BEST AUSTRALIAN
FOR FAMILIES
In Australia, families have a choice of resorts in NSW, Victoria and the ACT. Whether you're teaching your little ones to ski for the first time or looking to enjoy a cosy mountain retreat, this guide will lead you to the best family-friendly ski destinations across the country.
Opening image: Snowsports lesson in Thredbo
Thredbo, NSW
Around a six-hour drive from Sydney, Thredbo is known for its village vibe and family-friendly activities, earning Best Australian Ski Resort for Families in the Out & About with Kids annual Readers’ Choice Awards six years running! With slopes for all skill levels, from beginner-friendly Friday Flat to the country's longest runs, it caters to everyone. Kids can start ski lessons at age three and snowboarding at age five at Thredboland.
Family-friendly highlights
Winter 2024 guests can ride the new Alpine Coaster, the only one in the Southern Hemisphere, featuring a 1.5-kilometre track with twists, turns, and speeds up to 40 km/h. The Kids Snow Festival during July and October school holidays offers additional family fun with a kids' flare run, movie nights, live entertainment, face painting, and Lindt chocolate s'mores.
Images: Kids with their instructor, A family walking across the bridge, Thredbo slalom, An artist impression of the Alpine Coaster
Perisher, NSW
Perisher, Australia's largest ski resort with 47 lifts across 1245ha, is a five to six-hour drive from Sydney or Melbourne. It comprises four areas—Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Blue Cow, and Guthega—connected by the Skitube railway. Smiggins is perfect for beginners and families, Perisher Valley offers runs for all skill levels, and Blue Cow features a bistro with a deck and fun runs the kids will love, such as the aptly named Rollercoaster.
Group ski lessons
Perisher’s 3 or 5 day Adventure Programs provide a great introduction to the slopes, with group ski lessons for children as young as three and snowboarding from seven. All-ages night skiing is available at Front Valley on Tuesday and Saturday evenings, followed by fireworks. Kids can enjoy nighttime fun on Wednesdays at Smiggin Holes, and there are snow play and tobogganing slopes near Bullocks Flat.
Image: Kids Group Lesson
Mt Buller, VIC
Around 3.5 hours from Melbourne, Mt Buller has Victoria's largest lift network with 21 lifts over 300ha of terrain. A highlight is skiing straight off the slopes and right to your front door! Its proximity to the city makes it a popular day trip and weekend destination for families. The resort also offers a free intra-village bus service for easy transportation.
Australia’s highest cinema
Mt Buller offers fantastic terrain parks for junior snowboarders to practice jumps and slides. Off the slopes, kids will love the Air Zone with its Olympic-sized trampolines, climbing wall, and foam pit. Mt Buller also has Australia’s highest cinema, screening mainstream movies in winter and events like the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour.
Image: A family on a chairlift
Selwyn Snow Resort, NSW
Located just 2.5 hours from Canberra, the 40ha Selwyn Snow Resort is perfect for first-timers and budget-conscious families. With progressive terrain, guests can transition from beginner to intermediate slopes. Since its 2023 reopening, Selwyn offers a new guest facility centre, upgraded New Chum Chairlift, two beginner snow carpets, and improved snowmaking equipment.
Australia’s largest toboggan park
Selwyn offers diverse winter activities like tobogganing, snow biking, cross-country skiing, and snow-shoeing, with Australia’s largest toboggan park for endless sledding fun. Affordable ski and snowboarding lessons start from four and seven years old respectively, making it perfect for family learning.
Image: Tobogganing at Selwyn
Falls Creek Alpine Resort, VIC
Fall’s Creek is Victoria’s largest ski resort. Atop the Bogong High Plains, it is known for its European-style village and reliable snow cover. Just 4.5 hours from Melbourne, it boasts some of Australia’s best beginner terrain, including the country’s longest beginner run, Wombat Ramble. With runs for all levels spread across 450 hectares, it's popular among young families and experienced skiers alike.
Kid-friendly terrain parks
Falls Creek offers activities for non-skiers like bungy trampolines, skate ramps, and a free tobogganing slope at Windy Corner. Avid skiers and boarders can enjoy kid-friendly terrain parks such as Pete’s Fox Trail and Panorama Progression Park. Twilight Tuesdays at the Village Bowl from 3.30pm during July and August feature games, music, fire pits, and marshmallow roasting, with appearances by Pete the Snow Dragon.
Images: Kids ski, Snonuts Donuts, Falls Creek family village, Village Fireworks
Mount Baw Baw, VIC
Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort, the closest downhill ski resort to an Australian capital city, offers affordable family packages. With seven lifts over 35ha, it caters to snow enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. Located around 2.5 hours from Melbourne in West Gippsland and just an hour from the Latrobe Valley, it's ideal for a weekend getaway. Winter season events like Christmas in July, Pride, and the annual Bollywood Weekend add to the excitement.
Dingo Resource Centre
At Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort, meet resident alpine dingoes Warragul and Rowdy at the Dingo Resource Centre, and take them for a snowshoe walk in winter. Family lessons cater to mixed skill levels, and kids can enjoy the upgraded Frosti Frog Toboggan Park and the Frosti Fun Club for holiday activities.
Image: Kids playing in the snow
Charlotte Pass, NSW
Charlotte Pass, the highest village in Australia, offers an alpine paradise accessible by oversnow transport. Just 8 kilometers from Perisher, it enjoys consistent, high-quality snowfall each season. As the only entirely on-snow resort in NSW, it's well-suited for families and less crowded than other resorts. With options for every level of skier and rider, including affordable all-inclusive day trips, Charlotte Pass caters to all.
Tiny Tots sessions
Ride the snowcat from Perisher Valley to Charlotte Pass for a memorable experience. Kids can join the Kosi Kids snowsports program for lessons and activities while parents ski. Group or private lessons, including 1-hour Tiny Tots sessions, are available. Charlotte Pass offers a kids’ flare run every Friday and a one-hour ‘behind the scenes’ snow groomer tour for those interested.
Image: A family skiing at Charlotte Pass
Hotham Alpine Resort, VIC
Hotham, the only mountaintop ski village in the Southern Hemisphere, offers spectacular views of the Victorian Alps and Great Dividing Range, about 4.5 hours' drive from Melbourne. With 320 hectares of skiable terrain for all levels, it's dubbed the ‘Aussie Powder Capital’. Nearby, Dinner Plain Alpine Village, accessible by a short shuttle bus, is ideal for families with little ones, featuring gentle slopes and snow play areas for toddlers and first-time skiers.
Alpine BBQ feasts
Mt Hotham's slopes offer a plethora of activities, from the Hotham Ski & Ride School to night sessions and a dedicated snow play park. Unique experiences include kids’ snowmobile tours, husky dog sledding, and alpine BBQ feasts. Enjoy entertainment with Harry the Dragon every Wednesday and Saturday at 3:30 pm outside The Big D beginners’ area. Shows last for around 20 minutes – and include glowsticks!
Image: Hotham Young Kids
Lake Mountain Alpine Resort, VIC
Lake Mountain Alpine Resort, just two hours' drive from Melbourne, is the closest snow resort to the city, making it popular for family day trips or weekend getaways. During the winter months, the resort offers excellent conditions for snow play, tobogganing, and building snowmen, thanks to round-the-clock snowmaking machines. For families who have never seen snow or aren’t ready for a ski holiday, Lake Mountain is a great taster that even the littlest kids will love.
Cross-country skiing
Lake Mountain, while not a downhill skiing mountain, is an excellent family-friendly and budget-friendly destination for cross-country skiing, tobogganing, snow-shoeing, and snow play. Tobogganing is a must, with three runs to choose from, including one free run when natural snowfall permits. Kids under five can ride the Village and Mini toboggan runs for free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Image: Skiing at Lake Mountain © Visit Victoria/Robert Blackburn
Corin Forest, ACT
Corin Forest, only 45 minutes from Canberra, offers a perfect introduction to the snow for your little ones. State-of-the-art snow-making machines create a winter wonderland within easy driving distance of several capital cities. While lacking thrilling runs, it provides enough snowy fun to delight kids. Gear, including jackets and boots, can be hired here, making it an affordable way to ‘visit the snow’ without all the overheads.
Toast marshmallows
Corin Forest offers a delightful snow play area for tobogganing, snowman building, and snowball fights, along with a dedicated zone for ski and snowboard lessons for ages five and up. It's a gentle introduction to snowsports for those planning a ski trip next winter. Afterwards, warm up with hot chocolate in the lodge and toast marshmallows around the central fireplace.
Image: Go tobogganing at Corin Forest © Visit Canberra
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