Australia’s ski season is underway, but fewer people are hitting the slopes.<\/p>\n
According to Snow Resorts Australia, visits have dropped by nearly 30 per cent since the pandemic began, with the cost of a ski holiday here in Australia simply too expensive for many.<\/p>\n
For example, a one-day lift ticket at NSW’s Perisher during peak season could set you back $264, while in Japan and New Zealand, it’s considerably cheaper.<\/p>\n
But for those still keen to get out onto the fields, is there a way to do it without breaking the bank?<\/p>\n
Firstly, why is it so expensive to ski in Australia?<\/p>\n
Even the dogs like hitting the slopes in Japan. (Supplied: Adam Fox)<\/p>\n
In part, it comes down to Australia’s particularly short snow season.<\/p>\n
Resorts have only about 12 to 16 weeks to cover big operating costs, including paying lift operators, ski instructors, snowmakers, admin staff and emergency responders.<\/p>\n
In addition, most ski resorts are privately operated, despite the land managed by the states as national parks.<\/p>\n
“Lift prices are part of it, but it’s everything. Resort entry, food, parking. There’s an Alpine tax on everything,” said Steve Belli, a local Chamber of Commerce chair who also owns several businesses in Victoria’s Mount Hotham.<\/p>\n
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Steve Belli is a local Chamber of Commerce chair who also owns several businesses in Victoria’s Mount Hotham. (ABC News: Sean Warren)<\/p>\n
Resort entry fees \u2014 often misunderstood as a so-called ski tax \u2014 fund public services like road clearing, emergency services, environmental protection, signage, toilets and waste collection.<\/p>\n
“There’s a lot of expense because there’s no local manufacturing for ski infrastructure \u2014 we import everything. And we just don’t get the same volume of visitors as places like Japan,” Mr Belli said.<\/p>\n
How much cheaper is it to ski overseas?Japan tourism in Aussie boom<\/a><\/p>\n Nearly 1 million Australians visited Japan last year, up more than 300,000 from 2023.<\/p>\n Put it this way \u2014 it\u2019s going to cost you to fly outside of Australia. But that doesn\u2019t necessarily mean it\u2019s not worth it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n In fact, more Australians than ever are heading overseas for snow holidays\u00a0 \u2014 especially to Japan, where visits from Aussies rose by more than 50 per cent <\/a>in 2024 alone.\u00a0<\/p>\n Here’s a breakdown of the costs:<\/p>\n Niseko in Japan<\/p>\n One-day mountain pass about $130Gear rental from $38Jackets and pants rental about $20<\/p>\n New Zealand\u00a0<\/p>\n One-day super pass covering three areas $175Gear rental including standard skis, boots, poles and helmet about $65 a day\u00a0Jackets and pants rental about $40 a day<\/p>\n Perisher Valley<\/p>\n A single-day lift ticket for $264Standard ski, boots and poles $137 a dayHelmet $47 a dayJacket and pants $142 a dayDaily national park vehicle fees $29So can I go skiing in Australia on a budget?<\/p>\n It is possible, if you’re up for a little creativity and planning.<\/p>\n Mark, a Victorian skier who runs a popular Instagram account on local ski culture, is passionate about showing people how to do it affordably.<\/p>\n Mark grew up on the slopes of Mount Buller. (Supplied: Mark He Loves Adventure)<\/p>\n “People love to bag our mountains, but when you do that, you weaken the case to protect them,” he said.<\/p>\n Here’s Mark’s tips for where to stay, when to buy lift passes, and how to travel to the slopes:<\/p>\n Stay off the mountain. Instead find accommodation in nearby townsBook a ski lodge, which is often cheaper at about $810 for a full week in peak seasonBuy lift passes early. You can save up to 30 per centGet second-hand gear. There are great options for used skis, boots and snowboardsCarpool or share transport, splitting the cost up with friends or familyConsider cheaper snow experiences, like snowshoeing or Nordic skiingWork during ski season. You’ll get discounted or free lift passes Ski lift passes are now hundreds of dollars a day. (Supplied: Perisher Ski Resort)<\/p>\n With on-mountain accommodation regularly topping $1,000 a night, Snow Resort Australia’s CEO Josh Elliot recommended going for smaller resorts, visiting during the shoulder seasons (like June or September) and skipping weekends.<\/p>\n Will things get cheaper in the future? Aussie kids holiday at Nozawa Onsen in Japan where lift passes cost as little as AU$80 a day. (ABC News: Kristy Sexton-McGrath)<\/p>\n Possibly.<\/p>\n Mr Belli said the right investment and policy changes, such as abolishing short-stay accommodation taxes on the mountains, could turn the tide.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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