June 6, 2026 — 5:00amAustralia’s ski resorts have received a fresh covering of snow, with forecasts for more on the way over the King’s Birthday long weekend – and it’s not the only good news on the slopes, as this year’s ski season officially kicks off.Following falls of up to 25 centimetres of snow across ski resorts on Thursday, the Alps are sporting enough white to get skiers and snowboarders sliding this weekend.Regardless of which resorts dominate in the battle for the best powder, travellers planning an Australian ski trip this winter have plenty of new things to get excited about.Claire Talbot, Vail Resorts brand and experience seasonal coordinator, celebrates the snowy scenes at Hotham this week ahead of the opening weekend.Vail ResortsSnowmaking supervisor Jesse Ruming on the tools to match overnight snowfall on June 4 at Mount Hotham.Vail ResortsCheaper, more flexible and international lift passesSign up for the Traveller newsletterThe latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.While most skiers and snowboarders have a remarkable ability to find room in any budget for a trip, savings are especially welcome this year.The Epic Australia network covering Perisher, Falls Creek and Hotham offers the most meaningful new deal in a flexible four-day pass at $669 for adults ($379 for kids). This gives you any four days of skiing at any of the three resorts for the equivalent of $168 per day – down from around $250 – on sale until June 17.The unlimited Epic Australia Pass is not new but remains available to the extended deadline of June 17 for $1435. It pays for itself in a week, then unlocks northern hemisphere winter access to some of the world’s most colossal ski areas including Whistler Blackcomb in Canada, Vail in the USA, Hakuba in Japan and Verbier in Switzerland.Thredbo’s Ikon Pass, valid at destinations in the USA, Europe and Japan, is still on sale for about $2000.Thredbo’s equivalent, the Ikon Pass, is also still on sale for about $2000. It gives you seven days of skiing at home and at premium, bucket-list destinations like Aspen Snowmass in the USA, Zermatt and Chamonix in Europe, and Furano in Japan.Australia’s cheapest ski pass might still be “2 Buck Tuesdays” at Charlotte Pass. The offer’s been around for a while but might attract more intermediate and advanced riders in 2026 as a new double chairlift replaces the old Poma lift at Guthries.New beginner bundles and women’s programsFalls Creek local Sarah Gamon celebrates 15cm of fresh snow on June 4.Falls CreekLeo Grollo shovels snow at the top of Bourke St Express, Mount Buller, after a 25cm dump on June 4.Those new to the slopes can take advantage of some great beginner-friendly discounts.Perisher, Falls Creek and Hotham are launching a new Epic Beginner Bundle with three flexible days of beginner lift access, lessons and rental equipment for $499. That covers everything you need to learn for about $167 per day.Thredbo has new single-day “Learn to Ski and Snowboard” packages starting from $99 for adults, covering lift access to Friday Flat and a group lesson (rental equipment is extra). At Mount Buller, there’s a new tunnel cover over the magic carpet lift on Bourke Street that will keep beginner shredders warm.Meanwhile, intermediate and advanced female skiers looking to finesse their turns in a go-getter girl gang can join Perisher’s two-day Women’s Ski Weekend for $549 (lift pass is extra).New accommodationThe newly revamped Nelse Lodge at Falls Creek.Falls Creek’s historic Nelse Lodge reopens after a five-year transformation into a year-round wellness retreat. The stylish revamp added a gym, 12-person sauna and commercial-grade hot and cold mineral plunge pools.Nearby, Cooroora Alpine Lodge has modernised its lodge rooms and added generous new self-contained Skyline Penthouse Apartments opening this winter. At Mount Buller, the Ski Club of Victoria celebrates its 80th year with a facelift to its bar, restaurant and ski club at The Whitt.New après and food choicesA first-light breakfast at Eagle’s Nest with Thredbo’s First Tracks Club.Thredbo’s First Tracks Club starts with sunrise breakfast at Australia’s highest restaurant, Eagles Nest, followed by 30 minutes of exclusive skiing before the public hits the slopes. Cap it off with one of Thredbo’s free gigs, with headliners including The Presets on August 1.Perisher’s iconic Eiger Lodge has a fresh “Late Lunch …? Early Après?” menu from 2pm daily. For little ones, sweet shop Sugar & Snow opens at Mid-Station – strategically placed for parents negotiating those final tired kilometres home.Mount Buller’s popular Bull Run Cantina returns after a two-season hiatus, bringing tacos, hot bombardinos and frozen margaritas back fireside on the southern slopes. And at Falls Creek, Lakeside Lodge has new 4-5.30pm aperitivo deals and live music.The Perisher team arrived early to blizzard conditions on June 4.Vail ResortsNew transport optionsThe great petrol panic of 2026 has accelerated a range of new ways to reach the snow without filling up your own tank. Snowy Mountains Bus Service has added 868 winter services to shuttle riders from Cooma, Berridale and Jindabyne to the slopes daily.FlixBus offers new direct transfers from Sydney and Canberra all the way to Thredbo and Skitube (for access to Perisher) from $75 departing from Sydney.Kate Allman is a Sydney-based travel writer, sports journalist and broadcaster. Her globe-trotting adventures regularly coincide with American football games or other major sports events. Outside the commentary booth, she’s most at home when powder skiing in the Colorado Rockies. Follow Kate on Instagram and X @kateallman_From our partners