Ski in, bliss out

Ski to your lesson in Thredbo

Exalt in the adrenalin rush as you shred down Australia's longest ski runs at Thredbo, a fun-loving resort with a bulging calendar of winter events and a lively après-ski scene just as enticing to many as its quintessentially Australian snow gum-lined slopes.

Revel in the buzz of scoring the first chairlift of the day by bedding down at River Inn, right next to Friday Flat (where ski and snowboard lessons start) and close to the base of the Gunbarrel Express chairlift. Connect with your family in self-contained rooms with bunk beds, fold-out couches and kitchenettes, or cosy up with your loved one in a king room. Warm up in the onsite sauna or by the crackling fire after a day on the slopes, or make a new friend or two over a brew in the Bavarian-themed bar.

Wake up in luxury as snow falls outside your window at Thredbo's five-star Ski In Ski Out Chalets on the edge of the Crackenback Supertrail, which runs right to the base of the village. Here you'll find 25 fully equipped chalets with one to four bedrooms. All have barbecues, so you can embrace the option to ski home and fire up the grill for lunch. Choose a chalet with a private spa bath, and feel a contented "ahhh" escape your lips as you slip in for a soak.

Indulge in the pleasure of experiencing Perisher at its most romantic - and uncrowded - with an on-snow stay at the 1245-hectare ski resort, which has 47 lifts to ride across its four ski areas: Perisher Valley, Blue Cow, Smiggin Holes and Guthega. The Skitube connects Perisher with Bullocks Flat below the snow line, so many people stay out of the resort, so you can take in the enchanting scenery of this skiers' utopia after the daytrippers have departed.

Relish the ease of accessing the Perisher Valley's Perisher Quad Express Chair at stylish Corroboree Lodge, which offers spacious rooms, a large guest lounge and a bar. Seize the chance to reconnect with your partner over a three-course meal without interruptions, with kids served an early two-course meal before they head to the games room to watch a movie.

You can't get much closer to the ski lifts than the Perisher Valley Hotel, with rooms that sleep from two to five just 100m from the base of the Village 8 Express chairlift. Pick your next line down the slopes from your bedroom window, or stump for a Mountain View Suite to enjoy the views from your enclosed balcony after an après-ski cocktail at the bar.

Atmospheric on-snow accommodations abound in Perisher Valley, with other memorable options including the family-owned Perisher Manor, which entices keen skiers and families with its proximity to the Village 8 Express chairlift, not to mention the in-house Base 1720 Bar & Restaurant. Meanwhile, at Barakee Ski Lodge you can treat yourself to a three-course dinner showcasing daily sourced fresh produce after a relaxing stint in the sauna, all just 50m from the North Perisher T-Bar.

You'll adore Smiggin Holes village if you're searching for a more intimate scene, where Smiggins Hotel and Apartments have ski lifts on their doorstep, a kids' club and daycare. Or immerse yourself more deeply in the mountains at the cosy Guthega Inn in Guthega, where you can gaze upon Mt Kosciuszko as you eat breakfast.

Relax and leave your skis at the door of any place you stay at Charlotte Pass, because every single one of them is on the snow. Feel enlivened by the sense of escapism as you board an over-snow vehicle in Perisher for the 45-minute scenic trip to Australia's oldest and highest ski resort, which is snowbound in winter, giving it an undeniable air of romance. With just four ski lifts and a moving carpet, it's a great resort for families and beginners.

Imagine what it must have been like to take a ski holiday in the Snowy Mountains a century ago while lodging at the Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel, a hotel launched in 1930 and rebuilt after a 1938 fire, and which has been hosting skiers ever since. Soak up the old-world charm of the stone-walled building along with the soul-stirring views of the mountains from its prime position at the base of the slopes. Take the opportunity to drop off little skiers at the complimentary kids' club so you can tackle more advanced slopes, perhaps followed by a cocktail at the Adams Cocktail Lounge and a hearty meal at onsite fine dining restaurant Arches.

Feel welcomed by the friendly staff at Knockshannock Ski Lodge, which has just six ensuite bedrooms. Curl up by the fireplace with a glass of wine and watch the snow blanket the village outside after you ski in to this full-board lodge each day. Or get a kick out of skiing out the door and riding to the 'Top of the World' ski run at the highest point of the resort when you stay at similarly cosy Lucy Lodge, which sits next to the Kosciuszko Triple Chair. And you only need to head up to the top-floor China King restaurant for an Asian feast. Other options for immersing in the village vibe include the self-catering Burrawong Ski Club and the colourful Stillwell Hotel, where non-guests are welcome to relax on the deck with a restorative margarita, drinking in the views of the snow-draped mountains while you're at it.