While the idea of taking the kids skiing in the Winter school holidays sounds enticing, it’s a gamble. The snow in the early weeks of the season can be precarious, the lift queues packed and the prices hiked. Accommodation books out months ahead.
So what about a weekend dash to Thredbo instead? Is that doable?
As my Instagram feed taunted me with epic snow in the Australian alps, the best start to a ski season in three years, they say, I decided to do a spontaneous trip with my two teenage boys.
Driving six hours from Sydney for two days skiing might sound rushed, but it was worth every kilometre.
I took the boys out of school at lunch time on the Friday (they were pretty happy about that), arriving in Thredbo in time for dinner (via a quick stop-off in Cooma for ski hire), still in their school uniforms).
I sat by the window of our room that first night in the light of the August full moon illuminating the snow-covered mountain to the reassuring hum of snow guns, and I couldn’t have been happier. And that was before we had even hit the slopes!
Why a weekend in the mountains is worth the trip:
The road trip, for starters. The six-hour drive from Sydney isn’t just a commute. It’s part of the adventure. My 15 year old son playing DJ in the front seat, curating a soundtrack to the rolling countryside glowing in the late afternoon sun, the thrill of spotting the first snow capped peaks. And solid, unhurried conversations, the ones you never have when on the go.
The Compressed Escape Effect. With only two days on the slopes, it forces you to truly switch off. There’s no time for distractions. It’s all about the skiing, a concentrated adventure. We skied from (almost) first lift till last, barely stopping for lunch, making the most of the bluebird days and top to bottom cover.
Instant Mood Reset. Skiing isn’t just about the endorphins and adrenaline rush (though there is that, of course). It’s also an excuse to pause on top of a mountain, soaking in majestic, sweeping snow-draped vistas and breathing the pure alpine air, before weaving your way down through snow-covered snow gums. Two days on snow and it’s like you’ve been away forever.
Making Memories. Whether you’re with friends, family, or flying solo, ski weekends are always memorable. From the thrill of staking out the best runs, chairlift chats and hot chocolate pit stops on the hill, to open fires, cosy dinners and outdoor DJs. You pack so much into a shirt ski getaway that you create stories to share and some of the best memories of your life.
Shared Adventures. Ringing the bell at the top of Karel’s T-Bar – Australia’s highest lifted point, racing each other down the Super Trail in a tuck, navigating chutes, tackling black diamond runs and chilling on the gondola. Then, after a day on the slopes, hurtling down the Thredbo Alpine Coaster at full throttle. As kids grow older, especially teenage boys, there aren’t many chances to share these kinds of adventures. A weekend in Thredbo is one of them.
How to make the most of your weekend dash
Leave early. With my kids in high school, slipping away at Friday lunchtime was the earliest we could manage. But as long as you’re ahead of peak-hour traffic, you’re on track. For an even better head start, overnight in Cooma so you can rise early and be on the first chairlift.
Pre-Book Everything. Accommodation, lift passes, ski hire – lock it all in online before you leave to save money and precious snow time. You save 30% on lift passes in Thredbo when you book online at least a week ahead. We stopped at Rhythm Sports in Cooma on the way for ski hire so we’d be good to go on Saturday morning. Or you can hire ski gear right in Thredbo where they also have a discount for booking ahead.
Pack Like a Pro. Packing for a ski weekend is easy because there’s no deciding what to wear. Keep it minimal and organised. Use a check list for essentials. And, chuck the bags in the car the night before so you can head straight off.
Ski with Purpose. Don’t try to tick off every run. Pick your favourite lifts, go hard in the best conditions of the day, ski through lunch (when the lift lines are longer) then make a quick pit stop at one of the on-mountain cafes which you’ll have to yourself. (I love Frostbite on a sunny day, Kareela Hut when the weather is closing in).
Embrace the Apres. Much of the magic of a ski weekend happens off the slopes. After our spin on the Thredbo Alpine Coaster, our Saturday night went like this: a quick stop at the outdoor DJ at Thredbo Alpine Hotel (the lineup this winter includes Sneaky Sound System and Hot Dub Time Machine), watching the Saturday night flare run and fireworks from our balcony at Kacees Lodge (one of my favourites), tacos at The Mad Mexican at the House of Ullr, a fireplace nightcap at the Alpine Bar then back up the hill for a game of Bananagrams by the fire. Just like a day on the slopes, you can pack an impressive amount into après hours.
Exit plan. Prise yourself off the mountain by 3pm (if you don’t stop for lunch, that’s the equivalent of a full day’s skiing), grab meat pie at the Sundance Bakehouse at Nuggets Crossing in Jindabye (my ritual), quick stop in Cooma to return the ski gear and change (pack a bag with ‘car clothes’ for the kids), then back home by 10pm.
A weekend in Thredbo might not be long, but it’s the perfect micro-adventure that feels like you’ve been away for a week. It sure is worth the drive.
Jacinta and her boys enjoyed complimentary lift passes, courtesy of Thredbo Resort.