Home > Our Publications > Travel Australia and New Zealand > Feburary 2004

AUSTRALIA and New Zealand may be South Pacific islands but they offer some of the world's best skiing from early June to mid-October, if the weather is kind.
The huge centre of Australia is desert and spinifex country - but it also has huge snow fields in the south-east corner, where the skiing area is larger than that in Switzerland.
And New Zealand is not far behind, with ski fields in both North and South Islands with the ski areas above the tree line - which saves those nasty accidents that ruin lives.
While the skiing is great in both countries, ski pass rates are cheaper than both Europe and America while the facilities are first class, with upgraded ski lifts and snow-making machines.
Snow boarding has really caught on in the two countries and both offer cross country skiing, as well as downhill thrills. New Zealand also has a winner with heliskiing where a dramatic helicopter ride takes you to the top of some of the best runs. And there's also glacier skiing. Top fields are Whakapapa, Turoa, Mt. Hutt, Treble Cone, Cardrona, Coronet Peak and The Remarkables.
There is no on-mountain accommodation in New Zealand but Australia's lodges offer top class accommodation, right on the snow, and plenty of apres ski facilities.
Australia can boast several ski fields in three States - New South Wales and Victoria on the Southern Alps, and Tasmania, where the fields are smaller but still provide good sport.
New South Wales has the largest ski resorts in Thredbo and Perisher Blue and they, plus Mt. Selwyn and Charlotte Pass can easily be reached by coach from Sydney or Canberra.
Victoria has an advantage with day trips to the snow from Melbourne, with resorts at Mt. Buller (three hours from Melbourne), Falls Creek and Mt. Hotham.