Going with 5 adults and 2 kids under 12.
Where do you go? Thredbo or perisher blue?
Where do you get accommodation typically?
Also how many day is ideal trip?
We will drive up there.
Heading to Snow First Time with Family. Any Suggestion? Thredbo or Perisher Blue
bin555 on 28/04/2016 - 09:58
Comments
If you can afford it, stay on the snow. Having to hang around in chalet, having to coordinate with everyone when to come, when to go, when to eat etc will get old quickly - especially with 7 people.
If you're looking for something cost effective it's best to say at Jindabyne and drive the one hour to the snowfields. Most don't open till 9am anyway. You also have a wider range of accommodation options.
Thanks. Might look into
If you're all beginners then Thredbo or Perisher are expensive first time snow options. Also consider accommodation that is child friendly plus ski school for the kids?
I'd probably recommend Smiggins for a first timer family with kids. It's a fairly dull resort but great for newbies.
When I was young we went to Selwyn and stayed at Adaminaby. It was fine and I believe it's a lot cheaper. We did skiing and no one needed any lessons even though it was our first time.
^this is definitely the most budget and family friendly option especially for first timer
its such a waste going to perisher and pay a full day pass if your going to be on front valley or the magic carpet all day
Beginner Lessons at Perisher include a limited lift pass providing more than enough options for novices.
they must of changed it in recent years
when my friends got lessons they made them purchase a the full 139 dollar pp pass for their 2hr lesson in which they spent majority of that day on the magic carpet
it seems like perisher does not want you to buy single day passes anymore as they don't even list them on their website
https://shop.perisher.com.au/Buy/Tickets/Lift-Ticketsselywn prices
http://www.selwynsnow.com.au/liftpasses
I've only been to Thredbo once and I won't be going back, the snow wasn't great and the layout of the mountain wasn't very good (IMO).
I'd take Falls Creek over Thredbo any day.
Perisher.
3-4 Days will be enough, especially for first timers or novices as you will hurt.
Cheapest to stay in Jindabyne and drive to Ski-Tube (below the snow line) each day, saves expense of staying on the mountain and the need for chains or driving in poor conditions which you may not be confident with.
Don't go to Selwyn, you'll be disappointed.
If you want to drive to Perisher daily be aware you'll need to pay park access daily or buy a yearly pass; and you'll need to carry chains if you don't have an AWD/4WD for example Subaru Forester, Outback, Toyota Landcruiser, etc.
Is a daily park pass cheaper than the ski-tube for 7 people?
Yes definitely, however it's safer for people not comfortable driving in winter conditions to use Ski-Tube.
Depends where you live.
If you don't think in NSW, go to the Victoria snow resorts instead.
Don't forget national parks entry is $29/24 hours in winter.
I believe Perisher and Thredbo both lie within the park so you may be best buying an annual pass if you're there for a while (search ozbargain for the link to the $15 off pass, even then it's $175).We did it mega cheap and stayed in Cooma! Sure it was a long drive but we actually only went up for two days and the countryside is beautiful. This time around we booked in Jindabyne using the 20% off cheap tickets hotels promo, of course thanks to ozbargain :)))))
Consider heading over to New Zealand. Last time I went to the snow it was cheaper heading there for a week than it was heading to Thredbo or Perisher, including flights and hire car.
Thanks for advice
if exchange rate is favorable, then yes i concur but if less than a week then no
it brings up other things to consider
dependent on finding the right priced flights for all 7 people
accommodation is readily available and easily found in comparison to JindabyneRe:driving
driving up NZ mountains are much more exposed and trickier than Aus ones especially if you have to drive a bigger vehicle that can fit 7 heads + snow gearFair point on the car. If you're staying in Queenstown, the bus up to the snowfields is usually covered in your lift pass/snow gear hire. You do have to, however, be in a confined space with the great unwashed.
Yeh, no free bus with lift pass anymore. They canned that few years back. Not only that is your gear is heaped into the back of the bus with everyone elses and if you have anything decent you won't want to do that.
what's your budget?
staying 'on the snow' at Thredbo has advantages of not having to lug all your gear up and back each day.
gives a base where you can head back for lunch or a rest. otherwise you got to hang out at the cafe/restaurant/car boot.
On the snow accom at Thredbo is roughly 2x cost of accom at Jindabyne though.