{"id":11107,"date":"2012-06-22T08:24:10","date_gmt":"2012-06-21T22:24:10","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/?p=11107"},"modified":"2018-05-15T06:50:34","modified_gmt":"2018-05-14T20:50:34","slug":"let-it-snow-let-it-snow-let-it-snow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/let-it-snow-let-it-snow-let-it-snow\/","title":{"rendered":"Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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lastminute lovely Sasha lends some advice on where to carve it up this chilly season.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
There\u2019s so much to love about winter. The sweetness of hot chocolate, the crackling fire place, not to mention winter wardrobe shopping. But there\u2019s one thing that always leaves me wanting more every year… the snow!
\nThe best thing about it? It\u2019s in our very own backyard.
\nTo help get you in the mood for a rugged up winter, we\u2019ve compiled a list of MUST visit ski destinations that don\u2019t involve a 20-something-hour flight to get to.<\/p>\n
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See you on the slopes!<\/p><\/div>\n

NSW<\/strong>
\nNew South Wales is the ultimate winter playground for ski bunnies and snow angels alike. With world class ski resorts (and restaurants and cafes galore), you\u2019ll just need to worry about what to pack!<\/p>\n

I absolutely love Thredbo<\/a>. Not only does it have Australia\u2019s longest ski runs, but it also has shops and a nightclub (you can\u2019t ski 24\/7 after all). The nightlife is particularly buzzing during the peak season, just make sure you save enough energy after a day on the slopes.<\/p>\n

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Thredbo-apres<\/p><\/div>\n

Perisher<\/a>, the largest ski resort in the southern hemisphere, is a winter wonderland. With a tube town, tobogganing, night skiing and live music at \u2018The Station\u2019 throughout the season, it\u2019s high up on the bucket list. To make it even more appealing (yes, it\u2019s possible), the resort opened a week early this year thanks to a huge dump of snow \u2013 sounds like a promising ski season to me!<\/p>\n

To get to Perisher you can either go by road or by the Skitube \u2013 Australia\u2019s only underground rack railway.<\/p>\n

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Snow, snow, snow!<\/p><\/div>\n

For accommodation off the slopes, Jindabyne<\/a> is the place to be. It\u2019s only a snowball throw away from all the action of Thredbo and Perisher, and it is absolutely beautiful. The area is a ski resort paradise, with heaps of cafes, shops and accommodation options to explore.<\/p>\n

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Carving up the slopes!<\/p><\/div>\n

VIC<\/strong>
\nVictoria is another state in Australia blessed with skiable snow. Ski resorts are only a few hours\u2019 drive from Melbourne, so it makes the perfect place to escape for a wintry weekend getaway. Mt Buller<\/a>, Falls Creek<\/a> and Mount Hotham<\/a> are some of the more popular ski resorts. I haven\u2019t had the chance to hit up Falls Creek or Mouth Hotham yet, but if they\u2019re anything like Mt Buller then get me on the next plane out!<\/p>\n

I first visited Mt Buller for a family trip about 10 years ago and it was where I learnt to ski, not to mention the first time I saw snow. If you\u2019re starting out for the first time, I highly recommend booking into a few lessons before shooting down the mountain.<\/p>\n

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Mount Buller<\/p><\/div>\n

My eager attitude made me learn the hard way \u2013 but how was I to know that getting the lift to the top of the mountain without knowing how to snow plough could end so badly? (To the lady I knocked out that day, if you\u2019re reading this… I am EXTREMELY sorry).<\/p>\n

NZ<\/strong>
\nNew Zealand has SO much to offer as a holiday destination, but where it really shines is up the mountain. With the strong Aussie dollar, and flights to New Zealand<\/a> as cheap as chups, now\u2019s the perfect time to cross the ditch and hit the slopes in NZ.
\nOne of my fave places to ski in NZ is Mt Hutt<\/a>. It\u2019s just over an hours\u2019 drive from Christchurch and if you\u2019re trying it out for the first time they have a \u2018magic carpet\u2019 lift for beginners. Luckily for me (and the entire Mt Hutt population), I had a little bit more experience before venturing down the mountains this time around.<\/p>\n

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Mount Hutt<\/p><\/div>\n

The alpine air is so fresh, and there is accommodation<\/a> nearby, making it extra easy to get up and go in the mornings.<\/p>\n

The Remarkables are another must see ski destination. Located in Otago on New Zealand\u2019s South Island, this drop-dead-gorgeous ski field is one you just HAVE to check it out. Complete with a snow tubing AND terrain park, the Remarkables are well worth a visit.<\/p>\n

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The Remarkables<\/p><\/div>\n

Queenstown<\/a> is less than an hour away so you can commute daily up the mountain if that\u2019s more your style. The impressive backdrop of Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown makes this the perfect postcard snap shot, so make sure you pack your camera.<\/p>\n

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The Remarkables looking over Lake Wakatipu<\/p><\/div>\n

If you\u2019re planning a trip to the snow this season, we\u2019ve compiled the best ski deals just for you. Check them out here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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