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A wide choice of top resorts

AUSTRALIA may be a South Pacific island (although a huge one) but it has larger ski fields than those in Switzerland and ski-ing and snow boarding is popular in New South Wales, Victoria and Termini from early June until late September, depending on weather.
The New South Wales and Victorian ski fields are in the Australian Alps and easily reached from Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, with excellent on-snow accommodation. Perisher Blue in New South Wales is the largest and consists of four resorts - Blue Cow, Perisher, Smiggin Holes and Guthega and you can ski between all four.
Smigin Holes is ideal for beginners, while Pleasant Valley, at Blue Cow, is ideal for beginners who have mastered the basics and intermediates who enjoy wide, cruisy slopes.
Pretty Valley is tops for advanced skiers, with several excellent runs. Blue Cow has great runs and will be the training ground for the Olympic Winter Institute and the New South Wales Institute of Sport. There are a total of 50 lifts at Perisher Blue, with four ski carpets and is easily reached from Canberra.
Thredbo also is easily reached from Canberra and has a real village feel about it, with a healthy nightlife and some great restaurants. There's also a good choice of shops for all types.
The resort has the longest and most difficult ski runs in Australia and the largest snowmaking system in the southern hemisphere. There are separate areas for beginners, intermediates and advanced boarders and skiers, with 14 lifts, including two snow runners.
Charlotte Pass is not easy to reach but once there it is worth the trouble as it's a snow-bound village in a large natural bowl. And it's the highest ski resort in Australia with the deepest average snow. There are only 12 lodges plus the Kosciuszko Chalet, which houses 600 guests.
There are children facilities available to lodge members and to outside guests who are in the ski school.
If you're a beginner skier or boarder then Selwyn Snowfields is the place for you, with gentle, easy slopes. There's also a second snow boarding park to help learners. There are also new special family packages, all of which makes it ideal for families and children. One drawback is that it's well off the beaten track. But it's certainly worth the effort.