Get excited, people, winter is around the corner and Thredbo is launching new guided backcountry ski and snowboard tours for every level from first timer to experienced powder hound.
Head outside of the resort boundaries into Australia’s high country for your first taste of backcountry skiing and split boarding with a qualified guide at the ready to help you through the process or hit the Australian Main Range ready to burn those thighs with some serious steep and deep. Either way, you’ll have educated professionals leading the way and the entire experience is supported by leading outdoor brand, The North Face.
The small group tours (maximum 5 per group) will teach you the importance of backcountry safety skills including how to use skins, touring bindings, avalanche beacons and probes. Tours will run on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from July, weather permitting.
First time backcountry
Try the Signature Hill tour. It’s 3.5 hours long, costs $135 and is ideal for strong intermediate to advanced resort skiers. You’ll experience alpine touring and skinning up hill before some smooth downhill turns. If you want to do the more full on all day tours then you’ll need to do this one first as it’s a pre-requisite.
All day intermediate tour
Top of Australia
Set aside 7 hours and $220 for this tour. If you are a strong in resort intermediate skier or snowboarder then this one is for you as the skill level is ideal for beginner to advanced backcountry skiers and boarders. You’ll ride off the top of Australia’s highest peak, Mt Kosciuszko at 2228 meters above sea level. The terrain here is rolling and gentle and the Main Range simply stunning. You may even fit in a sojourn to the historic Seamans Hut.
Cream of the Etheridge Range crop
This one’s for the expert resort skier with an advanced backcountry ski or snowboard level. The full day tour ($220) takes in Etheridge Ridge, above the tree line, amongst wind blown powder stashes and challenging terrain. Lunch will be at Seamans Hut for some true blue Snowy Mountain history.
Expert times two
These two tours are for the expert resort rider and expert backcountry skier. Choose from a full day at Leatherbarrel Creek or a full day at Twin Valleys. Both $220. Expect long runs, tree skiing, open bowls and steeps in the South Ramshead Range on the Leatherbarrel day and fresh lines above the Alpine Way in challenging open bowls at Twin Valleys.
Check out the Thredbo website for more.
