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Perisher or Thredbo: Which ski resort is best?
We've put the two popular resorts head to head to see which offers the better snowy getaway.
Skiing In Australia
Picking the ski resort which is best suited to you or your family can be a tricky task when there's so much to consider. Good news is we've done the hard work so you don't have to, with comparisons on everything that is on offer including pricing, accommodation and terrains.
Do keep in mind that the 2020 ski season will arrive toward the end of June.
TL;DR: Our verdict
Our winner: It's a close call but we have to give the top spot to Perisher. When it comes to skiing and affordability (especially if you're bringing the whole family), you can usually save a couple extra dollars on the lift tickets and lessons. Perisher also has its Neon Night Skiing and Boarding event running for guests.
Although Thredbo does have a higher drop for the more experienced individuals, Perisher offers more runs and terrain to ski down.
Perisher or Thredbo: Ski passes compared
Winner: Thredbo. At this point in time Perisher is not offering one or two day passes, which makes Thredbo the cheaper option if you wanted those time frames.
| Feature | Perisher | Thredbo |
|---|---|---|
| Lift pass (price, options available) | From $349 (Three day pass) | From $159 (One day pass) (See ticket options below) |
| Season pass | Unavailable in 2020 (2019 price was $242) | Unavailable in 2020 (2019 price was $249) |
| Season dates | 24 June - early October | 22 June - 5 October |
Perisher or Thredbo: Dining and accommodation compared
Winner: Thredbo. Although they have an equal amount of dining options for guests, Thredbo has almost twice the amount of accommodation selection than Perisher.
| Feature | Perisher | Thredbo |
|---|---|---|
| Dining in the village (restaurants, bars or cafés) | 33 | 33 |
| Accommodation options in the village | 34 | 61 |
Perisher or Thredbo: Location and terrain compared
Winner: Perisher. Thredbo does have a high ski drop of 672m, but Perisher offers more than double the amount of runs and lifts. It also works out closer than Thredbo from all cities aside from Melbourne.
| Feature | Perisher | Thredbo |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from Jindabyne/Sydney/Melbourne/Canberra |
|
|
| Lifts | 47 | 14 |
| Runs | 119 | 53 |
| Breakdown of runs |
|
|
| Longest run | 3km | 5km |
| Terrain parks | 5 | 5 |
| Vertical | 355m | 672m |
Perisher or Thredbo: Skiing compared
Winner: Perisher. Both locations are on par with one another but Perisher offers more option when it comes to skiing after dusk.
| Feature | Perisher | Thredbo |
|---|---|---|
| Night skiing | Yes, on Tuesdays and Saturdays you can enjoy Neon Night Skiing and Boarding. Once the sun goes down, it will be available from 6pm-9pm. (30 July to September 2020) | No, the Kids Flare Run and Adults Flare Run has been temporarily suspended in 2020 due to a COVID-19 program revision. |
| Ski lessons | From $249 (See more options below) | From $275 (See more options below) |
| Is ski in ski out available? | Yes | Yes |
Perisher and Thredbo lift pass options
Adult lift passes (advanced booking prices)
These are the prices for the 2020 snow season as of 16 June. Perisher is not offering lift passes for under three days at this stage.
| Days | Perisher | Thredbo (+$5 My Thredbo Card) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | N/A | $159 |
| 2 days | N/A | $318 |
| 3 days | $349 | $477 |
| 4 days | $454 | $636 |
Child lift passes
| Days | Perisher | Thredbo 5-12 years (+$5 My Thredbo Card) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | N/A | $85 |
| 2 days | N/A | $170 |
| 3 days | $192 | $255 |
| 4 days | $248 | $340 |
Perisher and Thredbo ski lesson options
Perisher and Thredbo trail maps
So, which is best: Perisher or Thredbo?
It depends on what you’re looking for. Both ski resorts are popular choices and have more than enough to offer to fill a ski weekend, but if you’re after better skiing or a better village atmosphere, then we have some suggestions for you.
Best for skiing: Perisher. Although Thredbo does have a higher drop, Perisher has almost three times the number of runs available and skiable terrain.
Best for its village and aprés-ski: Thredbo. There’s many more accommodation options and the village has a great alpine atmosphere.
Best for affordability: Perisher. Lessons and lift tickets are a bit cheaper at Perisher than at Thredbo, and if you’re travelling with a group or family the difference can add up.
Ready to book? Check out our Perisher and Thredbo travel deals.
Popular Travel coupon codes
| Last checked | Code description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Aug 2020 | Up to 10% off local deals | BOR**** |
| 5 Aug 2020 | Extra 8% off on hotel bookings | CLP**** |
| 4 Aug 2020 | Extra 10% off experiences with code | RBF**** |
| 29 Jul 2020 | Get $20 credit | FIN**** |
| 13 Jul 2020 | Extra $10 off site-wide with code | FDR**** |
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Ask an Expert
What is the 1 and 2 day pricing on weekends if you do not purchase in advance for both Thredbo & Perisher?
Hi Alex,
Thanks for reaching out to finder. The pricing would vary depending on the pack you choose. Best to visit the official site of Thredbo and Perisher directly to get the exact price range for the 1- and 2-day tickets on weekends.
Cheers,
May