Perisher

After rinsing the blue out of their name and re-branding themselves as Perisher, Australia's premier skiing and snowboarding destination has raised the ski holiday benchmark to an all-time high with their 'bigger, better and bolder' approach to the 2009 season.

By serving up more adventures, activities, experiences and, well, snow than ever before (thanks to their $19 million investment in snowmaking equipment), jumping in on the last few months of the snow-filled season has never been more appealing.

Spoiled for choice

If it can glide you along the slopes, Perisher has it. From skiing and snowboarding through to snow tubing and snowshoeing, the range of adventures, experiences and activities available to visitors to Perisher is second to none.

Magnificent 7

Seven is not just a lucky number: it's the number on every skier's lips, from those finding their feet on skis for the first time through to hardcore pros. Perisher boasts seven of the best mountain peaks on offer, including Mt Perisher (2,054m), Mt Back Perisher (2,014m), Mt Piper (1,830m), Mt Blue Cow (1,994m), Rocky Knob (1,900m), Guthega Peak (1924m) and Mt Blue Calf (1,905m). That's enough slopes to satisfy an Olympic gold medalist.

Snowboarding

Avid snowboarders will love Perisher's Fusion Parks and Pipes, which includes the 100m-long and 17m-wide Playstation Superpipe as well as the Playstation Slopestyle Park that's spilling over with booters, hip jumps, spines and step ups. Add to that the Playstation Blue Cow Park, the Coca-Cola Terrain Park, Columbia Fun Park and the brand new Outer Limits Rider X Course and Milo Mini Park for tiny-tot boarders, and it's easy to see why Perisher is considered as a boarder's paradise.

Snow tubing

Whether you have two left skis or simply want a change of pace, snow tubing could be just your thing. Tube Town is located adjacent to the Perisher Valley on Mt Piper, and is specially designed to cater for this thrilling and fast-paced activity. Tube Town's specially groomed lanes means your high-speed ride down the slopes can be as safe as it is exhilarating. Two tube sizes are available and ride packages range from $6 for one to $50 for 15.

First track mornings

If you crave a little ‘you time' and love the look of freshly fallen snow then keep Tuesdays and Thursdays between 7.30am and 9.30am free. First Track gives early birds exclusive access to the popular runs on Eyre T-Bar and first crack at messing up freshly groomed snow. Perfect for clean freaks!

Night skiing and boarding

If you think Perisher is spectacular by day, she'll charm the pants off you by night when Front Valley lights up like a snow-drenched Christmas tree. Night skiing (Tuesdays and Saturdays, 6-9pm) has become increasingly popular with those who enjoy a little after-hours action on the slopes under the stars. (Pssst: it also provides the perfect backdrop for popping the question!)

Nordic skiing and snowshoeing

Explore the best of the Snowy Mountains with this exciting and safe cross-country skiing expedition. More than 100km of marked cross-country trails in this stunning region provide the perfect scene for either a blood-pumping workout or a leisurely walk. And before you even think of strapping tennis rackets to your shoes, drop in at Wilderness Sports in Jindabyne, where you can grab the right equipment and find out all the experiences on offer. Wilderness Sports, Nuggets Crossing, Perisher Valley 2624. (02 6456 2966 www.wildernesssports.com.au).

Groomer tours

This one-hour twilight tour on board one of Perisher's impressive groomers (snow tractors) reveals the Front Valley from an entirely different angle and can offer your legs a well deserved break to boot. Tours leave at 5pm, Tuesdays and Saturdays in August and Tuesdays in September.

Passes

Accessing your favourite slopes, peaks and runs provides and excellent opportunity to catch your breath, take in the awesome sights and exchange a phone number or two along the way. Perisher hits you up with a great range of passes that cover all your bases.

Mountain Passes

Whether you want to wet your feet for just one day, get a few days out on the slopes or glue yourself to your skis for an entire week, regular season Mountain Passes have got you covered. These popular passes range from one-day through to seven-day options and can be combined with a 2.5 hour group lesson each day for just little extra. (One-day pass $102; with standard lesson $145; five-day pass $449; with standard lesson $585. Beginners lessons are also available.)

Skitube Passes

CityRail could learn a thing or two from this 8.5km skitube Alpine railway ride that, unlike your morning CBD commute, always runs on time. Skitube takes you from Bullocks Flat through the Ramshead Range and into the National Park then onto Perisher Valley and Blue Cow Mountain in a seamless and often rather social journey. All aboard! (Same Day Return $47; $26 child. Skitube Only Season Pass $242; $133 child.)

Custom Passes

We all want something different out of our skiing holiday. Perisher's other unique passes include: Tube Town Passes - for those who want to tube the custom-made lanes of Mt Piper; Snow Experience Passes - triple treat access to Tube Town, Skitube Alpine Railway and sightseeing chairlift rides; as well as Snow Experience Passes and general Season Passes.

Well schooled

There is no shame in being a skiing virgin and certainly no better place to start than at Perisher's Snowsport School. Here you can mix it up with other ski and board newbies as well as those wanting to brush up on their technique. Private lessons are available for those who like being the centre of attention or just prefer a one-on-one approach.

If there is one school that is totally wag-proof it's got to be Kids Snowsports School. With three individual programmes aimed for the 3-4, 5-7 and 8-14 year olds, it's so much fun that kids will be wishing there was detention involved. For those who need to walk before they can ski, Snowy Daycare offers professional daycare that will have your bubs asking ‘mummy who?' at pick-up time.

Where to stay

Perisher is bursting at the seams with luxury, family and budget accommodation with a number of on-snow and off-snow options. Perhaps one of the most upmarket stays is the Perisher Valley Hotel, which offers all of the features of a first class establishment including four bars, Snow Gums restaurant, guest lounge, spa, sauna and a much-needed in-house masseuse. Perisher Centre 2624. (02 6459 4455 www.perisher.com.au).

For family-friendly off-snow accommodation, The Station can't be beat. Located near beautiful Lake Jindabyne and the magnificent Kosciuszko National Park, the station offers sensational five-night accommodation and skiing packages and a 'Kids Stay Free' offer that the Brady Bunch themselves couldn't resist. 8228 Snowy River Way, Jindabyne 2627. (1300 369 909).
Check out all the accommodation on offer at www.perisher.com.au.

Getting there

The most popular way to get to Perisher is by driving the 495km from Sydney via Canberra and Cooma. The journey takes about six hours; be sure to pack snow-chains, as they are legally required in ‘snow-ice' risk areas for 2WD vehicles. Coach options from Sydney or flights to Canberra (only a 2.5 hour drive to Perisher) are also available.

Perisher has plenty of other sensational offers and experiences so log onto www.perisher.com.aufor more information.

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