The Great Dividing Range lies on the border between New South Wales and Victoria, and here you will find the renowned Snowy Mountains, Australia's premier destination for snow holidays. Situated in the Kosciuszko National Park, during the peak months of July to October ski and snowboard enthusiasts from around the globe converge on the 'Snowies' (as they are affectionately known) to experience the wide range of slopes on offer and to feel the buzz and excitement that envelops the region during the winter months.
Just a six hour drive from Sydney, the Snowies are easily accessible and the drive is a pleasant and picturesque one. Most people wil travel to Jindabyne first and perhaps organise accommodation there. It is just a half hour drive to either of the main ski resorts, Thredbo or Perisher Blue, from here. Thredbo is probably the favourite resort in the Snowies. It is a grouping of hotels and accommodation that closely resembles the stereotype of an Alpine village in Europe. Quaint and picturesque, it almost looks like something out of a story book, and it has all the facilities and amenities you would expect in a modern village.
Thredbo also has the slopes to back up its high status as a ski resort. The longest ski run in Australia, the Funnelweb, is located here and stands at over three kilometres in length. The quality of its slopes attracts international events here every winter, and there is an FIS approved downhill racecourse. Over seventy kilometres of trails are accessed by seventeen ski lifts, and the slopes and the ski instructors cater to beginner level skiers and boarders. Thredbo is a hive of activity during the day, but at night time it really buzzes. The bars and nightclubs fill with holiday makers satisfied after a day on the slopes and keen to party the night away. Of course if your partying days are behind you then just enjoy a quiet meal in one of the restaurants and resort to your hotel room. Everybody is catered for in Thredbo.
Perisher Blue is Australia's biggest ski resort, consisting of four villages which house countless hotels and other accommodation options. It has a unique underground train system that runs between the villages, and means you can move around whatever the weather. Due to its size it has more facilities and resources than Thredbo, but doesn't have the cosy alpine feel of the smaller town. The slopes are great though, with kilometres and kilometres of groomed trails to keep you occupied.
When the winter months pass and the snow melts then the Snowies take on a different form, although one no less beautiful or enticing. The sun comes out and the wildflowers bloom, and Kosciuszcko National Park turns into a sea of colour. The slopes people skied on are used by mountain bikers, and white water rafters cruise down the rivers that are bursting at the seams with the melted snow. Seeing the amazing views and sights of the Snowies on horseback is another favourite pastime, and kodak moments are guaranteed. The streams and lakes turn into an anglers dream, as the trout begin breeding and their stocks increase. Lake Jindabyne is renowned for its fishing, and also offers great opportunities for watersports such as skiing or kayaking.
A visit to the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme is also highly recommended. Situated near the town of Cooma, it took over twenty five years to complete and is an impressive tribute to human engineering capabilities. Cooma is the gateway to the Snowies from Sydney, so its impossible to miss if you are coming from that direction. From here its just a short drive to the rest of the attractions in the Snowies, including Mt Kosciuszko, the highest peak in Australia.
For an all year round holiday destination, you just can't beat the Snowy Mountains. The extreme changes between the seasons make this an invigorating and interesting place to visit whatever the month, and there will always be an endless amount of outdoor activities to keep you and your family occupied. A hire car will give you the freedom to explore the region to your hearts content, so why not hop online and start planning your holiday right away!
Gavin Wyatt is a journalist with a passion for travel. originally from Zambia he has traveled around the world to end up on the sunny shores of Australia. For more of his articles visit Car Hire New South Wales.
