Thredbo's mountain is impressive. There are 40 trails and 14 lifts, which include three high-speed quads. On the lower slopes, runs like High Noon Supertrail, Dream Run and the Crackenback Supertrail cut through the snow gum forest. There is a considerable amount of skiing and boarding in the desolate area dotted with rocks above the tree line. Here T-bars, less likely to be closed by strong winds, rule the slopes. With slopes as high as 2,000m (6,562ft), the resort claims the longest run in the country almost 7km (4 miles) from Karels t-bar to Friday Flat.
Jindabyne is Australia's most prominent alpine town, providing lodging for skiers and boarders wanting to try the slopes at both Perisher Blue and Thredbo.
Perisher Blue has the highest chairlift in Australia and prides itself on its Double Trouble double-black diamond trails. However some of the terrain is quite quirky - more like skiing in a valley than on a mountainside.
Getting There:
Canberra: 180km (112 miles) from Thredbo.
Jindabyne: 30km (19 miles) from Thredbo.
Snowy Mountains airport in Cooma: 85km (53 miles).
Shuttle bus service available from airport - booking essential.
Height:
1,377 - 2,040m (4,490 - 6,700ft)
No of Lifts: 50.
Types of Pistes:
Thredbo: 10% beginner, 40% intermediate, 50% advanced.
Perisher Blue: 10% beginner, 40% intermediate, 50% advanced.
Main Advantages:
Thredbo; longest vertical drop in Australia; great apres-ski.
Perisher blue: Uncrowded pistes; huge ski area.
Drawbacks:
Thredbo: Low base depth; lower slopes are often slushy.
Perisher Blue: Unwieldy, fragmented ski areas.