Planning My Family Snow Mountain Trip

LMESSI on 19/02/2018 - 21:15

Hello everybody,

I need your help in planning our family's trip to the snowy mountains in NSW. Already made some research but I know the Ozbargain community is the best at giving advice. I really appreciate your help.

So to make it simple I'll outline our situation and preferences so to make it easy.

We are a family of three 34y, 30y, and 7y boy.

Our son has never been to a snowy place, I and my wife only went to snowy destinations overseas.

Budget is set between $2500-$3000,It'd be awesome If there's anyway to lower this budget to $2000.

We want to stay there in the weekend late June - early July (2 days only Sat and Sun)

we want to stay in an accommodation where the snow is (i.e don't want to drive around an hour from stay to resort)

We are no professional/enthusiasts skiers. Just prefer to have some fun and enjoy the snow.

I'll be driving our SUV and should we pack stuff? What activities can we engage in?

Sorry for the long details, I hope you can share your experience with us.
Thanks.

Travel Snowy Mountain

Comments

  • Quantumcat on 19/02/2018 - 22:11
    +1

    It's too late now but there's a great bush cabin that's covered in snow in winter, great for walks etc. Gets booked up very early. It's called Wolgal Hut
    Edit: actually the weekend 30 June to 1 July is currently available (just checked)

    • MESSI on 19/02/2018 - 23:39

      Oh, I though I was a little ahead. But anyways it's our first visit so we would settle for something simple and cozy like the one you mentioned.

  • djkelly69 on 19/02/2018 - 23:10
    +2

    Selwyn is probably best for families who just want to enjoy the snow. Not sure what accommodation options they offer though as we only do day trips.

    I know it is your money to spend how you like, but that really seems like a lot of money for one weekend. Couldn't you almost go to NZ for some real snow for that sort of money?

    • fantombloo on 19/02/2018 - 23:24

      You can't stay on the snow at Selwyn. Also the snow can be sketchy there that early in the season.

    • MESSI on 19/02/2018 - 23:34

      We really got spooked about how expensive it would become, so we worked overtime and made some extra money. I would be more than happy if I get out of there at $2000 spent. NZ is not an option as we already are planning to attend a wedding next December over there

  • singlemalt72 on 20/02/2018 - 07:32

    Big cost here - Accommodation and Lift tickets. Finding discount accommodation, especially on weekends is near impossible so you just have to bite the bullet on that one. Pre-purchasing tickets can save you a few dollars.

    This is a good resource to start with http://www.traveller.com.au/how-to-do-a-cheap-snow-trip-gpf3…

    • MESSI on 20/02/2018 - 18:31

      We work casual jobs, weighed the difference between going on a weekend or during the week. We ended up taking on the weekend option thus saving more on expenses.

      Also can you please tell me what you get if you purchase lift tickets? As I said we probably will spend the time making snow angels and throwing snowballs. May be some activities will sound nice to the three of us.

      • singlemalt72 on 21/02/2018 - 10:12

        Lift tickets are for accessing the mountain for skiing/boarding.

        If you are just looking to play in the snow then this would be a significant saving but you will be limited to where you can walk.

  • CMH on 20/02/2018 - 11:50

    Don't forget snow chains. You should be able to hire them.

    Bigger resorts have beginner lift tickets that come with a beginner lesson if that's what you want to do.

    If all you want is to play with some snow, smaller mountains have cross country skiing tracks you can walk on and have a bit of snow play, and generally accommodation would be cheaper.

    My experience is with Vic mountains so I can't really comment on NSW ones.

    • djkelly69 on 20/02/2018 - 13:53

      Depending on whether OP's SUV is AWD or not, they may not need chains (although still advisable if it is really snowy).

      • MESSI on 20/02/2018 - 18:39

        Our SUV is 2WD so I need those. Mostly I am aiming at Perisher valley and there is skytube station that has parking. We drive up to the station, park the car and take the skytube to our accommodation. Do you know if that will spare us from having to rent chains? That could save us a couple hundred bucks

        • CMH on 20/02/2018 - 19:24

          Not sure where you're renting from but it wouldn't be more than $100

          Btw perisher website has your answer. Chains not needed. Generally. Which is really confusing, do you or don't you?

        • MESSI on 20/02/2018 - 21:05

          Yeah, I'm confused as well, might call the hotel first to confirm. But from what I found, if you intend to use the skytube at the bottom of the resort then you don't need to rent the chains because then you'd park the car at the terminal and climb up the mountain via the train.

        • sudoroot on 06/03/2018 - 17:24

          You don't need chains unless you are driving all the way to perisher.

        • MESSI on 07/03/2018 - 08:36

          @sudoroot: You are right, I contacted them and said we won't be needing them.

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