Nail skiing in Thredbo with our ultimate guide to Thredbo Ski Resort

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Whether you’re a total novice or just craving more from your visit, our comprehensive guide to skiing Thredbo Ski Resort will elevate every getaway.

Labelled Australia’s best skiing destination eight years consecutively at the World Ski Awards, Thredbo Ski Resort is the ultimate winter escape.

A five-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney and Melbourne, the adventure playground is filled with wonderful dining experiences, renowned après-ski entertainment, charming accommodation and some of the world’s best slopes. Here, we’ve crafted the ultimate travel companion to help you experience it all (including what’s on offer if you don’t physically ski!).

Thredbo accommodation

a look inside one of the cabins at NRMA Jindabyne Holiday Park
Spend cosy winter days at NRMA Jindabyne Holiday Park.

From the snow-capped chalets of your dreams to budget-friendly stays right in the action, Thredbo Ski Resort is home to a wide range of accommodation options. If it’s village life you’re keen to soak up, complete with killer bars, shops and excellent eateries, a collection of hotels and resorts within walking distance to the chairlifts provides plenty of safe options.

Thredbo Alpine Hotel is a standout, mere steps away from the foot of the mountains, as is River Inn on the fringe of the village if you’re all about location.

Self-contained apartments and Airbnbs also dot the village, making catering for families a lot easier (and cheaper), and there are extremely lavish chalets and lodges to indulge in with many offering ski-in/ski-out access.

If money’s tight, there are also a few caravan parks to choose from that offer drying rooms and equipment hire. You’ll need to drive a little as they’re located mostly around Jindabyne, a 30-minute trip from Thredbo, but they’re a popular option and set in stunning locations. We love NRMA Jindabyne Holiday Park for its countless amenities and Discovery Parks — Jindabyne for its cosy cabins.

 Thredbo skiing and snowboarding

a parent and child snowboarding in Thredbo
Bring your little ones along to learn to ski at Thredbo.

Sure, all the extracurricular activities are epic, but Thredbo Ski Resort is world-renowned for its distinct offering of skiing and snowboarding, with ski season kicking off on the June long weekend every year and wrapping up on the October long weekend.

Experienced snow bunnies will love the country’s longest ski runs including the five-kilometre High Noon trail, renowned for its steep terrain. There’s also the five-kilometre Village Trail that’s incredibly scenic.

On the other end of the spectrum, the gentle slopes of Friday Flat are the perfect spot for beginners and children. Home to a range of skiing and snowboarding lessons including private tutorials, kids’ group lessons and daily adult group lessons, it’s the place to master your craft.

More daring shredders should drop into MOOKi’s Mini Pipe, located at the top of the Cruiser Chairlift. The 13-foot halfpipe is a hit with confident snowboarders who fly through the air like Olympic-grade skateboarders. Kids and kids-at-heart will lose hours to this awesome attraction.

Glide like a pro or shred like an action hero? Leave amateur hour in your rear-view and head straight for the 3.7-kilometre Supertrail, where high-speed turns flow on tap.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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Thredbo ski passes and ski hire

skiing at Thredbo Ski Resort
Elevate your skiing and snowboarding experience with a winter pass.

To get to the top of every mountain, you’ll need a winter pass with lift access to Thredbo Ski Resort’s chairlifts and the Merritts Gondola, a European-style, fully enclosed cable car.

Thredbo ski passes should be purchased in advance to save you money and avoid having to queue. You can also purchase an individual Merritts Gondola pass, which takes you to the base of the Cruiser area, but you’ll get more value for money if you package the lot.

One-day adult lift passes start from $154 if you shop now and be warned: prices increase the closer you get to ski season. Adult season passes start from $1850, but it’s worth noting that season passes sell out well before ski season, so forward planning is paramount. Children’s lift passes start from as little as $20 and around $75 for season passes but prices rise steeply depending on the child’s age.

As for your all-important outfit and everything in between, remember you can always hire snow gear when you’re there to help minimise your luggage. Clothing, boots and sporting equipment are all top-quality and ready to be snapped up.

Premium rentals and sports rentals, which both include skis and poles, or a snowboard, helmet and boots, start from $121 per day, per adult. One-day clothing rentals start from $84. There are two spots to collect your gear: the Thredbo Valley Rental Terminal right near Guest Services and Thredbo Rental Friday Flat, right near Friday Flat.

Thredbo snow cams

a person skiing at Thredbo Ski Resort
Die-hard skiers can watch the snow fall online at the Thredbo Snow Cam.

One of the biggest teases ever instigated by the Thredbo Ski Resort team, Thredbo snow cams are cameras that have been set up to stream real-time footage from various trails and hot spots on the official Thredbo website.

If you’re counting down to your trip, or have recently departed, they instil total FOMO thanks to clear-as-day videos showcasing just how much fun is being had without you.

Die-hard skiers can literally watch snow falling virtually at the Cruiser Area, Basin T-Bar, High Noon, Friday Flat, Alpine Coaster, Kosciuszko Walking Track and Central Spur intermediate area, providing an always-on indication of what to expect from Mother Nature when you hit the slopes.

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Thredbo wining and dining

food and drinks at Cascades Restaurant, Thredbo
Sample local favourites from the seasonal menu at Cascades Restaurant.

There’s no shortage of variety when it comes to eating out in Thredbo with excellent eateries covering Japanese, Italian, Mexican, European and even more international cuisines. Spanning fine dining feasts like those offered at Cascades Restaurant and Zack’s Grill, upstairs at Berntis Mountain Inn, and good old-fashioned pub feeds like the hearty meals at The Local Pub, there’s an option for every budget and taste bud.

Guests who prefer to stack their accommodation with in-house supplies should note that the tiny supermarket in Thredbo is pretty limited (and quite costly given this captive audience). Fresh fruit runs out regularly, for example. Our advice? Drop into Woolies in Jindabyne ahead of your arrival to grab everything you’ll need for your stay. You’ll also find several bottle shops there, too, to help you secure those holiday vitals.

Thredbo winter events

the Kareela Snowcat Dinner, Thredbo
The Kareela Snowcat Dinner is a spectacular ode to traditional European dining.

You’re in Thredbo, famed for its party atmosphere and go-all-night hijinks, so stay across the Thredbo Ski Resort’s events calendar to make the most of your adventure. There’s a handy events guide on the website where you can sift through dates for a holistic scan of everything, which might even dictate when you schedule your visit. Take a squiz before you go.

Highlights within the 2025 ski season include the Kareela Snowcat Dinners from July 23 to August 27, which shuffles guests via a snowcat up to Kareela Hutte for a spectacular ode to traditional European dining, and the Sunrise Sessions from July 22 to September 2, which stage on-mountain breakfasts ahead of guests relishing in the day’s first tracks down that epic Supertrail.

And if you don’t ski?

Merritts Gondola in Thredbo
Enjoy a scenic ride on the Merritts Gondola.

Visiting for those chic winter vibes and unforgettable ground-level fun? You’re not alone. For the first time ever, Thredbo Ski Resort introduced an access-all-other-areas option for non-skiers in 2025. Dubbed the Winter Adventure Pass, the ticket includes a scenic lift pass on the Merritts Gondola, entry to Thredbo Leisure Centre’s pool and gym, and a ride on the Alpine Coaster. Prices start from $71 if you book early, while booking closer to the date is going to see that figure go up by roughly 30 per cent.

Discover the best things to do in neighbouring Jindabyne

Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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After dark: 6 experiences along the Murray lighting up the night

(Credit: Serena Munro)

    Gemma Kaczerepa Gemma Kaczerepa
    See the Murray region in an entirely different light by exploring its night-time experiences and attractions.

    By day, the mighty Murray River is a majestic and ever-changing sight, with river red gums and wetlands stretching along 2500 kilometres. But by night, its cities, towns, villages and landscapes totally transform.

    From Albury Wodonga to Mildura, and everywhere in between, you’ll be in for a multi-sensory and memorable treat encompassing mesmerising light shows, guided ghost tours and vibrant celebrations that capture the nocturnal magic of the river.

    This is no ordinary nighttime adventure; the region becomes an entirely different world when the sun sets. Discover six must-do activities along the Murray that can only be enjoyed after dark.

    1. Share in ghostly tales

    Port After Dark tour Murray at night
    Hold on to your nerve when learning local ghost stories. (Credit: Campaspe Shire Council)

    If you’re up for something a little more spine-tingling, Port After Dark in Echuca is your best bet. Rumour has it that the Port of Echuca Wharf and the buildings around it have long been home to lingering ghosts and mysterious events – like the vengeful woman said to haunt an old tramway bridge and spirits searching for stolen money through the town centre.

    You can hear all about them on this guided lantern tour, which takes place on Wednesday and Saturday nights after dark. The stories are atmospheric and intriguing – you may even spot a ghost or two yourself. If you’d like a more intimate experience, private tours are also available to groups of 15 or more.

    2. Wander art installations

    Bruce Munroe's Fibre Optic Symphoinic Orchestra Murray at night
    See Bruce Munro’s immersive art installation. (Credit: Serena Munro)

    Right near the Perry Sandhills, sits an experience that feels almost otherworldly. Artist Bruce Munro (of Uluru’s Field of Lights fame) has created a Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra, a network of 80 Hills Hoists illuminated with fibre optic light combined with the sounds of an orchestra. The clotheslines glow and pulse in time to the specially composed score, immersing you in a dreamscape of light and sound.

    For a different light experience, you’ll find stillness at Trail of Lights, also curated by Munro. Located just 30 minutes away on Lock Island in Mildura, thousands of lights stretch over the landscape, spotlighting both the river and a series of Munro’s sculptures. The trail is intended to be a peaceful and meditative setting for wandering and reflecting.

    3. Learn through lasers

    Heartbeat of the Murray at night
    Travel 30 million years into the Murray’s past at Heartbeat of the Murray. (Credit: Ewen Bell)

    Discover a fascinating history in this dual act of lights and projections on the banks of the Little Murray River. Legends of the Mallee is a multimedia show in Swan Hill combining lasers and lights, which tells the story of the region’s rich past. Learn about the Wamba Wamba and Wadi Wadi Peoples who first inhabited the area, as well as the figures and events that shaped the Mallee of today.

    The river steals the spotlight in the Heartbeat of the Murray, a multimedia spectacle inside the Pioneer Settlement encompassing lights, lasers, sound and special effects against the natural backdrop. Through a sequence of large-scale animated projections, you’ll go back 30 million years to explore the Murray River’s formation before travelling to the present to learn how it supports modern communities.

    4. Light up the lake

    Lake Mulwala Laser Light Show Murray at night
    Watch the lights and lasers of Lake Mulwala. (Credit: Mulwala Water Ski Club)

    Travelling with kids? Head to Yarrawonga Mulwala and nearby Lake Mulwala for the family-friendly Laser Light & Sound Show. Lights and lasers are projected over the lake and onto curtains of fog, creating a colourful and high-energy visual display. The show suits all ages and tastes, set to a mix of songs that everyone knows and loves.

    You can take in the spectacle from either the grassy banks of the lake or book a table at the Mulwala Water Ski Club’s Malibu Deck Cafe, serving pub-style food and refreshing drinks, including excellent classic cocktails. If you’re watching from the foreshore, the show is entirely free, making it a great budget-friendly option.

    5. Be captivated by local culture

    Bullanginya Dreaming Murray at night
    Soak in the culture of the Bangerang People. (Credit: Laser Vision)

    Set aside an evening to explore Bullanginya Dreaming in Cobram Barooga – you’ll want ample time to take in the stories and symbolism of this immersive laser light and sound trail. The 1.8-kilometre trail explores the storytelling and culture of the Bangerang People, who have long cared for the lands around Bullanginya Lagoon in Barooga. The trail features 12 activations – each telling a different story – and combines dramatic lights and lasers with water and fire.

    Intertwined with the visual displays are Bangerang narratives, giving you meaningful insight into the area’s Indigenous heritage. It’s designed to be explored over 90 or so minutes, encouraging you to move slowly and thoughtfully.

    6. Discover a winter glow

    winterglow festival
    See the streets of Albury Wodonga come to life after dark. (Credit: Visit Albury Wodonga)

    Albury Wodonga comes alive as the weather drops, with an annual celebration of the season on Saturday, 15 August. WinterGlow takes over the CBD and features a vibrant program of things to see, do, learn, eat and drink.

    Take part in hands-on workshops that let you try different art forms and crafts. Feast on street food and winter warmers from local eateries. Browse for artisan wares at the night markets. Watch musical acts on the main stage. Or get involved in different activations, including a silent disco and giant maze. Artificial snow will be falling to add to the festive atmosphere.

    Even wandering the streets and laneways and soaking up the late-night energy will leave you feeling enchanted.

    Start planning a day-to-night adventure along the Murray at visitthemurray.com.au.