondhand gear
Many people don’t have their own ski gear and will therefore have to rent at the mountain.
But hiring gear can add up, especially if you’re skiing for a few days.
If you’re only going to ski once in your life, of course just hire everything. But if there is a chance you’ll ski again, it’s worth investing in some of your own gear to save money on steep hire rates.
Secondhand gear is usually in great condition and only a fraction of the price. Check Facebook Marketplace, your local secondhand store, or a secondhand store in the ski town you’re in.
I found some used ski boots in Bright, Victoria where we stayed for only $25.
2. Consider cheap snow clothes as well
If you can’t find any good secondhand options, try getting snow clothes from budget shops.
Yes, it’s probably more sustainable to buy high-quality stuff that will last a lifetime.
But if you’re not in a position to throw down hundreds of dollars on top-notch snow clothes, check a local budget store. The quality can be surprisingly good!
I bought my snow clothes at ALDI, the budget grocery store. It was $70 for snow pants and a jacket, both of which held up great and kept me super dry and warm all weekend.
Don’t forget travel insurance if you’re going to be skiing or snowboarding in Australia! For US citizens, I love using Squaremouth Insurance to compare the best and cheapest plans.
3. If you’re going to ski often, get a season pass
Australia’s Epic Pass is the best deal for those who plan to ski or snowboard multiple times in a season.
Prices are around $1,000 AUD for unlimited access over a season, or $560 AUD for a 4-day pass.
This is pretty expensive, especially compared to other ski destinations in the world.
But the more you ski, the more you get value out of your season pass. Even the 4-day pass is cheaper than buying 4 days of skiing at a resort individually.
4. Try to get a discount through friend’s season passes
If you’re only going to ski once or twice and you don’t think an Epic Pass is worth it, see if any of your friends have an Epic Pass.
Pass holders have 6 “Bring a Mate” invites for a season, meaning they can bring a friend for a discounted rate.
So try to visit the snow with some friends and save money on your lift tickets!
5. Buy lift tickets online in advance
Another way to save money on your lift tickets is by buying them online in advance.
Most resorts charge more for tickets when you buy them at the counter on the day.
So if you know which days you’ll be skiing, book your tickets online as far in advance as you can to try and save some money.
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6. Ski on a weekday
Weekday lift tickets are often cheaper than weekend lift tickets
If you can swing a ski trip during the week, you’ll save money. There will also be fewer crowds on the slopes, shorter lines at the chairlifts, and more parking!
7. Stay in a cheaper destination off the mountain
Staying at the ski resort is usually the most expensive accommodation you can find on a ski trip.
Sure, it’s convenient and probably luxurious. There are times in life when it’s worth it to splurge on something amazing like that.
But with Australian prices being so steep, you might want to find accommodation off the mountain.
Most ski destinations in Australia have tourist towns near the mountains. You can find cheaper accommodation here and just drive to the slopes each day for skiing.
8. Consider staying in the car or camping
If you’re really on a tight budget and accommodation prices are stressing you out, consider camping.
Whether you have a camper van or you’re willing to tough it out and camp in a national park in winter, you can save lots of money on a hotel this way.
Just make sure you have lots of warm clothes and blankets if you’re going to try camping in winter!
9. Carpool to the mountain
When driving up to the mountain to ski in Australia, try to carpool with friends or neighbors.
Driving to the mountains incurs its own fees including petrol, parking fees, and the cost of putting chains on the wheels (which is often required).
If you can cram lots of people in one car, you can all split those costs.
Make sure you apply for your visa before you arrive in Australia. Everyone needs a visa to enter!
10. Bring snacks for the day
Another way to ski in Australia on a budget is bring cheap snacks instead of dining at the resorts.
In my experience, the ski resort food is nothing special and it’s pretty pricey.
I would recommend having a good breakfast at home and bringing some hearty snacks to stay energized throughout the day. Then just feast on a huge dinner when you get back to your accommodation or into a cheaper town!
How much does it cost to ski in Australia?
I spent just over $1,000 AUD for a weekend of skiing at Mount Hotham in Victoria.
This actually isn’t too bad, considering that includes petrol to and from Sydney and around $500 for two last minute, weekend lift tickets.
We stayed in Bright, a quaint little mountain town about an hour away from Mount Hotham. We were lucky to have friends with a house there, so we didn’t have to spend money on accommodation.
So here is what I spent for a weekend of skiing in Victoria:
- $150 – Hiring skis, poles, helmet, and goggles for 2 days
- $25 – Secondhand boots from a thrift store in Bright
- $70 – Snow jacket and pants from ALDI
- $300 – Petrol from Sydney to Bright, to the mountain and back
- $60 – Parking fee at Mount Hotham
- $50 – Chain hire for the car for 2 days
- $464 – Saturday and Sunday lift tickets (purchased at the resort on the day)
- $30 – Snacks and breakfast ingredients at Woolies
- $10 – Hot chocolates on the mountain (because you have to!)
So that totals $1,159 for the weekend.
Things like petrol, chain hire, and parking fees were also split between the others in the car.
And you can bring down the cost of lift tickets by sharing with an Epic Pass holder, booking in advance, or going on a weekday.
If I was able to find more secondhand gear in addition to just the ski boots, I could have saved lots on gear hire as well.
Read next: 15 Travel Essentials To Always Add To Your Packing List
So there are ways to save money on your ski trip in Australia!
I hope this guide helps you visit the snow in Australia without breaking the bank.
Remember, Australia is one of the more expensive countries to travel. But with a bit of creativity and planning ahead, you can travel this amazing country cheaply.
Check out more articles about NSW and VIC:
42 Best Things To Do In The Blue Mountains, Sydney, Australia
NSW South Coast Road Trip Guide
10 Things To Do In Melbourne, Australia
15 Best Things To Do In Wollongong, Australia
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