Travel to Thredbo with ski insurance from Essential Travel

Thredbo is one of Australia’s most popular ski resorts. As well as boasting the longest vertical in the country at 2,200 feet, its impressive runs are complemented by extensive artificial snowmaking - a necessity due to its relatively low base elevation of 4,478 feet - meaning exhilarating top to bottom runs and guaranteed snow cover. It also boasts a great beginners’ area, loads of accommodation options and some of the best après-ski in the Snowy Mountains.

Thredbo village and its numerous ski resorts boast an atmosphere reminiscent of large European alpine resorts. Its intuitive layout means it never takes long to hit the slopes, making up for the lack of ski-in ski-out accommodation. Comprehensive facilities include childcare and medical facilities, ski and snowboard hire, a renowned ski school, shops, banks, supermarkets and a post office.

A total of 12 chairlifts service the resort’s impressive range of trails spread over 1,186 acres. Sixteen per cent of the trails are suitable for beginners, while 67 per cent are aimed at intermediates and 17 per cent at experts. Thredbo’s supertrails are particular popular for more experienced skiers, with the longest run at 19,357-feet long. An overall vertical drop of 2,204 feet is the highest in Australia, while there is also a terrain park, half pipe and limited cross country opportunities.

Thredbo village boasts a huge range of accommodation options, while more secluded places can be found along the Thredbo Valley. All accommodation can be organised through the Thredbo Resort Centre, which handles bookings and information requests for the entire village and valley. Thredbo ski resort is also home to some of the best après-ski offered in New South Wales, with a diverse range of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, pubs and cafés on offer.

Perisher Blue is not far away and boasts a staggering array of runs spread over seven mountain peaks. From the Perisher Valley Skitube it is possible to board a Snow Cat bound for Charlotte Pass, Australia’s highest and oldest ski resort, boasting fewer crowds and plenty of untouched powder.

The best time to go skiing in Thredbo is during the ski season, which runs from June to October. It is possible to drive to Thredbo, with plenty of parking available, while shuttle buses connect the slopes with Cooma Airport, Jindabyne and Canberra daily.

Skiing in Thredbo

Thredbo is located in the Snowy Mountains and is situated just a few miles from Mount Kosciusko, Australia’s highest mountain. A large vertical drop and plenty of long trails spread over varied terrain makes it one of the best resorts for skiing in the country, while Friday Flat, a large beginners’ bowl, is perfect for those just starting out.

Most of Thredbo’s ski slopes are geared towards intermediate level skiers, while a number of expert runs and plenty of off-piste terrain keep experienced skiers and boarders happy. The remaining runs are ideal for beginners. A total of 12 chairlifts service the trails, with a lift capacity of almost 18,000 people per hour. The longest trail comes in at nearly four miles, while night skiing is also on offer, as are a number of terrain parks and half pipe.

The lively après-ski scene at Thredbo ensures you’ll never get bored come nightfall and entices even the most weary ski legs out for a night on the town. The range of cuisine offered by Thredbo’s numerous restaurants is unsurpassed, while plenty of bars, pubs and nightclubs offer live entertainment and a relaxed, fun-filled atmosphere. Thredbo is also home to several popular festivals, while the Thredbo Leisure Centre offers a heated indoor swimming pool and waterslide, fully equipped gym, squash court and professional health instructors.

Thredbo is home to some of the best terrain in the country, offering the biggest vertical drop of any resort and challenging supertrails. Intermediate trails are dominated by wide, tree-lined cruisers, while beginners will love Friday Flat. After dark, Thredbo offers superb dining and lively après-ski, as well as a whole range of facilities and conveniences.

The official ski season runs from June through to October, with the best months for skiing being July and August. Extensive snowmaking facilities guarantee consistent snow cover from top to bottom. Driving is a popular means of transportation to Thredbo and plenty of parking is available, while shuttle transfers from both Canberra and the Snowy Mountains Airport at Cooma are available for those who don’t want to drive.

Transportation to Thredbo

Thredbo is nestled in the picturesque Snowy Mountains, only a 2 hour, 30 minute-drive from the nation’s capital of Canberra. Driving is straightforward, although chains may be required during the winter months, while Thredbo is also accessible via air and bus connections.

Thredbo is approximately a 6-hour drive from Sydney and a 2 hour, 30 minute- drive from Canberra. Much of the road from Sydney to Canberra is divided highway, with the Federal highway leading to Canberra from a turn-off just after Goulburn. From Canberra you can take the Monaro highway to Cooma before taking the Kosciusko road to Jindabyne, while if travelling from Jindabyne, you can take the Alpine Way to Thredbo, where there is plenty of daytime and overnight parking.

Cooma Airport serves daily flights from Sydney and Melbourne during the ski season; there are express shuttle services from the airport to Thredbo. Canberra Airport offers regular flights to and from all capital cities and major regional centres; shuttle services await to whisk you to the slopes.

Coach packages from Sydney and Canberra are another popular option for reaching the ski resort in Thredbo, especially on weekends when the slopes can get crowded. There are also regular scheduled coach services from Sydney, Canberra, Cooma and Jindabyne.

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