15 July 2011

There’s No Day Like Snow Day

| ArrEmm
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snow

“The good thing about Canberra is that it’s so close to the snow” – Some jerk.

As far as back-handed compliments go, this is one of the best, but let not that proud Canberran rage get in the way of you and the snow!

We are a mere 3 hour drive from a type of cold that testicles fear, friction loathes and wallets despise, but all of the weight on the con’s side of the scale doesn’t come close to matching the awesomeness of sliding down a huge mountain really fast.

To take advantage of our prime, close-to-everything real estate, I have compiled a list of 1 day snow options. If you’re as time and money poor as I am (chances are you’re not), then 1 day is all you can afford, what with ski resorts starting at the price my liver would fetch before I discovered goon.

As far as Packages go, options are thusly:

Murrays

http://www.murrays.com.au/SnowCoachTravel.aspx

Daily, depending on demand

Day skier Package :

  • Thredbo – Ski or Snowboard Adult $163, Child $138
  • Perisher – Ski adult/child $154
  • Perisher – Snowboard adult/child $198

Includes everything you need to ski or board for a day; Park entry, unlimited/unrestricted lift pass, return bus and ski/board and boot hire.

Departs Jolimont @ 5.30am (Calwell @ 5.50am)

Arrives snow around 8am

Departs snow 4pm

Arrive Canberra 7pm


TBX Transborder Express

http://www.transborder.com.au/wintersnowservices.html

Running everyday but Monday, trips cancelled and refunded if less than 10 takers

Day Skier Package:

  • Thredbo Ski or Snowboard Adult $165, Child $137
  • Perisher Ski – Adult/Child $160
  • Perisher Snowboard – Adult/Child $197

They offer a loyalty scheme which can get you 25% off if you use their services often enough.

TBX also offer everything you need to go up and down the mountains including gear hire, but they have more pickup points including Gangahlin (5am), Belconnen, Civic, Woden, Calwell, and Cooma.

Because there are more pick-up points, they arrive at the snow 30 minutes later than Murrays, but they leave the snow 30 minutes later too, so I guess it all evens out.

If you live in Gangahlin it’s tres convenient.


I think that’s it as far as day packages go. There may be some other bus options that take you to the slopes (http://www.snowalliance.com.au, http://www.snoexpress.com.au/) but I don’t think they offer lift passes (valued at $107 for Thredbo, and $109 [incl. Ski tube]) or gear hire.

The bus packages work out to be much cheaper than driving yourself, and you have the added bonus of not having to fight to keep your eyes open on the way home.

Happy snowing! May your bones stay unbroken!

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dtc said :

dvaey said :

150? From Tuggeranong to Adaminaby is just a touch over 85km. I guess if you took the long way thruogh Cooma, you’d add an extra 70km to the trip, but thatd be like heading from Canberra to Yass on a quick trip to Sydney.

Is this via the Bobeyan Road? How is that to drive – isnt much of it gravel (thus requiring either much slower speeds or an ‘off road’ car)? And presumably with the potential for some snow or at least mud

Drove my AWD subaru sedan to Adaminaby via Bobeyan Rd a couple of weeks ago. There was snow on the road and a few trees down, but took it easy and no hassle at all. Much of the road is unsealed and quite muddy. You need to be very sensible and smooth, and will spend a lot of time driving at around 60km/h. It’s a very interesting drive, though, with some great scenery and plenty of snow.

If you just want to get there, though, the trip via Cooma is easier and quicker, just longer.

KB1971 said :

Nope, Monaro Highway. Bobyan Road is much shorter about 80km from Lanyon but as you say 1/2 of it is dirt & is usually passable by a 2wd car but it gets settling snow around Mt Clear & is quite often closed this time of year. It is also quite rough, hilly & windy so your average speed is lower. It takes me about 1:15 to 1:30 to travel it although I have not been across there in my new car (non turbo diesel Nissan Patrol slug vs newer Pathfinder) which would be much faster as I wont be snatching second on the big hills.

The road was open 2 weeks ago (since the posting on here about the road being closed). The last few times Ive travelled up that road, Ive been in 2wd and we even had a late model commodore in our convoy once which handled the road with very little problem. There are a couple of corrugations and cattle grids that you have to keep an eye out for, but when you can save an hour and 70 km on the trip, its worth it.

KB1971 said :

Knowing how most people drive in Canberra, the safest route is via the Monaro, this is why I suggested it.

The Monaro seems to be filled with snow tourists this time of year, leading to accidents like the major one near bredbo last weekend that closed the highway in both directions. Taking the less used roads and visiting the less used parts of the snow will generally improve your snow experience, from what Ive learned

I’d love to take the kids to see some snow, and the shorter the drive the better, but I can’t see an 85km route on the Monaro from Tuggers to Adaminaby on Google Maps. It’s either 154km on the Monaro via Cooma, or 94km on the Bobeyan Road. Could I ask for a bit more info on how you’re getting from Tuggers to Adaminaby in just 85km via the Monaro? Thanks!

dtc said :

dvaey said :

150? From Tuggeranong to Adaminaby is just a touch over 85km. I guess if you took the long way thruogh Cooma, you’d add an extra 70km to the trip, but thatd be like heading from Canberra to Yass on a quick trip to Sydney.

Is this via the Bobeyan Road? How is that to drive – isnt much of it gravel (thus requiring either much slower speeds or an ‘off road’ car)? And presumably with the potential for some snow or at least mud

Nope, Monaro Highway. Bobyan Road is much shorter about 80km from Lanyon but as you say 1/2 of it is dirt & is usually passable by a 2wd car but it gets settling snow around Mt Clear & is quite often closed this time of year. It is also quite rough, hilly & windy so your average speed is lower. It takes me about 1:15 to 1:30 to travel it although I have not been across there in my new car (non turbo diesel Nissan Patrol slug vs newer Pathfinder) which would be much faster as I wont be snatching second on the big hills.

Knowing how most people drive in Canberra, the safest route is via the Monaro, this is why I suggested it.

dvaey said :

150? From Tuggeranong to Adaminaby is just a touch over 85km. I guess if you took the long way thruogh Cooma, you’d add an extra 70km to the trip, but thatd be like heading from Canberra to Yass on a quick trip to Sydney.

Is this via the Bobeyan Road? How is that to drive – isnt much of it gravel (thus requiring either much slower speeds or an ‘off road’ car)? And presumably with the potential for some snow or at least mud

KB1971 said :

150km will get you to Adaminaby or to Berridale. Not much snow there.

150? From Tuggeranong to Adaminaby is just a touch over 85km. I guess if you took the long way thruogh Cooma, you’d add an extra 70km to the trip, but thatd be like heading from Canberra to Yass on a quick trip to Sydney.

We did a 3hr round-trip up the back of Franklin a week or two ago, and that included changing a flat tyre while the kids had a snowball fight.

dvaey said :

We are a mere 3 hour drive from a type of cold

3 hours driving to the snow? Are you in a golf cart or something? Head out to Uriarra, youre looking at maybe 90min round-trip. Even to Cabramurra, the highest town in Australia, youre looking at a 150km drive. 3hrs would probably get you pretty close to the vic ski fields.

For people going to the snow, there are much better/cheaper options than the high-priced resorts, unless youre happy to spend an arm and a leg to enjoy natures freebies.

150km will get you to Adaminaby or to Berridale. Not much snow there. Cabramurra is a good 1-1.5 hours from Adaminaby (in the dry) & Perisher is a little over 60km from Berridale.

I posted in the other snow thread, be self sufficient & it wont cost a lot for some great snow this year. Canberra people are just going to have to accept that the local snow is not reliable not readliy accessable.

Stop whinging people & get out there as its a bumper year this year.

We are a mere 3 hour drive from a type of cold

3 hours driving to the snow? Are you in a golf cart or something? Head out to Uriarra, youre looking at maybe 90min round-trip. Even to Cabramurra, the highest town in Australia, youre looking at a 150km drive. 3hrs would probably get you pretty close to the vic ski fields.

For people going to the snow, there are much better/cheaper options than the high-priced resorts, unless youre happy to spend an arm and a leg to enjoy natures freebies.

colourful sydney racing identity said :

ConanOfCooma said :

If you are after close snow, and don’t have a 4WD, head through Cooma and take the Adaminaby turn off – Drive until you see snow. If you want big stuff to play in, drive further.
.

cheers mate

You could also head up to Bulls Head, with any luck tue road will be open to Mt Franklin Chalet. There should be enough snow up there for you at the chalet & you should be able to get up there easy enough in a 2wd car as it’s been dry for a week.

Conan: I agree with you, following a Magna with ACT plates home last evening at 70-80 out of Bredbo, as soon as we hit the overtaking lanes heading over to Collington she sped up to 90-95 ish. I then had to speed to get around as it was only safe to pass on overtaking lanes last night due to traffic. I really don’t understand this mentality, if you are doing 80 before the overtaking lane, stay at 80 so the people who want to do 100 can pass safely.

To the OP, bus trips are the go. They are comfortable & you don’t have to deal with the traffic. Makes for a great day.

A good post. It had me thinking about that episode of Fawlty Towers where the wife of the American guest says that where they live is a few minutes away from both the snow and the surf. You can get in the car here and be skiing within two hours, or on the beach within the same amount of time.

but I don’t think they offer lift passes (valued at $107 for Thredbo, and $109 [incl. Ski tube])

Just a small correction – that price for Perisher doesn’t actually include the ski tube. Add about $30 onto an adult ticket to get the tube.

Nice article though. If you can manage the early morning start, it’s gotta be one of the best ways to spend a day at the snow – especially if you’re a once a year or two type of skier, and you don’t have your own gear. When you factor fuel costs in, it’d be harder to do it cheaper yourself unless your car was full – especially after you’ve had to hire chains too.

WonderfulWorld9:47 pm 15 Jul 11

Real skiers go to Perisher. Snobs to Thredbo.

Corin Forest used to get snow and is only 40 minutes away, when light on they produced fake snow to support and had a tobogan area, good to play in for tinies and young at heart. But I just checked the website and it does not show this as an option anymore. Still if you just want to see snow for the first time, throw a few snowballs and have a bit of fun, out this way could be an option.

http://www.corin.com.au/futurePlans.htm

colourful sydney racing identity1:39 pm 15 Jul 11

ConanOfCooma said :

If you are after close snow, and don’t have a 4WD, head through Cooma and take the Adaminaby turn off – Drive until you see snow. If you want big stuff to play in, drive further.
.

cheers mate

Gungahlin Al1:30 pm 15 Jul 11

Going by bus is brilliant for one or two people. Pack some grub and get on bus outside Magnet Mart at Gungahlin at 5ish. Pull beanie over eyes and go back to sleep. Wake up at Cooma then enjoy the views the rest of the way and arrive on opening time. Board your legs into complete submission all day. Apply reverse for trip home. Home for dinner by 7pm.

Always annoying that there aren’t options for “got my own gear” and “lift and lesson”.
So if you are a boarder with own board, pick the ski option (cheaper) and see if you can sell your gear ticket at the gear shop.

My pick is Perisher. SO much variety. Love the open and quieter slopes over Guthega way for practicing the turns, with gorgeous views over the Main Range wilderness rather than over a messy village. Up around Mount P is sweet too. Anywhere BUT front valley…

I don’t know what bus companies do Selwyn but there were several up there a couple of weeks back?

grunge_hippy1:21 pm 15 Jul 11

man that’s gone up. It was like $50 for the bus when I was in uni…

Mind you, the last time I went was back in 1995.

ConanOfCooma12:48 pm 15 Jul 11

If you are after close snow, and don’t have a 4WD, head through Cooma and take the Adaminaby turn off – Drive until you see snow. If you want big stuff to play in, drive further.

I’d also be less concerned about broken bones than I would be about dying on the roads. You Canberrans seem to think that varying between 80 to 120kmh in snow traffic is a great idea. It’s better than the QLDers in their 4WDs doing 130, but only just.

As for the Perisher/Thredbo debate, they both have great snow, it just depends what you are looking for. If you want to get rude service, and your money stolen by local businesses, anywhere past Jindy will do you fine.

I went to Thredbo last weekend and it was pretty perfect! We were lucky enough to have had a blizzard blow through the day before, leaving clear blue skies in its wake.

You could check out Corin Forest for some non-ski snow. Not 100% sure if it’s white, but it’s close and pretty.

colourful sydney racing identity12:35 pm 15 Jul 11

Is there any snow near by? Not looking for huge amounts for skiing or anything, just enough for CSRI jr to make a snow ball or two…

Perisher or Thredbo? Which is better?

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