Perisher

Winter at Perisher

Up high in the Snowy Mountains in the Kosciuszko National Park, skiers and snowboarders will be spoilt for choice with the incredible variety of runs to enjoy in beautiful alpine surrounds. Coast through silver snow gums blanketed in snow, pause by a rocky outcrop for spectacular views out over the valley and marvel at the vista from the top of Mount Perisher.  

Blue Cow, Perisher - Credit: Perisher Resort

Skiing & snowboarding 

Perisher is for everyone, from those who have never stepped on skis or a snowboard before to big air warriors and free riders who love it steep. There are 47 lifts servicing 1,245 hectares of skiable terrain, with Perisher Valley the main base where most people start their Perisher experience. From there you can ski across to Smiggin Holes, over to Blue Cow and on to Guthega. Each village has its own personality, and all are well worth exploring. You can even ride the Skitube from Perisher Valley to Blue Cow.

Guthega, Perisher - Credit: Perisher Resort

Perisher has an excellent Snowsports School, offering ski and snowboard lessons for both kids and adults. Not just for beginners, lessons are also great for intermediate and advanced riders who want to progress and improve their technique. There are terrain parks for those who love riding the rails, and half pipes for big air tricksters. 

Perisher, Snowy Mountains - Credit: Perisher Resort

On weekends, early birds can sign up for a magnificent First Tracks experience, riding untouched and freshly-groomed runs. If that’s not enough action during the day, you can head out on the slopes in the evening with the Night Skiing and Snowboarding, delivering a thrilling experience after dark with the terrain around the Village Eight Express well-lit. 

Fireworks Displays and Neon Night Skiing, Perisher

More on-mountain fun 

Go behind the scenes and ride on a Perisher snow groomer to see first-hand how the slopes are kept so perfectly groomed. For a different experience, try cross-country skiing on one of Perisher’s 100km of marked cross-country trails. Enjoy a tranquil glide or go hard for a decent workout, you can also organise lessons through K7 Adventures. 

Fresh August snow, Snowy Mountains

A backcountry experience is easy to arrange with Snowy Mountains Backcountry offering a variety of programs from introductory to advanced. They also have split boarding, snowshoeing and ski touring with the slopes around Guthega, a ski tourer’s delight. Before you do anything off-piste or in the backcountry, please read these alpine safety tips carefully. 

Perisher, Snowy Mountains - Credit: Perisher Resort

Perisher dining & accommodation 

Perisher has a great selection of restaurants and cafes dotted all around the resort. The Perisher Centre at Front Valley is the main hub for breakfast and lunch, with excellent meals and drinks also on offer at the Man From Snowy River Hotel, the White Spider at the Eiger and Snow Gums at the Perisher Valley Hotel. At Guthega, the Guthega Inn is the spot for lunch, with lots of cosy places on the mountain for hot chocolate and coffee. 

There are plenty of accommodation options right across Perisher Valley, Guthega and Smiggin Holes, from lodges and chalets to hotels and apartments. Many, like Perisher Manor and the Marritz Hotel, are close to the lifts so you can strap your skis on at the door and ski in, ski out. Many skiers choose to stay in Jindabyne and drive into the resort, which takes around 30 minutes, or catch the Skitube from Bullocks Flat. 

Marritz Hotel, Perisher

Summer at Perisher

In warmer months Perisher transforms into a tranquil base for bushwalking and mountain biking in beautiful Kosciuszko National Park.  

Wildflowers, Kosciuszko National Park - Credit: Thredbo

Hiking & mountain biking

You’ll discover great walking tracks in the fresh mountain air, from alpine trails in the UNESCO-protected Biosphere Reserve to paths through summer wildflowers, snow gums and striking rock formations. 

Porcupine Track, Kosciuszko National Park - Credit: Elinor Sheargold/DPIE

The Porcupine Walk winds from Perisher Valley Reservoir through snow grass and snow gums to The Porcupines, huge granite boulders where you’ll enjoy panoramic views of Thredbo Valley and beyond. 

Ride the relaxed 4km ride around Perisher village or take the more challenging 20km return ride from Perisher to Charlotte Pass, where you can bike and hike up Mount Kosciuszko. Mountain bikes can be ridden as far as Rawson Pass, where there are bike stands and you can walk the 1.4km to Australia’s rooftop. 

Illawong Track, Kosciuszko National Park

Fishing

Pristine waters from melting snow caps flow each spring into rivers and lakes teeming with jumping trout. The crystal-clear waters of the Snowy, Thredbo and Eucumbene rivers meet in Lake Jindabyne, which is a short drive east from Perisher.

Swampy Plain River, Kosciuszko National Park

Getting there

Perisher is a 5.5-hour drive from Sydney, a 7.5-hour drive from Melbourne and a three-hour drive from Canberra. In winter, Perisher's Skitube is Australia's only alpine railway and is the quickest and most reliable way to travel to Perisher. Departing from Bullocks Flat (which offers plenty of free day and overnight parking), it only takes 10 minutes to travel to Perisher Valley. If you’re staying in Jindabyne, you can make use of the Snowy Mountains Bus Service, which offers return travel to Perisher and Thredbo every day during ski season. Services run hourly, increasing to every 30 minutes to Perisher in the school holidays and during peak times.