Ski Season 2008 returns to Australia this year and is gearing up to be a better season than the past few years. 2006 saw one of the worst Ski Seasons ever, with many businesses that rely on Ski Season trade and tourism, loosing a great deal of money and patronage.
2008 major ski attractions include my personal favourite Thredbo as well as Perisher, Blue Cow, Buller, Falls Creek, Hotham and Donna Buang. Whether you are skiing or snowboarding there is something to suit all skill and dedication levels at most of these resorts. Buller offers the unique situation of having the village located near the top of the hill, which for some is a highlight.
Personally my favourite is Thredbo, located in southern NSW in the Kosciuszko National Park. It is serviced by the Thredbo Village at the base of the mountain as well as the larger township of Jindabyne. It is within the mountain range that also includes Australia's highest mountain Mt Kosciuszko.
The ski field is one of the most mountainous in Australia making it fantastic for boarders and skiers alike. It boasts 14 lifts from t-bars to double and quads and 155 snow guns to ensure a good cover of snow throughout the whole season. The snow gun system will allow 65 hectares of ski area to be well covered with snow in addition to the high snow fall that is predicted for this year.
Access to Thredbo is usually by car. It is roughly 7 hours from Melbourne and a little under that from Sydney. Canberra is the nearest large city at 2.5 hours. Access is via the Alpine Way, which when snow fall is good is cleared by snow ploughs. Even so, all cars should carry chains especially non-4WD's as this is essential.
It's not just slippery snow to be careful of but also black ice which is often hard to see on the road, thus the name. The area around Thredbo and Jindabyne is serviced by 2XL and Snow FM and provide snow updates, accidents and general area information. Most other stations are unavailable at this height and location.
For more information about Ski Season 2008 and Thredbo, click here.
