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You're young, the snow is calling, and you're ready for some après-ski fun – the only decision you have to make is which slopes to hit first. Luckily for us, adrenaline-pumping adventure isn't hard to find in the ski resorts of Australia and New Zealand. We've rounded up 10 of the best to put on your short list (plus the standouts in Canada, Japan and the US to start saving for).
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Thredbo, NSW
If you've never been to Thredbo, it's a good place to start, whether you've been throwing yourself down mountains every year since you were three, or you're a thrill-seeking beginner. With 480 hectares of skiable terrain and a vertical drop of 672 metres, runs range from gentle to mind-blowing and the nightlife isn't bad either. Go nuts.
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Mount Hutt, New Zealand
Voted the best ski resort in NZ for eight years running at the World Ski Awards, Mount Hutt is known for its reliable snow conditions, diverse terrain and incredible vistas. Located in Canterbury (near Christchurch), you'll find a range of rad runs and four terrain park areas offering epic freestyle skiing and snowboarding. When your legs need a break, ride the chairlift to Summit Six and rent a Yooner to zip down the mountain sitting down. Tip: A First Tracks lift pass add-on will give you access to pristine corduroy at sunrise.
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The Remarkables, New Zealand
Open between June 17 and October 8, this is the place to take your skiing and snowboarding skills to the next level. There's a massive learner's area for beginners, along with runs ranging from green to extreme across 385 hectares. The views from the top are, you guessed it, remarkable, but the scenery is no less stunning in Queenstown, the lakeside ski town that's just 45 minutes' drive from the slopes. Great food, good times and a laidback vibe await.
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Coronet Peak, New Zealand
Located just 20 minutes from Queenstown with breathtaking views of The Remarkables, Coronet Peak doesn't just offer roller coaster terrain and perfectly groomed slopes. What else could you possibly want, you might ask? More unforgettable skiing, that's what. From 4pm to 9pm on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights you can take in a mountaintop sunset before carving or schussing it down wide-open, floodlit trails after dark.
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Mount Hotham, Victoria
Thrillseekers, rejoice! Mount Hotham is a favourite among advanced skiers and snowboarders looking to get out of their comfort zones. Located in the heart of the Victorian Alps, why go to Europe to ski when you can fly into an alpine village (it has its own airport) for panoramic vistas, 13 chair lifts, three terrain parks and 35km of cross-country skiing (plus tobogganing, dog sled tours and snow-shoeing) – all without all the crowds. Did we mention that Hotham is located on top of the mountain? Cosy ski-in, ski-out lodging could not be easier to find.
Other must-ski resorts in Australia and New Zealand
- Perisher, NSW, for its 1200 hectares of skiable terrain and lively apres-ski scene
- Treble Cone, NZ, for its legendary off-piste runs, steep chutes, and wide-open bowls
- Mount Buller, Victoria, for its 20 lifts (including three magic carpets!) and snow play fun
- Cardrona Alpine Resort, NZ, for its freestyle terrain, wide-open trails and 55km of cross-country skiing
- Mount Ruapehu, NZ, for its unique skiing experience (on an active volcano), cliffs, bowls and volcanic terrain.
Overseas skiing essentials for your bucket list
- Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, Canada
- Lake Louise Ski Resort, Alberta, Canada
- Aspen Snowmass, Colorado, USA
- Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyoming, USA
- Niseko United, Hokkaido, Japan
- Hakuba Valley, Nagano, Japan
Travel Insurance when Skiing or Snowboarding
Going skiing or snowboarding? On-piste or off, travel insurance may help your snow adventure stay on track.
While we can't guarantee the weather, amount of snow, or your skiing ability, our optional Snow sports cover is designed to help cover:
- Our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team is available to take your call and help from broken bones to sudden illness.
- Overseas medical expenses cover can help with with medical assistance, hospital care and evacuation and, in the worst case scenario, repatriation back home.
- Ski lift passes: The costs of pre-paid ski lift passes or ski equipment hire or tuition fees when you're injured or become ill during your trip and can't ski.
- Hire equipment when yours is lost, damaged or delayed: If your own equipment is lost or delayed in transit or damaged, our optional Snow sports cover may help cover the reasonable costs of hiring replacement equipment so you don't miss out on all the fun.
- Compensation if the weather closes the slopes: Yep, if the weather is so bad they close the slopes for more than 24 hours we'll pay for your inability to go skiing, although daily and maximum benefit limits apply.
- Baggage: If your equipment is permanently lost, or irreparably damaged, you may also be able make a claim under the luggage and personal effects section.
- Cancellation due to illness: If you have to cancel or defer your ski tour holiday because you or a family member is medically certified unfit to travel, your non-refundable pre-paid travel costs for ski tours may also be covered.
There is no medical cover available on the Domestic Plan as Australian residents are able to access Medicare. Benefit limits apply to all these sections and you should remember if you haven't added the Snow sports cover option when you purchase your travel insurance policy, then these benefits may not be covered.
This is a brief summary of cover only and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions. Read the PDS before purchasing.