Ski deals for NSW, Victoria and New Zealand's 2012 season

STRONG competition between Australian and New Zealand ski resorts has led to a plethora of great deals in 2012.

Lake Crackenback

WITH competition between Australian and New Zealand ski resorts stronger than it's ever been, there are plenty of great deals around this season.

We've done the hard work for you and compiled a list of some of the best packages available in NSW, Victoria and New Zealand for the upcoming ski season.

Here's hoping for some bumper snowfalls!

Photo gallery: Ski deals in pictures

Victoria

Mt Hotham
SPEND five nights at the ski-in/ski-out Hotham Heights Chalet from $867 per adult and $796 per child, based on 10-share accommodation. The Family Ski Week package includes accommodation in a three bedroom, two bathroom chalet, five-day lift pass and five group lessons or half-days at the Kids Snowzone. Valid for travel from June 9 to 28 and again from August 31 until September 30.

See www.hotham.com.au

Mt Buller
STAY three nights for the price of two midweek at Mt Buller in Victoria with the Lodge Escape package. Priced from $549 per adult and from $368.50 per child, it includes three nights accommodation at SkiLib Alpine Club, a three-day unlimited lift ticket and three days ski or board hire. Valid from June 9 until June 28 and again from September 2 until the close of the season. Price is based on two adults sharing. Conditions apply. Subject to availability. Available until sold out.

Ph 1800 BULLER or email [e-mail]

Mt Hotham
ENJOY two nights accommodation at Ultima self-contained apartments at Mt Hotham in Victoria from $641 per adult and $501 per child, based on four-share. Package includes accommodation in a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment, a two-day lift pass, two days equipment hire and two group lessons or two half-days at the Kids Snowzone. Valid for travel from June 29 until August 30, 2012. Ultima offers undercover heated car park nearby in Hot Plate Drive.

See www.hotham.com.au

Mt Buller
STAY for four nights midweek and only pay for three with this offer from the ski-in, ski-out Mt Buller Chalet Hotel & Suites in June. Includes accommodation in a King Bourke room, daily buffet breakfast, a four-day adult lift ticket from $743 per person. Children priced from $136 per person. Valid for Sunday to Thursday bookings from June 11 to June 29, 2012, subject to availability. Only valid when booked directly with Buller Holidays. Terms and conditions apply.

Ph 1800 810 200 or email [e-mail]

Falls Creek
FALLS Creek's Quay West Resort & Spa has Snow Retreat packages from $407 per night, based on twin/double occupancy. Price includes accommodation in a one-bedroom apartment with full breakfast daily. Valid for stays from June 8 until September 30, 2012. Subject to availability, conditions apply.

Ph [phone], email [e-mail] or see www.quaywestfallscreek.com

Falls Creek
ENJOY five nights midweek at Huski Luxury Apartments from $685 per night. Sleeping up to eight people, the apartment has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, dining area, under-floor heating laundry facilities and drying cupboard. Valid for travel from June 10 until August 23 until sold out. Prices may vary depending on travel dates.

Ph 1300 130 485, email [e-mail] or see www.travel.com.au

NSW

Lake Crackenback

Lake Crackenback
ENJOY a two-night Winter Escape at Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa from $266 per person. Price is based on four people sharing a two-bedroom, two-bathroom lakeview apartment. Includes hot breakfast each morning of your stay and $100 credit to use at resort dining outlets - Cuisine on Lake Crackenback Restaurant & Bar or the Alpine Larder and 10 per cent discount off Harro's on-site ski hire. Guests can also use the resort's complimentary shuttle bus to the Skitube. Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability. Valid June 8 until September 30, 2012.

Ph 1800 020 524 or see www.lakecrackenback.com.au

Thredbo
PAY from $1095 for five nights at The Lantern Apartments in Thredbo or from $1470 for seven nights. Rates are available most weeks and for most apartment types, but there are limited numbers so get in early. Offer excludes bookings for the July school holidays and is only available until sold out. Terms and conditions apply.

Ph 1800 020 598 or see www.lanternapartments.com.au

Selwyn Snowfields
TWO adults and two children can stay in self-contained cabins at Anglers Reach Lakeside Village from $778 for three days, including lift tickets. Accommodation is located 30 minutes from Selwyn Snowfields. A range of four- and five-night packages are also available, with or without equipment hire and lessons. Valid Sunday to Thursday nights from June 23 until June 29 and again from July 16 until September 2. Not available online. Subject to availability. Linen available at extra cost.

Ph 1800 641 064.

Perisher, NSW
SAVE up to 30 per cent on a Perisher snow holiday if you book online before May 31 for the upcoming season. Savings on products including lift tickets, lift and lesson packages, Skitube travel, Perisher and Smiggins Kids programs as well as ski and snowboard hire. Savings percentages will vary depending on time of season.

See www.perisher.com.au

Perisher, NSW
STAY five nights for the price of four if you book midweek accommodation at several Perisher properties before March 15. Prices start at $599 per adult and $397 for children at The Station Resort in Jindabyne. Price includes a 5.5-day lift ticket. Valid for stays Sunday to Thursday only between July 1 and August 23.

See www.perisher.com.au

 
NEW ZEALAND

Queenstown

Queenstown
STAY at Queenstown's Heritage Hotel from A$190 per night this season. Rooms are decorated in a European-style with king size beds which can be split into two single beds upon request. Minimum one night's stay. Valid for travel from June 21 until September 3 until sold out.

Ph 1300 130 485, email [e-mail] or see www.travel.com.au

Queenstown
ENJOY a luxury seven-night package including accommodation at the Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa from A$1539 per person, twin share. Price includes accommodation in a Superior Room with a spa bath at the five-star hotel, arrival and departure transfers from Queenstown Airport, a five-day Ski Pass (valid to ski at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables) and return mountain transfers from the Sofitel to the slopes for five days.

Additional options include ski or snowboard rental hire from an extra $37 per person, per day and two-hour ski/snowboard group lessons from $49 per person. Must be booked by May 31 for travel from July 1 until September 30, 2012. Subject to availability and surcharges apply over school holidays and peak periods.

Ph 1300 136 997 or see www.skimax.com.au

Queenstown
CONTIKI has a new seven-day Ultimate NZ Ski trip from A$1099 per person, twin share (excluding flights). Travellers will be able to carve up three fields - The Remarkables, Coronet Peak and Cardrona and take a day off to try adventure activities such as bungy jumping, skydiving or rafting.  Price includes six nights accommodation in Queenstown, many meals, the services of an expert Contiki ski rep, a four-day ski lift pass and transfers. Ski and snowboard hire is not included. Departures from June to September and valid until sold out.

See www.contiki.com.au or visit your local travel agent to book.

Mt Hutt
SPEND five nights at Forest Lodge at Methven from A$400, twin share. Price includes accommodation in a standard room (shared bathroom facilities) with continental breakfast and two adult three-day lift passes valid for skiing and riding at Mt Hutt. Valid from June 9 until October 1, 2012. Maximum of two people.

See www.newzealandski.co.nz/new-zealand/ski-packages-deals

Mt Hutt
A FAMILY of five can enjoy five nights at Breckenridge Lodge from A$1460. Price is based on two adults and three children and includes accommodation in a family ensuite room (one double bed with a separate children's room), continental breakfast daily, three adult day passes for each adult and three youth day passes for each child (aged 11 to 17). Valid from June 9 until October 1, 2012. Maximum of 5 people.

See www.newzealandski.co.nz/new-zealand/ski-packages-deals

Wanaka
HAVE a luxurious holiday at the lakefront Edgewater Resort near Wanaka from A$530 per person, twin share. The resort has an award-winning restaurant, spa, pools and a bar and is 15 minutes walk or five minutes drive from town. Package includes accommodation in a Hotel Studio room and a three-day OnePassNZ lift pass, redeemable at eight of the South Island'sski areas. Subject to availability.  Valid from June 22 until October 1.

See www.newzealandski.co.nz/new-zealand/ski-packages-deals

Wanaka
ENJOY five nights at BASE Backpackers in Wanaka from A$365 per person, twin share. The five-star Qualmark rated hostel has modern double rooms in Twin or Super king beds, ensuite bathrooms with toilet and shower, flat screen TVs, wireless internet (surcharge applies), security swipe cards and central heating. Price includes a three-day OnepassNZ lift pass, redeemable at eight of the South Island's ski areas. Subject to availability. Valid from June 22 until October 1.

See www.newzealandski.co.nz/new-zealand/ski-packages-deals

Lake Tekapo
BOOK a three night stay at Peppers Bluewater Resort near Lake Tekapo on New Zealand's South Island and pay for only two. Priced from A$335 per night in a one -bedroom Mountain View Villa. Minimum three-night stay applies. Valid until September 30, 2012. Terms and conditions apply. Block out dates apply.

Ph [phone] or see www.peppers.co.nz/bluewater