NSW ski fields bring it on

NEW South Wales main ski resorts have spent up big on snowmaking to make the most of what is predicted to big a bumper chilly winter.

Chill thrills ... Perisher Blue has frozen its bird season passes at 2007 prices while Thredbo has spent half a million dollar on new rental clothing, ski and snowboarding equipment / Steve Cuff

NEW South Wales main ski resorts have spent up big on snowmaking to make the most of what is predicted to big a bumper chilly winter, writes Doug Conway.

Perisher Blue

AUSTRALIA'S biggest ski resort, created by the merger of four resorts into one, features an extensive investment in snow-making and grooming and a lift capacity to rival many resorts in the US and Europe.

What's new for 2008:

A FURTHER $9.75 million investment in snow-making, extending the $3.6 million spent in 2007. In total, there will be 3.5ha of new snow-making coverage, on top of the current 40ha, covering high-traffic areas from Mid Station of the Forester Quad Express down to Front Valley. TO HELP first-timers, a new $100,000 ski carpet will be introduced at Smiggin Holes. GUEST information screens will be added in public areas to give visitors access to up-to-the-minute information. NEW snowcams will be included on Perisher Blue's website. EARLY bird season passes frozen at 2007 prices: $1039 for adults and $571 for children, giving unlimited mountain access all season.

Off-piste activities: Numerous nightclubs, bars and restaurants, Nordic snow-shoeing, tubing, night skiing Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Getting there: Six hours by road from Sydney or seven hours from Melbourne. Less than three from Canberra. Cooma airport is 45km from Jindabyne, Perisher's nearest town.

Stay: The Perisher Valley Hotel is the most upmarket of some two dozen commercial hotels and lodges on the snow and is located at the base of the lift system. The best alternative is to stay at Jindabyne and do the half-hour daily commute. Jindabyne has scores of lakeside apartments and houses for rent.

Perisher Blue Fast Facts

Village altitudes: Perisher Valley 1720m, Smiggin Holes 1680m, Guthega 1640m, Blue Cow Terminal 1890m. Lifts: 50, including one eight-seat high-speed chair, six quad chairs, four double chairs, two triples, 21 T-bars, four J-bars and four ski carpets. Highest lifted point: Mt Perisher double chair 2034m. Lift capacity: 52,903 skiers an hour.

More: www.perisherblue.com.au

Thredbo

THREDBO Village, in Kosciuszko National Park, is one of Australia's highest alpine towns, at 1930m above sea level. The village is famous for its European-style atmosphere and the slopes for their long runs and vast vertical descents.

What's new for 2008:

A FURTHER $1.5 million upgrade, bringing to $6 million the amount spent on automation in three stages. Snow-making now covers 65ha, including trails for all levels. The money has been spent on adding snowmaking to the World Cup run parallel to the Supertrail. NEW $500,000 snow groomer, a Kassbohrer 600 winch cat with emission control, which, the resort says, is "very green". MULTI-DAY lift ticket discounts in June, no matter how much snow or how many lifts are open. Same rates to apply in springtime, from September 15. For example, a two-day adult lift pass will be $129. WORK is in progress on redeveloping an old Thredbo favourite, New Kirk Lodge. Club lodges Golden Eagle and Kiama have also had extensions, alterations and refurbishment. ABOUT $500,000 invested in new rental clothing, ski and snowboarding equipment.

Off-piste activities: Mountain biking, scenic walks, free night skiing twice weekly, snowshoeing, snow climbing, snow camping, squash, indoor swimming, mini-golf, wide range of wining and dining options.

Getting there: Six to seven hours (500km) by road from Sydney and Melbourne and 2.5 hours from Canberra. Cooma airport is an hour away by road. Thredbo has more than 2500 car-parking spaces.

Thredbo Fast Facts

Stay: Capacity of 4000 people ranging from a youth hostel, B&Bs and club lodges to hotels, motels, apartments and chalets. Skiable area: 480ha. Vertical drop: 672m. Base elevation: 1365m. Summit: 2037m. Longest run: 5.9km. Lifts: 14. Average snowfall: 203cm. Snow-making: 25 per cent of resort.

More: www.thredbo.com.au