Yes, we do have snow in Australia. But since we moved here in 2000, my family have never gone on a ski holiday. Until now, that is. My 11 year old insisted that this is the year to experience snow.
In New South Wales, there are three popular ski destinations at the Snowy Mountains. These are Perisher Blue, Thredbo and Selwyn Snowfields. Apparently, Perisher is the perfect resort with a range of choices for beginners and experienced skiers alike. Thredbo, on the other hand, present more challenging slopes for the advanced skier. Selwyn is a family oriented resort better suited to families with young children. Given that our kids were 11 and 12 years old, my husband and I decided to go for Perisher.
I decided to avoid the July school holiday rush opting to book an early date – the Queen’s birthday long weekend in June to be exact. I didn’t realise until after I made my booking that I may have jumped the gun a bit. People I spoke to who had been to the Snowies in previous years told me that there might not be enough snow cover so early in the season. Fortunately, the date I picked happened to be Perisher’s opening weekend. But for all I know, the ski fields could still have been closed and the ski lifts not operational!
Ski Clothing
The essential outer wear:
– waterproof ski parka/jacket with hood
– waterproof pants
– waterproof snow boots for walking (or apres boots)
Essential layering:
– thermal tops and bottoms
– fleecy jumper (not too thick as skiing is a strenuous activity)
– ski socks or wooly socks that reach just below the knee
Essential accessories:
– bonnet or beanie
– scarf (preferably a wide one to cover the mouth and the neck)
– waterproof gloves
– goggles (for snow glare and for protection against wind, rain and snow flurries)
– helmet for the little ones
Being novices and not really knowing if we will like the experience, I decided to rent most of the family’s outerwear. Good quality ski clothing can set you back hundreds of dollars. There will be at least one ski or outdoor shop in your suburb that you wouldn’t normally notice on any other day. But come ski season you realise that they have been there all along. I found a shop called Castle Hill Ski and Snowboard Hire just a few minutes from where I live. The lady who owns it was very helpful in answering all my newbie questions. I also found free copies of Snowy Mountain magazines and resort brochures at the shop. Castle Hill Ski and Snowboard Hire also sell used ski clothing at a very low price.
If renting is not your cup of tea, Kathmandu sell winter gear all year round. They carry top quality snow gear but they can be a bit pricey. Check their clearance items for bargains. Aldi released their snow gear a week before our holiday on the 2nd of June. Because Aldi’s products are so cheap yet are of good quality, all stores were packed to the rafters on the first day of sale. You must have tons of patience when dealing with mad shoppers and the long queues at the till. Some Aldi stores open at 8.30 AM. Early birds catch the best bargains, or so they say. Rebel Sport came out with their snow gear at the same time as Aldi. They’re not as cheap as Aldi but are certainly less expensive than Kathmandu. Rebel Sport appear to hold the middle ground in terms of quality and affordability.
Ski Equipment
Hiring ski equipment is fraught with options. You can support your local ski shop by hiring locally. Although probably the cheapest option, this means that you will have to lug those bulky ski equipment all the way to the Snowy Mountains. Alternatively, you can look for a ski hire shop near your hotel or at Jindabyne, the gateway to the Snowies. The problem with this is if you have issues with your equipment on the field, you will have to pay extra to have them fixed right there and then. On-mountain ski hire; i.e. at Perisher or Thredbo, is the most costly option but is also the most convenient.
The great advantage to hiring your gear on-mountain is that you can exchange your skis, board, boots or clothing and deal with any equipment problems at the resort itself. Lockers are available for hire to store your (non-ski) stuff while you’re on the slopes. Compare the costs in a spreadsheet to get a clear view of what makes sense to you.
Ski Lessons
Ski lessons are not cheap. However, they are essential to newbies. Learn a new sport the proper way. Invest in a 2 and a half hour lesson. You have already spent a lot of money for accommodation and equipment. Don’t scrimp on the actual skiing! Get the most of your holiday by learning how to stay upright and making turns the correct way. Don’t forget that a small mistake for a newbie can have far-reaching consequences. It may mean a premature end to your holiday if you’re unlucky. Decide beforehand if you want to ski or snowboard. You can only hire equipment and take lessons for one discipline at a time.
If you know that you are taking ski/snowboarding lessons, book ahead online. Book your lessons at least a couple of days prior to your ski day. If you are traveling during peak season then book well in advance. There is nothing like going to the resort early, queuing up, only to be told that the day’s lessons are all booked out. What’s even worse is finding out that the next free slot is the following day (or days) later!
Paying for the ski lifts
If you have made the 6-hour drive from Sydney to the Snowy Mountains, there’s no point standing around just admiring the sights when you get there. Believe me, it’s all just white powder out there. Make the most of your stay and hit the slopes while you have the chance. And in order to hit the slopes, you have to take the ski lifts. So don’t hesitate to pay for ski lift fees. Did I mention that a ski holiday is expensive?
Things to remember when at snow (and with small children)
- Bring a backpack to carry some essentials listed below.
- Pack an extra pair of gloves, beanie and scarf for the kids. They can easily lose these items.
- Keep hydrated by keeping water bottles handy.
- Don’t forget lip balms and sunblock if the sun is out.
- Bring a packet of tissue. It is so cold that your nose will certainly start running.
- My iPhone battery gave up on me at some stage due to the low temperature. A proper camera will perform better.
- Leave that handbag at the hotel. Carrying a lady’s bag to the snow is a bit incongruous. Your ski parka will have plenty of pockets to store your essentials. You don’t need any makeup kit or even a hairbrush to the snow. Your beanie will cover any bad-hair-day.
Keep informed before your trip
It is a good idea to follow your ski field’s Facebook page. Here, you can ask questions of the staff who will give you feedback fairly quickly.
If you visit on the opening week, only Perisher’s Front Valley will be open. Tube Town may be closed. In fact, only 4 ski lifts were running when we were there. This means only 10-15% of the resort is open. This is not such a bad thing for newbies as the Front Valley is the primary venue for beginners.
There are free apps like Mountainwatch.com and Perisher to keep you updated with webcam views and snow reports.
Good luck. Taking to the snow for the first time is undoubtedly an exciting experience. Pray for soft snow to cushion your falls.
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