‘Out of reach’: 440 per cent price price hikes put a freeze on ski dreams for ordinary Aussies

Dreams of holidaying in the snow are melting away for everyday Australians, with exorbitant lift prices and accommodation costs making skiing a sport for the rich.

Dreams of holidaying in the snow are melting away for everyday Australians, with exorbitant lift prices and accommodation costs making skiing a sport for the rich.

Analysis of lift prices at NSW’s top ski resorts, Thredbo and Perisher, show a rise of more than 441 per cent since 1990.

In 1990, a full-priced Perisher and Thredbo Day lift pass cost $46, according to Trove archives. Accounting for inflation, the same ticket today should cost $118 (including GST). In reality, a 2024 day pass costs $249.

It’s sparked backlash from snow tourists, including avid skier and outback adventurer Michael Atkinson.

With price hikes of more than 400 per cent skier and outback adventurer Michael Atkinson says skiing in NSW is becoming out of reach for ordinary Australians.

In a now-viral video, Mr Atkinson said: “Skiing is becoming completely out of reach for the average Joe. The divide between rich and poor is growing in Australia”.

“There are enough rich people with this limited resource of snow terrain in Australia, that they will pay for whatever they need.”

Mr Atkinson said everyone is feeling the pinch.

“I’ve been skiing my whole life there, I know what it used to be like … There are enough upper-middle class people in Australia that you can charge this crazy price, but you are locking out the majority of people,” he said.

Andrew and Kathryn Farr with their children Izzy and Xavi. Mr Farr has been going to the snow for 30 years but he has decided to give Thredbo a pass this year because it is too expensive. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“We live in a society where companies can charge what they like and people will pay it. They are just doing what every other company does.”

The huge prices mean that even those with sentimental attachments to NSW’s snowy mountains are unable to visit.

Ivan Bailey married his wife Erica at Thredbo and christened their child at the same Thredbo chapel.

However, after years of travelling to the nostalgic ­location, they have had to pull the pin on their annual trip.

“We used to go two or three times a year. We loved it, it was such as big part of our us.

“But we haven’t been back since because the price has gotten too expensive. The lift prices are just ridiculous.”

Snow enthusiasts, like Andrew Farr say the huge price hikes at snow resorts mean this activity that was such a big part of their lives is now out of reach.

It’s a thought mirrored by Wollongong dad Andrew Farr. After skiing at Thredbo for more than 30 years, the father of two has decided to give Thredbo a pass this year.

Mr Farr said accommodation has become too expensive: “You are paying over $1000 a night for a little one bedroom shack, that’s often very rundown. If you buy early or get a season pass you can save some money, but you have got to go down a couple of weekends then to make the most of it.

“For people just wanting to go one time and try it, they are getting slammed with $250, plus the $30 to get in, you have to carry chains and rent gear … it just feels like it has become more and more of a money grab.” He said it would be easy for a family to spend over $10,000.

“Last year we stayed for five days and it cost us about $5000 on accommodation alone. It doesn’t include the ticket price, it doesn’t include food. It’s a lot of money for your average family.

“If you are going for anything longer than a week in Australia, it’s definitely cheaper to go overseas.

“At some stage you have to ask: ‘Is this value for money? There are people who have said save your money and do a ski season in Japan.”

Tori and Christian Gibson, pictured in Nozawa, Japan, have made the decision to swap Thredbo and Perisher for Japan, where a one-day ski lift pass costs just $85.

It’s a move many are making. Snow lover Christian Gibson has made the decision to swap Thredbo and Perisher for Japan, where a one-day ski lift pass costs just $85.

“The slopes in Japan are much better value for money especially when you are a casual skier,” he said.

However, not all say the pricing is unreasonable. Angelo Guffrie is a former worker at Perisher resort and now runs the local post office. He said that many people fail to realise the extreme expenses that go into running a seasonal resort.

He said there are ways to save money – it all comes down to preparation: “When you plan in advance you get a cheaper daily ticket price. Very few people come here and buy a ticket for $250.”

Meanwhile, a one day ski lift pass in Queenstown’s Coronet Peak is just $165 for adults and $105 for children.

Adam Riesel is planning to sleep in his car on his next snow holiday to save money. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Perisher general manager Nathan Butterworth said the resort encourages skiers to book and purchase tickets in advance.

“We think of it similarly to the airline industry – it is very rare that someone would show up to the airport to buy a ticket on the same day they plan to fly,” he said. “The majority of visits to our resorts are from Epic Australia Pass Holders who are planning ahead of the season, not guests skiing and riding with a lift ticket bought on the day, when they are most expensive.”

Adam Riesel, 22, is going to extreme lengths to save money on the ski field.

He is carpooling to the mountains with strangers to save money on fuel and will sleep in his car. “I sleep with two doonas and lots of clothes. I’ve built a bed in the back of my car. The biggest sacrifice is your gear is cold and wet the next day,” he said.

Thredbo did not respond to requests for comment.

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