Mt Hutt, South Island, NZ
Less than an hour from Christchurch, the uncrowded ski slopes of Mt Hutt offer good bang for your buck with lift passes starting at $95, or you could pay $208 and get a full-day ski pass, a rental package and a two-hour group lesson for beginners. Click on nzski.com for more info.
Mt Buller, Vic
An easy three-hour drive from Melbourne, Mt Buller offers 22 lifts as well as ski-in, ski-out accommodation. Lift tickets for adults start at $120, or head to mtbuller.com.au for earlybird specials.
Thredbo, NSW
The alpine village of Thredbo, nestled in the heart of Kosciuszko National Park, is a six-hour drive from both Sydney and Melbourne. Budget-conscious skiers will know to stay at nearby accommodation in Jindabyne, just 35km away. Visit thredbo.com.au for its earlybird special – a one-day lift pass for $120 per adult.
Cardrona, NZ
Squeezed between Wanaka and Queenstown, Cardrona is a winter wonderland for kids, featuring a dedicated learning area with a ‘magic carpet’ escalator. A one-day ski pass is $103 for adults and $52 for kids. Visit cardrona.com for details of all its activities.