Wildlife and Tradition
However absent every part else we simply mentioned, there’s one factor you’ve most likely been fascinated about this entire time: the place are the kangaroos in all of this? Effectively, let’s simply begin by saying this: wildlife sightings can happen on an Australian ski journey. Whereas kangaroos on the slopes are uncommon, wombats typically seem close to village edges, and echidnas can pop up right here and there too, particularly at daybreak and nightfall. Moderately than on the snow itself, nonetheless, these encounters are most definitely just under the snowline as you drive as much as the resort. That mentioned, you don’t essentially need to spot bigger animals on the street; car collisions with wildlife are extra widespread than guests count on.
However the animals you’ll nearly definitely see on the ski slopes—and ones that deliver a surprisingly unique twang to the journey—are the birds. Alpine birds in Australia are far more colourful than those at most Northern Hemisphere ski resorts, and so they have plainly distinctive sounds in comparison with what you’d hear within the Rockies or Alps. In addition to the gum bushes, these chook calls are maybe the obvious reminder that you’re in a overseas ski nation.
However even when you don’t see these unique animals on the slopes, some resort cities are near zoos the place you will get a assured viewing of them—and worst case situation, there are animal sanctuaries obtainable to go to in your method in or out of Australia from Sydney or Melbourne.
Remaining Ideas
So when every part traces up—which means that protection is nice, winds are manageable, and also you’re ready for the prices—snowboarding in Australia is definitely a bit higher than its international status suggests. The terrain selection, distinctive gum bushes, and sheer novelty of snowboarding on the opposite aspect of the world all make for an expertise you possibly can’t fairly replicate elsewhere. You may even see a couple of kangaroos on the entry roads.
This all being mentioned, the worth proposition is difficult to justify for many vacationers. Between the elevate tickets, nationwide park charges, lodging premiums, transport prices, and the ever-present threat of underwhelming snow, it’s a vacation spot that always feels prefer it’s attempting to make up for a brief season by charging as a lot as doable. Even many Australians select to skip their residence slopes and save their cash for a visit to Japan, North America, or Europe as a substitute—and once they do ski right here, it’s often for considered one of two causes: they’ve a ton of cash, or they see it as a warm-up earlier than heading to these extra dependable locations within the Northern Hemisphere winter.
One might simply argue Australia’s ski scene is underrated for the expertise it delivers in the proper 12 months, and when you put within the work, you possibly can definitely have some prime days right here. However basically, the area is so overpriced and unreliable that almost all worldwide guests shall be higher off trying elsewhere.
Be part of Us Internationally at PeakHouse This Winter!
Alright, so Australia won’t be the place it’s at on your subsequent worldwide ski journey. However the place it undoubtedly is at is on considered one of our PeakHouse 2026 journeys. Be part of us in Austria and Japan (waitlist solely) in January, Canada’s Whistler Blackcomb in February, or Chile in August. And for one thing actually loopy, we’re additionally going glacier snowboarding and mountain climbing on the Matterhorn in late June. If you wish to snag a spot, try the hyperlinks right here.
What do you consider snowboarding in Australia? Would you make a journey right here from wherever you reside? Tell us within the feedback under.
