Perisher Valley – Australia’s largest ski resort
Getting There: The Journey from Maylands
From Maylands, reaching Perisher Valley is a journey of approximately 3,100 km. The most practical route is flying from Perth to Canberra or Sydney (about 4 hours), then hiring a car for the 2.5-hour drive into the Snowy Mountains. Alternatively, the scenic road trip would take around 35 hours of driving across the Nullarbor and through eastern Australia – truly an epic cross-country adventure.
Our Trip
[Magda’s impressions of Perisher will be added here – the first skiing experience, the mountain scenery, the village atmosphere, and the memories made in the Australian Alps.]
A Brief History
Perisher Valley is located in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, within Kosciuszko National Park. It’s named after the Perisher River (originally called the Perisher Creek), which itself derives from an Aboriginal word meaning “waters swirling around” or “water tumbling down”.
Skiing began here in the 1920s, and the area has grown to become Australia’s largest ski resort, combining four interconnected ski areas: Perisher Valley, Blue Cow, Smiggin Holes, and Guthega. The resort features 48 lifts across 1,245 hectares of skiable terrain.
What to Expect
Perisher offers a true alpine experience in the Australian context. The ski season typically runs from June to October, with the best snow conditions usually in July and August. The resort sits at elevations between 1,720m and 2,034m, providing reliable snow cover by Australian standards.
Expect bustling village atmosphere during peak season, with ski schools, equipment hire, restaurants, and accommodation. The weather can change quickly in the mountains, from sunny and crisp to snowy and windy.
Video Moments
Captured moments from our time on the slopes and in the snow:
Skiing action on the slopes
Snowy mountain scenery
Photo Gallery
Trip Photo Carousel
Things to See and Do
- Skiing and Snowboarding – Over 100 ski runs across four interconnected areas
- Ski Tube – Australia’s only alpine railway, connecting Perisher Valley to Blue Cow
- Mount Kosciuszko – Australia’s highest peak (2,228m), accessible via hiking trails
- Charlotte Pass – Historic village and highest ski area in Australia (overnight only in winter)
- Snowshoeing and Cross-country Skiing – Explore the backcountry on groomed trails
- Alpine Night Skiing – Experience the slopes after dark on selected nights
Travel Tips
- Best time to visit: July-August for the best snow conditions
- National Park entry: Kosciuszko National Park pass required – purchase online
- Snow chains: Mandatory for 2WD vehicles entering the park in winter
- Accommodation: Book well in advance for winter peak season (July school holidays)
- Altitude: The resort is high – take it easy on your first day to acclimatize
- Weather: Mountain weather changes rapidly – pack layers and waterproof gear
- Where we stayed: [To be added]