Snow Tours & Snow Trips

Perisher Ski Resort – the largest alpine resort in the Southern Hemisphere. With 47 lifts and 7 mountain peaks, it covers the largest area of any Australian resort. Skiers and boarders can ski and board between four separate but interconnected resort areas and one of the best things about the resort is its varied terrain that is suitable for all ages and ability levels from first-timers right up to experts.

We offer a choice of accommodation on various tours. There’s the ever-popular Ski Rider Hotel located inside Kosciuszko National Park and only 11 kilometres to the ski fields. Matterhorn Lodge is located on snow at Perisher and only minutes to the Perisher Quad Chair.

The official opening of the winter snow season is the June long weekend and the official close is the October long weekend, although depending on snow, Perisher can open earlier or extend the season.

If only we had a crystal ball! There’s no way we can say whether or not it’s going to snow. That’s up to mother nature! It’s hard to tell when it’s going to snow, for how long and where. Add plenty of other weather factors that can affect the snow once it’s fallen into the mix and great snow conditions aren’t always a guarantee. You can rely on great snowmaking facilities at Perisher to ensure that there is always fresh snow on the ground. Perisher has invested heavily in snowmaking to ensure guests are provided with the best possible conditions all winter.

Definitely! We are very family friendly.

A child is up to age 14. Once they’re 15 they’re classed as an adult.

If it’s your first time to the snow, we would definitely recommend lessons. This will ensure that your first skiing or boarding experience is safe and enjoyable. Lessons are organised when you purchase your lift ticket. Children’s lessons are 3 hours in duration, adults are 2 hours and start at 9am at Smiggin Holes which is where the coach parks.

We recommend travel insurance for all ski holidays. Check with your private health fund, car insurer or home & contents insurer as well as specific travel insurance providers. Just be sure to enquire whether snow sports are covered on the policy.

The coach departs our Anna Bay depot at 8.30pm Thursday evening.
We make various pick ups in Newcastle, Central Coast and Sydney. Our last pick up point is Liverpool South around midnight with an approximate arrival time at Ski Rider around 6am.
Our 2 day/2 night weekends depart our Anna Bay depot at 1.00pm Friday afternoon with an approximate arrival at Ski Rider around 11.30pm Friday night. So no overnight travel on the coach on these weekends!

Our 5 Day Mid-Week Tour Departs our Anna Bay depot at 7am Sunday morning with an approximate arrival time at Ski Rider of 5pm. Check in with time to pick up any pre-booked equipment and clothing hire before enjoying a delicious dinner. Ski/board 5 days Monday to Friday with a late departure off the snow on Friday at 3pm.

Yes, you will need a valid lift ticket for each day you plan to ski or board.

If you want to save money, pre-book your lift tickets online directly with Perisher at www.perisher.com.au. Book them at least 7 days prior to arrival to receive the maximum discount.
If you already have a Perisher Card, you can re-charge it online. There is a one-off $5 charge if you don’t already hold a reloadable Perisher Card.
If you’re purchasing lessons, make sure you select Smiggin Holes for your lesson location as this is where the coach parks and you’ll easily make a 9am lesson.

Ski Rider offer quality ski, snowboard and clothing hire. We can organise this for you and by pre-paying, you will save time and money. If you’re booking a Matterhorn Package, then hire your gear through Perisher when you purchase your lift ticket.

You’re on the coach for a long time and you want to try and get as much sleep as you can so we recommend you bring a small pillow and rug to help you sleep on the coach. Other things to pack are sun cream & lip balm, beanie and scarf/neck warmer, gloves, goggles (at least sunnies but goggles are better, especially when it’s snowing), munchies that will fit in pockets, water, long undergarments such as thermals that are tight fitting to wear under your snow jacket and pants. You would also add a fleece jumper or long sleeve shirt on the really cold days. You’re better off having too many clothes on than not enough. You can always strip off some layers! Waterproof shoes – not leather soled. If you don’t have any, I would highly recommend hiring a pair, especially if you don’t plan to ski or board. You don’t need to pack a lot of clothes. During the day, you’ll be in your snow jacket and pants. You really only need something casual to wear to dinner each evening and something comfortable for the coach travel.

The coach will stay with the group for all Ski Rider tours, along with the driver and guide. They will always be there to lend a hand or answer any questions.

The coach will park at Smiggin Holes which is where you will be dropped off in the morning. Inside the coach will be locked so you can leave any valuables inside the coach. The luggage bins underneath the coach are left unlocked so you can return to the coach at any time throughout the day to drop gear off/pick gear up. i.e you take a layer of clothing off or you’ve had enough skiing for the day and want to take your ski boots off.

We aim to be at the snowfields by 8.30am each morning. The coach will depart the snow to return to Ski Rider at 4.30pm. On Sunday, we depart at 3.00pm to return to Ski Rider and return hire equipment and change for the journey home. Of course, if you’ve booked a Matterhorn Lodge Package you will be on snow the whole time.

Ski Rider operate a shuttle bus that can take you back to your room if you want to head back earlier (or later) than the coach. We will have timetables to hand out on the coach.