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Frequently Asked Questions
by Travellers to the Australian Ski fields

Lift Passes
Can you ski or snowboard without a lift ticket?
What does a lift pass entitle me to?
Can I ski more than one resort on the one lift ticket?
Are there senior discounts?
Is my multi-day ticket consecutive?
Do I need a lift pass to toboggan?

Lessons
Do I need lessons?
What is my Skier/Boarder type?
How long are my lessons?
Where do my lessons take place?
I have skied 20 years ago, if I take first timer lessons will I be stuck at the basic level the whole time?
What are the group lesson sizes?
What is the MILO club?

National Park / Gate Entry
Does my entry fee include parking?
Do I need to carry chains to the resort?
Do I need to pay for National Parks Entry if I catch the Skitube?
Where do I pay my National Park gate entry fee?

Arrival
When I arrive in Perisher via the Skitube, how do I get to my lodge?
What if I arrive late?
Is there a bond required for check-in?

Equipment Hire
Do I need to send through my sizes before I arrive?
How long does it take to get fitted for ski hire?
Where can I get snow chains from?
What age do the child rates cover?
Do I need waterproof clothing for snow play and skiing/boarding?
Can I hire roof racks?

Accommodation
Can I have extra people sleeping on the floor
Are apartments fully self-contained?
Can I pay for my accommodation when I arrive or check out?

Payments
How can I pay?
What is the payment schedule?
When can I expect a receipt?

Miscellaneous
What times are the lifts open?
Is there child care / day care available?
Can I toboggan?
Do I need travel insurance?
What is Gluhwein?

Conditions
When will it snow?
What if there’s no snow when I get there?
How do I know when to fit chains?
Are the roads difficult to travel?
If there isn’t much snow and I want to cancel my booking, will I get any money back?
How will I know if the road is clear to the mountains?

Transport
What is the Skitube?
How can I travel between Perisher and Smiggins?

LIFT PASSES

Can you ski or snowboard without a lift ticket?
If you wish to catch any lifts in a resort (chairlift, t bar etc) you are required to hold a valid lift ticket.

What does a lift pass entitle me to?
Your lift pass entitles you to all mountain access plus, if you hold a lift & lesson ticket, a lesson each day
of your selected standard. Your lift ticket does not include National Park Entry Fee for NSW or Gate Entry fee for VIC, however you can purchase a lift ticket with Skitube included if Perisher is your destination.

Can I ski more than one resort on the one lift ticket?
NSW: No. Your Perisher, Selwyn, Charlotte Pass or Thredbo lift ticket gives you access to that resort
alone. VIC: As Falls Creek and Hotham are affiliated, you may ski both resorts with a valid lift pass. You
can take a helicopter ride to move between the two resorts at an extra cost if you wish to.

Are there senior discounts?
All resorts provide discounts on lift tickets for seniors. Please contact your consultant for details.

Is my multi-day ticket consecutive?
All multi-day tickets are for consecutive days, with the exception of the Jindabyne Flexipass (for Thredbo NSW), which gives you the freedom to ski any 3 days of your choice within a 5 day period.

Do I need a lift pass to toboggan?
No, no lift pass is necessary to toboggan. It is strongly recommend that you stay within the designated tobogganing areas within the resort.
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LESSONS

Do I need lessons?
It is strongly recommended that first timers take lessons. Skiing and snowboarding can be dangerous for both you and other riders if equipment is used in the wrong way or if you are unable to perform actions to avoid accidents.

What is my Skier Boarder type?

Level
Skier
Snowboarder
1
Never Skied
Never boarded
2
Can complete basic snowplough turns and stop. Can basic turns on heel-side and toe-side, and ride the lift.
3 - 4
Starting intermediate terrain skiing moderately, Confident riding lifts and progressing to parallel turns Turning confidently on easy runs and some intermediate runs, progressing to riding fakie and beginning basic freestyle
5 - 6
Can ski short turns parallel with pole plants, introducing steeper terrain and bumps towards confidently skiing advanced runs. Carving advanced terrain with short turns and safely landing small airs. Park & Pipe progression

How long are my lessons?
The length of your lesson will depend on which resort you attend. Most resorts offer 2 hour lessons and
Perisher (NSW) offers 2.5 hour lessons.

Where do my lessons take place?
There are designated areas within each resort for guests to gather for their lesson. They are obviously
signed, however if you are unsure any staff member within the resort will be able to assist.

I have skied 20 years ago, if I take first timer lessons will I be stuck at the basic level the whole time?
Regardless of whether you take first timer lessons or all standard lessons, you will progress as the group progresses.

What are the group lesson sizes?
Generally lessons are no more than 8 students.

What is the MILO club?
The MILO club is an all day kids program which each resort has. Kids are taken according to their
age and ability and are taught to ski or snowboard (certain ages only). Depending on their age, they
also participate in outdoor and indoor snow play and most programs include lunch.
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NATIONAL PARK / GATE ENTRY

Does my entry fee include parking?
Your entry fee includes day parking at all resorts and overnight parking at Thredbo. Perisher and Selwyn do not provide overnight parking within the resort.

Do I need to carry chains to the resort?
All 2WD cars are required by law to carry chains within the National Park in NSW and above the snowline in VIC, but it is recommended that all cars carry chains around the Snowy Mountains in winter as conditions can change quickly.

Do I need to pay for National Parks Entry if I catch the Skitube?
No. Your National Parks Entry Fee is included in your Skitube ticket.

Where do I pay my gate entry or National Park entry fee?
You can pay for and collect your National Parks Entry sticker either at the Snowy Region Visitors Centre in Jindabyne or at the park gates as you pass through.
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ARRIVAL

When I arrive in Perisher via the Skitube, how do I get to my lodge?
There is a courtesy phone in the Skitube building behind the trolley bay with direct dial numbers to
each Lodge. All you need to do is call the lodge and let them know you have arrived.

What if I arrive late?
Each property has their own late arrivals procedure. Ask your consultant for details.

Is there a bond required for check-in?
Every property will require a bond in either a cash deposit or a credit card swipe. Amounts vary from
property to property.
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EQUIPMENT HIRE

Do I need to send through my sizes before I arrive?
No. You will be fitted upon arrival.

How long does it take to get fitted for equipment hire?
Time can vary dependent on the number and ages of the people being fitted, but in most cases you should expect around 10min per person

Where can I get chains from?
Chains can be collected from most service stations around the Snowy Mountains and Victorian resorts. There is no need to pre-book them.

What age do the child rates cover?
Child ages for equipment hire are generally up to 14 years old. Taller children may need adult sizes, and as such will be charged adult rates.

Do I need waterproof clothing for snowplay and skiing/boarding?
It is strongly recommended that you hire or purchase waterproof clothing for snow activities.

Can I hire roof racks?
Roof racks can be hired from most rental stores.
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ACCOMMODATION

Can I have extra people sleeping on the floor / in a swag?
In each property, specifically self-contained properties, there is a limit to the number of people legally allowed in a unit due to fire regulations and / or National Park regulations (on-snow properties only). If you are found to have more people than the stated limit, you may be fined and removed from the
property immediately.

Are apartments fully self-contained?
All apartments/townhouses/units are fully selfcontained with kitchen facilities and washing/drying
facilities. Each apartment has unique inclusions – ask your consultant for details

Can I pay for my accommodation when I arrive or check out?
Our booking terms and conditions require that all bookings are paid for in full 2 months prior to travel. Any incidentals such as phone calls, mini-bar or extra meals can be paid for upon check-out.
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PAYMENTS

How can I pay?
Payment for your booking can be made by credit card (with a 1.5% surcharge), B Pay, Cheque or Direct
Deposit.

What is the payment schedule?
We require a 50% deposit within 7 days of the booking with the final balance due 2 months prior to travel.

When can I expect a receipt?
Payments are receipted overnight, and as such you will receive updated documents the day after your
payment. If you are travelling within 24 hours, you will receive documents by the end of the working day.
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MISCELLANEOUS

What times are the lifts open?
Lifts are open from 8:30am until 4:30pm.

Is there child care / day care available?
Each resort has child care and day care available from half days to consecutive full days.

Can I toboggan?
Tobogganing is not permitted within Thredbo Resort, all other resorts have a designated toboggan area. It is recommended that you stay within the designated area to avoid accidents.

Do I need travel insurance?
We strongly recommend travel insurance as all monies paid within 2 months are non-refundable. Travel insurance can cover you for a number of situations you may not consider if travelling to the snow for the first time such as piste closure and loss of lift tickets. For a detailed list of items covered, ask your consultant for a travel insurance flyer.

What is Gluhwein?
Gluhwein or Mulled Wine is a delicious warm wine "cocktail".  Follow the recipe below and make a batch to share with friends, and you will soon know why Gluhwein translates to "glow wine"....fantastic after a long day on the slopes!

Serves 6
3 cinnamon sticks
10 whole cloves
1/2 large orange
2 cups water
1 cup sugar
2 (750-milliliter) bottles inexpensive dry red wine (such as merlot)
Rum (optional)
1. Enclose cinnamon sticks and cloves in large mesh tea ball or cheesecloth (breaking cinnamon sticks to fit as necessary); place in large pot. 2. Place orange half on work surface. Using knife, cut thick strips (including peel, pith and a bit of fruit) away from orange.
3. Add water and sugar to spices in pot and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add orange rind to pot, reduce heat to low, and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
4. Add wine to spice mixture and place pot over medium heat. Heat mixture, stirring occasionally, until hot (do not boil). Pour into mugs, adding a shot of rum to individual servings as desired, and serve hot.



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CONDITIONS

When will it snow?
As you know weather is unpredictable we would recommend checking one of the many weather forecasts online for up to date long-range and short range forecasts. In addition all of the Australian Ski Resorts have snowmaking facilities which helps to maintain snow cover in periods of low snow fall.

What if there’s no snow when I get there?
If there is not enough snow for your chosen resort to open any runs, you will be informed prior to your booking arrival date and your options will be discussed with you at that time. In VIC the resorts each have Snow Guarantees in place, where if there are not a certain number of lifts operating a certain number of days before your stay, you are entitled to a refund or credit.

How do I know when to fit chains?
If it is necessary for you to put chains on your tyres on your way up the mountain, you will be stopped at the appropriate chain-fitting bay by a National Parks or resort officer who will advise you of  conditions and assist you in fitting chains if necessary.

Are the roads difficult to travel?
As with any road in inclement weather, it is strongly recommended that care is taken and speed limits adhered to. The roads can also be windy and busy in peak times, so it is advisable that guests travel slowly and cautiously.

If there isn’t much snow and I want to cancel my booking, will I get any money back?
Our booking terms and conditions state that all monies paid within 2 months of travel are non refundable. If there is no skiable snow at your chosen resort, you will be informed prior to your arrival and your options discussed with you at that time. For VIC bookings if the Snow Guarantee is in effect, you will receive a discount or credit.

How will I know if the road is clear to the mountains?
The NSW RTA can provide you with up-to-date condition reports by calling 13 27 01.
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TRANSPORT

What is the Skitube?
The Skitube is an underground train running from Bullocks Flat (18km from Jindabyne, outside the National Park) to Perisher Valley and on to Blue Cow. It is a convenient way for day-trippers staying in Jindabyne to ski at Perisher without having to drive themselves. It is also a requirement that guests staying on-snow at Perisher park their car at the Bullocks Flat Skitube Terminal (parking here is free) and catch the Skitube to Perisher as there is no overnight parking available within the resort (with the exception of The Man From Snowy River Hotel and some Smiggins properties).

How can I travel between Perisher and Smiggins?
There is a free shuttle bus which runs between Perisher and Smiggins all day to allow you movement between the two resorts. You can also ski/snowboard between the resorts, depending on your ability level.
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