Australia & New Zealand Ski Index 2027
Every commercially significant ski resort in the Australian Alps (Perisher, Thredbo, Falls Creek, Hotham, Buller, Charlotte Pass, Selwyn, Baw Baw), the New Zealand Southern Alps (Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona, Treble Cone), the Canterbury fields (Mt Hutt, Ohau, Roundhill, Porters, Broken River, Craigieburn) and the North Island volcanoes (Whakapapa, Tūroa on Mt Ruapehu). 20 resorts across two countries, compared on AUD adult walk-up day pass, skiable hectares, top elevation and base elevation.
Filter the index
20 resorts in the index
| Resort | Country | Range | Pass (AUD) | Area (ha) | AUD/ha | Base (m) | Top (m) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perisher | Australia | Snowy Mountains | $219 | 1,245 | $0.18 | 1,605 | 2,034 | Largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere (4 villages, 47 lifts), Vail Resorts / Epic Pass |
| Treble Cone | New Zealand | Southern Alps (NZ) | $175 | 550 | $0.32 | 1,260 | 2,088 | South Island's largest piste area, advanced/expert terrain, Lake Wanaka views |
| Whakapapa | New Zealand | North Island Volcanoes | $145 | 550 | $0.26 | 1,625 | 2,300 | Mt Ruapehu active volcano, NZ's largest ski area by hectares, Sky Waka gondola |
| Tūroa | New Zealand | North Island Volcanoes | $145 | 500 | $0.29 | 1,600 | 2,322 | Highest lifted point in NZ, southern side of Ruapehu, longest vertical in NZ (722 m) |
| Thredbo | Australia | Snowy Mountains | $219 | 480 | $0.46 | 1,365 | 2,037 | Australia's longest vertical (672 m) and longest run (Crackenback 5.9 km), Ikon partner |
| Falls Creek | Australia | Australian Alps (VIC) | $199 | 450 | $0.44 | 1,500 | 1,842 | Victoria's largest, ski-in ski-out village, Vail Resorts / Epic Pass |
| Cardrona | New Zealand | Southern Alps (NZ) | $189 | 400 | $0.47 | 1,670 | 1,894 | World-class halfpipe and parks, FIS World Cup venue, RealNZ / Ikon partner |
| Craigieburn | New Zealand | Canterbury (NZ) | $95 | 400 | $0.24 | 1,480 | 2,086 | Legendary club field, one of NZ's steepest, expert/advanced |
| Mt Hutt | New Zealand | Canterbury (NZ) | $169 | 365 | $0.46 | 1,442 | 2,086 | Canterbury's flagship resort, NZ's longest season (often June–October), NZSki |
| Mount Hotham | Australia | Australian Alps (VIC) | $195 | 320 | $0.61 | 1,450 | 1,861 | Victoria's highest base, advanced terrain, 'Powder Capital of Australia' marketing |
| Mount Buller | Australia | Australian Alps (VIC) | $185 | 300 | $0.62 | 1,375 | 1,790 | 3-hour Melbourne drive, biggest day-visitor resort in Australia |
| Coronet Peak | New Zealand | Southern Alps (NZ) | $169 | 280 | $0.60 | 1,187 | 1,649 | 20 min from Queenstown, night skiing Fri/Sat, NZSki group |
| Porters | New Zealand | Canterbury (NZ) | $109 | 280 | $0.39 | 1,280 | 1,980 | Closest commercial field to Christchurch (90 min), Big Mama steep face |
| The Remarkables | New Zealand | Southern Alps (NZ) | $169 | 220 | $0.77 | 1,610 | 1,943 | Queenstown's higher-altitude option, terrain park focus, NZSki / Ikon |
| Broken River | New Zealand | Canterbury (NZ) | $95 | 180 | $0.53 | 1,350 | 1,820 | Club field, rope-tow culture, advanced-only terrain |
| Ohau | New Zealand | Canterbury (NZ) | $99 | 125 | $0.79 | 1,425 | 1,825 | Family-owned, Mackenzie Country, exceptional value and uncrowded |
| Roundhill | New Zealand | Canterbury (NZ) | $89 | 120 | $0.74 | 1,620 | 2,133 | NZ's longest T-bar (the Heritage Express, 1,500 m vertical), Lake Tekapo |
| Charlotte Pass | Australia | Snowy Mountains | $145 | 50 | $2.90 | 1,760 | 1,964 | Highest village in Australia (1,760 m), oversnow access only, family/intermediate |
| Selwyn Snowfields | Australia | Snowy Mountains | $95 | 45 | $2.11 | 1,492 | 1,614 | Rebuilt 2023 post-bushfire, beginner-focused, day-trip from Canberra |
| Mt Baw Baw | Australia | Australian Alps (VIC) | $109 | 35 | $3.11 | 1,480 | 1,567 | Closest snow to Melbourne (2.5 hrs), beginner/family |
Lift pass prices in AUD reflect 2027 winter (June–October) adult walk-up day rates at the ticket window. NZ prices converted from NZD at 1.10 NZD ≈ 1.00 AUD. Advance online and multi-day rates are typically 25–40% cheaper. Note: skiable area is measured in hectares (Southern Hemisphere convention), not piste kilometres.
Get weekly snow alerts
Frequently Asked Questions
Perisher in the Australian Snowy Mountains is the largest by lift count (47 lifts across four interconnected villages — Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Blue Cow and Guthega) and by skier-area footprint (1,245 hectares). Whakapapa on Mt Ruapehu is the largest NZ resort by hectares (550 ha). Falls Creek and Treble Cone follow as the next-largest in their respective countries.
New Zealand has the higher peaks, steeper terrain and more reliable snowpack (Mt Hutt and Treble Cone routinely top 2,000 m). Australia has the largest contiguous lift system (Perisher), the better village ski-in ski-out infrastructure (Falls Creek, Thredbo) and easier domestic access. For advanced skiers and freeriders, NZ wins. For families and intermediates, Australia's villages and lift networks are stronger. Combined trips (a week in each) are popular with international visitors.
The Australian and New Zealand commercial season runs early June to early October. Peak conditions are mid-July to mid-September. Mt Hutt typically has the longest season (June through October in good years). Whakapapa and Tūroa on Mt Ruapehu sometimes extend into November on the upper mountain. Australian school holidays in early July are the busiest two weeks; the second half of August and early September offer the best balance of snow and lower crowds.
Yes. The Epic Pass includes Perisher, Falls Creek and Hotham (Vail Resorts properties) with unlimited access for international visitors. The Ikon Pass includes Thredbo, Mt Buller, The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, Mt Hutt (7 days each) and Cardrona (partner access). NZ's NZSki group (Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Mt Hutt) offers its own multi-resort pass. RealNZ operates Cardrona and Treble Cone with a combined Wanaka pass.
Australian Alps average 2–4 m annual snowfall with frequent rain-on-snow events due to the relatively low altitude (most lifts below 2,000 m). New Zealand's Southern Alps average 5–8 m at the higher resorts (Treble Cone, Mt Hutt, Cardrona) with much colder and drier snow. The North Island volcanoes (Whakapapa, Tūroa) at 2,000–2,300 m receive 4–6 m. La Niña years deliver above-average snowfall to both countries; El Niño years are typically below average.