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Things to Do in Winter

Skiing and Snowboarding

Jindabyne’s ideal location gives you the opportunity to ski or snowboard the two most popular ski resorts in Australia. You are located an easy 30 minute drive from Thredbo or 15 minute drive from the Ski Tube that will take you to Perisher.

Cross Country Skiing

Cross Country skiing is a great way to explore the amazing untouched country of the Snowy Mountains. You can start your adventure from the top of Thredbo and explore the extraordinary main range or head to Perisher to glide and skate the many kilometers of Nordic trails. If your desire a true adventure into our untouched wilderness and virgin snow contact one of the professional Cross Country Tour operators for details. Call The Mountain Adventure Centre on 1800 623 459 or Wilderness Sports on 1800 654 168

Disabled Snow Sports

Disabled WinterSport Australia is a multi-faceted, self-help sporting organisation founded in 1978 by Australia’s first Paralympic skier Ron Finneran and Canadian instructor Bruce Abel. The purpose of DWA is to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to enjoy winter sports and, equally importantly, to enjoy the magnificent environment that is Australia’s Snowy Mountains with fellow skiers. Once considered the domain of the young and agile, skiing in Australia in 1974 was about to experience the introduction of an aspect of the sport which, until then, was considered virtually impossible – skiing for the disabled. Members of DWA receive concessions on lift passes and private lessons at all ski resorts in Australia as well as access to an extensive range of adaptive ski equipment that enables skiing, regardless of strength or ability. DWA members range from recreational skiers to Australia’s Winter Paralympians. Without the generous support of our sponsors and in particular the resorts throughout Australia, the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Paralympic Committee, the services and facilities currently available would come under severe threat. To complement their commitment we seek your support in the form of donor sponsor, associate member or by becoming an active ski guide able to provide invaluable “hands on” support. Winter sport for Australians with a disability is now no longer a dream. Thousands of disabled Australians regularly visit our snowfields, irrespective of disability, to enjoy winter sport in its many and varied forms. For more information contact DWA on (02) 6495 4334

Purchase Lift Tickets and enrol in Ski School

To ride the lifts you will need to display a valid ski lift ticket. You can either pick up a ticket on the day or purchase lift and lesson packages. There is a large variety of options. Whether you have never seen snow before or consider yourself a black diamond pro taking a lesson is guaranteed to improve your experience. Both resorts offer highly professional ski schools to help you hone your skills on the slopes. There are a number of options from group and private lessons to race and powder clinics. Read over the options carefully, you can often save a packet if you book a five day package including lift & lessons. Phone Thredbo for more details on 02 659100, or Perisher on 1 300 655 811.

Equipment Hire

One of the most important factors that will make your snow holiday an amazing experience is your equipment. Dont fear it will not cost a fortune as you can hire nearly everything you need from clothing, to boots, skis, boards and poles. Jindabyne has a number of very professional ski hires offering the latest equipment at very reasonable prices. It is better to hire equipment locally, sometimes you may need to change your equipment or need some adjustments. If you have hired your equipment from a ski shop at home for example, you may be stuck with some very painful boots and be unable to change them for a better fitting set. Just let the ski hire know what level skier you are be it a complete first timer or GS pro and in no time at all they will have fitted you out and ready to hit the slopes with confidence. If you own your own equipment or have borrowed some from a friend dont forget to have them checked by a ski technician to make sure everything is set correctly and working properly. Remember good quality sunglasses, goggles and sun cream are essentials. The sun up here burns 3 times stronger than at the beach. Even if the sky is overcast the suns rays will burn dont forget to slip slop slap as if you were at the beach.

Snow Shoeing

Hire snowshoes from a local ski hire shop for a modest price and head up to Smiggin Holes, Perisher, or top of Thredbo. Take lunch in backpacks, ski poles (good to have but not mandatory) and wear a pair of waterproof walking boots. Strap on your snow shoes and off you go! So easy! Simply walking on the thick carpet of fresh snow no slipping or sliding because of the metal teeth on the snow shoes. And of course you don’t sink in. You’ll be alone in this scenic wonderland. In Perisher, travel around the dedicated snowshoe track. Or maybe beyond Thredbo to Dead Horse Gap or the Ramsheads. Selwyn Snowfields has wonderful bush land settings for this wonderful exercise. There are so many opportunities to take photos of ice trimmed trees and snowscapes.

Snow Tubing and Tobogganing

Over the last couple of years the resorts have decided to stop people from tobogganing due to a number of spinal injuries. All is not lost however Perisher has designed a purpose built snow tubing park called Tube Town. This is a fantastic fun experience for the whole family to play in the snow. Enjoy the thrill of a high speed ride down the groomed tracks and catch the lift back up to do it all again. Tube Town has now been lit by flood lights so you can play at night as well. Snow tubing is the perfect low cost snow experience for first time visitors to the snow. You will enjoy the euphoric feeling of racing down the slopes without the soar muscles from learning to ski or board. If you have been coming to the snow for sometime why not try something new you are guaranteed to have a great laugh. For further details and costs contact Perisher Guest Services on 1300 655 822.