Fresh snow and cheaper passes as Australia’s ski season kicks off

Australia’s ski resorts have received a fresh covering of snow, with forecasts for more on the way over the King’s Birthday long weekend – and it’s not the only good news on the slopes, as this year’s ski season officially kicks off.

Following falls of up to 25 centimetres of snow across ski resorts on Thursday, the Alps are sporting enough white to get skiers and snowboarders sliding this weekend.

Regardless of which resorts dominate in the battle for the best powder, travellers planning an Australian ski trip this winter have plenty of new things to get excited about.

While most skiers and snowboarders have a remarkable ability to find room in any budget for a trip, savings are especially welcome this year.

The Epic Australia network covering Perisher, Falls Creek and Hotham offers the most meaningful new deal in a flexible four-day pass at $669 for adults ($379 for kids). This gives you any four days of skiing at any of the three resorts for the equivalent of $168 per day – down from around $250 – on sale until June 17.

The unlimited Epic Australia Pass is not new but remains available to the extended deadline of June 17 for $1435. It pays for itself in a week, then unlocks northern hemisphere winter access to some of the world’s most colossal ski areas including Whistler Blackcomb in Canada, Vail in the USA, Hakuba in Japan and Verbier in Switzerland.

Thredbo’s equivalent, the Ikon Pass, is also still on sale for about $2000. It gives you seven days of skiing at home and at premium, bucket-list destinations like Aspen Snowmass in the USA, Zermatt and Chamonix in Europe, and Furano in Japan.

Australia’s cheapest ski pass might still be “2 Buck Tuesdays” at Charlotte Pass. The offer’s been around for a while but might attract more intermediate and advanced riders in 2026 as a new double chairlift replaces the old Poma lift at Guthries.

Those new to the slopes can take advantage of some great beginner-friendly discounts.

Perisher, Falls Creek and Hotham are launching a new Epic Beginner Bundle with three flexible days of beginner lift access, lessons and rental equipment for $499. That covers everything you need to learn for about $167 per day.

Thredbo has new single-day “Learn to Ski and Snowboard” packages starting from $99 for adults, covering lift access to Friday Flat and a group lesson (rental equipment is extra). At Mount Buller, there’s a new tunnel cover over the magic carpet lift on Bourke Street that will keep beginner shredders warm.

Meanwhile, intermediate and advanced female skiers looking to finesse their turns in a go-getter g