Perisher

Nestled in the picturesque NSW Snowy Mountains, just six hours drive from Sydney, Perisher is the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest and most popular alpine holiday destination. Perisher boasts an incredible 48 lifts with a capacity to move over 53,000 guests per hour across an immense 1,245 hectares of varied terrain and seven mountain peaks.

With the village in Perisher Valley sitting at 1720m, Perisher is renowned for offering a true on-snow winter experience, with consistent top to bottom snow riding, more often and more reliably. To assist with snow quality and reliability, Perisher has invested $19 million in the past three years on snowmaking improvements.

Open from the June long weekend until the October long weekend, Perisher has something for everyone. From families new to the snow, to skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts, sightseers to snow shoe walkers and from café cruisers to nightlife revelers, Perisher is the place for the best snow holiday!

Base altitude: 1720m (Village Height)

Peak altitude: 2054m (Mt. Perisher)

Vertical rise: 355m / 1,165ft

Riding terrain: 1245ha / 12.45 sq kms / 3,076 acres

Number of lifts: 48

Longest run: 3km

Snowmaking: 53.4ha / 131.95 acres

Average snowfall: 191cm

Last years snowfall: 317cm (total accumulated)

Lift pass prices: click here

Type of terrain

Beginner: 20%
Intermediate: 60%
Advanced: 20% 

Driving time from major cities

Sydney: 5.5 - 6 hours
Melbourne: 7 hours 
Canberra: 2.5 hours

Terrain parks

During winter 2009 park junkies will be able to test their skills in one of Perisher’s six progressive terrain parks. Tiny tots will have fun learning at the new Milo Mini Park, whilst older kids and adults can head to the Columbia Fun Park; it’s the perfect place to hone your skills on low to the ground features. For intermediate riders wanting more, hit the bigger rails, boxes and airs in the PlayStation Blue Cow Park and the Coca-Cola Terrain Park at Leichhardt both will prove to be a true test. For the biggest and the best technical features the PlayStation Slopestyle on Front Valley is a must. Also new in 2009, the Outer Limits Rider X in Blue Cow, will be chock full of free-flowing, free-ride action. Don’t forget too, Perisher’s Superpipe is the best in Australia, the perfect compliment to a day’s park riding.

Highlights

Coca-Cola ‘Tube My Ride’: 1 - 2 Aug
Grab a mate and get a camera! Skiers and boarders are invited to take on the PlayStation Slopestyle course on Front Valley. The twist is that a run (can be multiple runs pieced together) is to be captured on film and edited into a slick video of no more than 5mb. Competitor videos will be hosted and voted on Perisher’s website and You Tube. Entries must be received no later than 15 August. The winner will be announced 31 August. $5,000 is up for grabs -winner takes all. More details announced soon.

PlayStation Skiing Halfpipe Championships: 17 August
Australian and international stars will vie for the nation’s top honours in Perisher Superpipe.

World Rookie Fest: 21-23 Aug (TBC)
Part of a huge international snowboarding series for elite junior athletes competing in Superpipe and Slopestyle disciplines, local and international rising stars will be competing.

Boost Mobile Sno Sho: 27 - 29 Aug
In a word, this is HUGE! Over 3,000 spectators are again expected to witness incredible feats by fearless snowboard combatants. This event is part of the TTR series and will showcase some of the biggest names in international snowboarding. Who can conquer the Sno Sho Wheel that sees competitors attempt a variety of amazing technical tricks? And, the world’s longest rail slide attempt will also be featured. A must see resort event.

Pub-to-Pub Classic: 3 September
A part of living history at Perisher, the Pub-to-Pub is a cross-country mix of serious racers and dressed up cruisers, having fun. The Classic takes in five watering holes and is open to anyone with a pair of skinny skis and a thirst for adventure.