Style set kicks off Aussie ski season with snow chic and champagne

THE style set has kicked off the Aussie ski season with snow chic and champagne, as the Fashion Bloggers crew shoot its TV show.

AUSTRALIA’S leadings snow resorts officially kicked off their 2015 winter seasons over the long weekend, with some impressive early season conditions.

Partygoers in NSW’s Thredbo included Kate Waterhouse and Luke Ricketson, Sally Bowrey, fashion blogger Nadia Fairfax and Isabella Manfredi, who all revelled in the weekend’s wintry conditions by hitting the slopes and having “workations” from their music and TV projects.

While large parts of Australia’s southeast shivered through the first day of winter, heavy snow falls and subzero temperatures enticed residents in parts of Tasmania, Victoria and NSW to the ski fields.

While the Queen’s birthday long weekend doesn’t often deliver the icy goods — with “après” (after-skiing) fun often more prevalent than snow frolics — the vibe was positive with reports of 30cm of snow hitting some parts of Australia’s ski fields.

Boasting plenty of music, parties and celebrations, more than 2000 guests visited Thredbo, including a flock of fashion bloggers and snow style-meisters who saw The Preatures play a free gig to a huge crowd on Saturday night.

Kate tries out sabrage, the fine art of slicing off a champagne cork.

Kate Waterhouse with husband Luke Ricketson and their gorgeous ski-baby, Sophia.

The Cruiser and Gunbarrel chairlifts in Thredbo kicked into operation on Saturday, the earliest they have operated on opening weekend since 2011. Those not skiing were kept warm in après style at the Rekorderlig “Sounds in the Snow” poolside party with Crooked Colours, Red Wine Roses and The Preatures pumping it out.

Families with children played in Thredbo’s free Snow Play Park and joined the Thredboland animals at the kids opening party where children enjoyed dance classes, face painting, Snowy the Clown and a fire show. Oh, and obligatory fireworks.

Woo-hoo: kids were going off! But why don’t they fall down as much as us adults?

Early reports had predicted that a cold front was on the horizon, with temperatures well into the subzeros during the nights before the long weekend as snow-making teams were kept hard at work, turning Thredbo into a new season of skiing.

Does life get better? Toboggans rule!

A very chilly Sunday also saw Thredbo Village transform for the Mumm Long Lunch, which featured a huge outdoor setting, live musicians, a three-course Italian-inspired buffet lunch. Oh, and lots of champagne.

Diners included fashion bloggers Kate Waterhouse, Sara Donaldson and Nadia Fairfax, who where shooting a snow episode of their Fashion Bloggers TV series. Meanwhile, those needing to unwind after a weekend of skiing, snowboarding and partying were looked after at the pub bistro recovery party in the Thredbo Alpine Hotel.

TV presenter on the Seven Network, Sally Bowery, and husband Richard in snow-mode

Thredbo was awarded best ski resort in the 2014 Australian Traveller’s People’s Choice awards while it also holds the mantle as the best Australian and New Zealand Family Ski Resort in the Out & About With Kids 2014 awards and Best Australian Ski Resort in the prestigious Luxury Travel Magazine 2014 Gold List Awards. The place must be doing something right...

Melissa Hoyer attempted to resurrect her ski legs as a guest of Thredbo.