What Makes Australia One Of The World's Best Skiing Destinations?

Australia is an ideal destination for skiers and water-skiers of all levels.

With both alpine and non-alpine slopes, the country boasts some of the best skiing spots in the world.

And with the country being known for its great variety of climates, skiers can be sure to enjoy varied snow conditions at different times throughout the season. 

Ski resorts like Perisher Valley, Thredbo, and Falls Creek all provide diverse terrain, and ski lodge accommodation is also plentiful across Australia.

For water ski enthusiasts, recreational areas cover practically every area, allowing visitors to access a host of beaches, rivers, lakes and dams where they can enjoy their sport. 

There are also dedicated water ski parks with excellent facilities as well as a wide range of other attractions for families who wish to entertain themselves off the slopes or out on the open waters.

Here are just some of our favourite ski spots across Australia, both on the ice and on the water.

The Whitsundays

The Whitsundays is a magnificent region located on the Central Queensland coast. Alongside being home to some luxury Whitsunday islands accommodation options, this region is also the perfect setting for families to enjoy water skiing.  The Whitsundays has the perfect combination of crystal-clear waterways and stunning ocean beaches, making it one of the best destinations to go water skiing in Australia. 

Whether you’d prefer to go skiing in sheltered bays or gliding alongside coral coves, a trip to the Whitsundays is well-equipped to deliver both. With tropical weather prevailing almost year-round, it's easy to make waterskiing a top priority for your holiday itinerary.

With an enormous range of private skippered charters available, you can explore the majestic expanse of the Whitsundays in all its glory while taking advantage of the amazing watersports opportunities. 

The Gold Coast 

Australia’s Gold Coast is widely known for its tropical climate, warm water, and sunny skies; the perfect location to take up waterskiing. The calm beaches along the coast make it easy to pick up waterskiing, while the more daring can take advantage of the wide open waters off the coast and head out further. 

Waterskiing isn't just a pastime on the Gold Coast - it's an exciting way to get outside and explore. From zooming through mangroves to jumping over giant wakes, there is plenty of adventure for people of all skill levels. 

It's no wonder that skiing has been a popular activity in the area for generations, with each beach boasting its own distinctive seascape, conditions, and challenge level. No matter your skill level or surfing style, you'll be sure to have a fun-filled time water skiing along the waters of the Gold Coast. 

Great Lakes & Myall Lakes

The Great Lakes and Myall Lakes offer the perfect atmosphere for water skiing enthusiasts.

With miles of smooth and open water, it's the ideal spot to practise tricks and jumps, or just enjoy a gentle glide on the waves.

The area is also well-equipped with boat ramps and boat hire services, so you don't have to worry about lugging around your own equipment. 

As these lakes are also well known for their excellent water quality and clarity, waterskiers benefit from being able to see any objects or even marine life that may be sitting just under the surface. Whether you're hoping for a peaceful day out or an exciting couple of hours full of adventure, a visit to the Great Lakes or Myall Lake is sure to deliver.

Thredbo Resort

Australia’s Thredbo Ski Resort is a renowned ski destination for visitors from around the world. It boasts an impressive 480 hectares of snow-laden terrain that is perfect for skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing. With 14 lifts located throughout the resort, it’s also easy to get to all your runs quickly and safely, allowing you to maximise on daylight hours during your stay.

Thredbo also offers ski and snowboard lessons to help tourists improve their skills and take advantage of the challenging terrain they may have previously been unable to manage. A selection of stylish accommodation options also ensures visitors have a memorable holiday experience – whether it be through indulging in fine dining or taking advantage of the many other activities on offer such as mountain biking and bushwalking. 

All in all, this makes Thredbo Resort one of the best and most popular places to go skiing in Australia.

Falls Creek

Falls Creek is an excellent destination for skiing, renowned for its picturesque landscape and wide range of slopes suitable for any skill level. The local resort also boasts terrain parks, a halfpipe, and over 80 trails - offering something to please everyone in your party, regardless of skill level. Falls Creek boasts more than just skiing however; there are snow beaches, tobogganing and a swimming pool heated with natural thermal waters that you can enjoy to wind down and relax your muscles after a hard day on the slopes.

The area contains world-class lodges as well as quaint cottages offering relaxing places to curl up with some hot tea or coffee in the morning or chilly evenings. Add to this an efficient transportation network, top notch clinics and professional instructors, and you have all the ingredients you need for a perfect ski holiday at Falls Creek.

Perisher

Perisher is the largest ski resort in the southern hemisphere, boasting four snowfields with three villages throughout. The terrain caters for all abilities – from beginner skiers and snowboarders who are just getting started, to those ready to contend with steep and challenging runs. 

There are plenty of activities on offer for those who aren’t into skiing - such as tobogganing, tubing, and walking trails through stunning national parks.

It also doesn't hurt that night-skiing is included in lift ticket prices so you get to make the most of your tickets.

On top of this, well over half of the vast areas of the mountainside are covered with snow, meaning extra protection against any days where mother nature isn't playing ball. With all these features and more, it's easy to see why Perisher is a great spot for anyone wanting to hit the slopes.

Conclusion

Australia is an ideal skiing and waterskiing destination. With its varied climate, ranging from snow in the alpine regions to balmy coasts, it gives skiers and water sports fans the perfect combination of options. Ski resorts across the country provide great slopes for all levels, while at the same time ensuring that safety protocols are up to date. 

Waterskiing provides a similar range of choices with many clubs celebrating competition events around the country. While ski gear can come at a cost, many hire equipment operators make sure that all clients have easy access to what they need for a successful skiing or water skiing experience. All in all, Australia is an amazing place for both versatile summer and winter pastimes like skiing and waterskiing.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Aleksandra Djurdjevic          

Senior Content Creator

Aleksandra Djurdjevic is a senior writer and editor, covering snowboarding, skiing and trends in outdoor winter activities. She has previously worked as ESL teacher for English Tochka. Aleksandra graduated from the Comparative Literature department at the Faculty of Philosophy in Serbia. Aleksandra’s love for the mountains, getting out in the snow on her board, season after season, seeking wild snow adventures across the globe helps her continue to be a top expert at CSG.