Skiing The Back Country
Australian Geographic Magazine|May - June 2019

Leave behind the manicured slopes used by most skiers and head for the valleys and peaks of Main Range in Kosciuszko National Park for an exhilarating three-day off-piste adventure.

Don Fuchs
Skiing The Back Country

FROM JUNE to October snow transforms the highest parts of the Australian Alps, including the Snowy Mountains, which are mostly within Kosciuszko National Park. This draws skiers en masse to resorts in the park of which the largest, Perisher, provides 1245 hectares of groomed terrain, with 47 skilifts. Also in the park, the Thredbo resort offers downhill enthusiasts 480ha of skiable terrain serviced by 14 lifts. The Snowies in winter, however, are not restricted to those who can afford multiple ski-lift passes and are looking for tidy slopes, cosy accommodation and chic restaurants and bars. Beyond the resorts’ managed realm is a wintry mountain world of staggering beauty, filled with challenges and adventures. A multiday ski tour is a great way to experience the stunning scenery and remoteness of our highest mountains in winter. With an experienced guide, even beginners can explore beyond ski resort boundaries and enjoy the solitude and grandeur of the Snowies in winter. Here’s a great three-day cross-country option to enjoy the slopes away from the crowds.

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This story is from the May - June 2019 edition of Australian Geographic Magazine.

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This story is from the May - June 2019 edition of Australian Geographic Magazine.

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