Thredbo kicks off Aussie ski season with snow chic and champagne

AUSTRALIA’S leadings snow resorts officially kicked off their 2016 winter seasons over the long weekend, with some impressive early, well, party conditions.

AUSTRALIA’S leadings snow resorts officially kicked off their 2016 winter seasons over the long weekend, with some impressive early - well - party conditions.

Partygoers in NSW’s Thredbo Resort may have been chilly and didn’t quite have enough snow to get the skis and happening, but many - including snow dynamo Torah Bright (pictured) - got into party mode regardless.

Torah Bright popping off The G.H. Mumm celebrations at the long lunch. Picture: Thredbo Resort

While large parts of Australia’s southeast were shivering through the first days of winter, minimal snow falls and subzero temperatures still enticed residents in parts of Tasmania, Victoria and NSW to various 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 at Thredbo, where I spent 24 hours in an undiscovered treasure: the affordable Thredbo Alpine apartments.

I booked a flight on REX Airlines flight, who have just re-commenced flying into Cooma, which made it a lot easier and less time to get to the snowfields.

REXcellent way to fly.

Boasting plenty of music, parties and celebrations, more than 1500 guests visited Thredbo, including a flock of snow style-meisters who saw a free music gig from Yolanda Be Cool, dancing at the Denman Hotel and opening weekend fireworks on Saturday night.

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 and Snowy the Clown.

Sibling shuttle sled claiming first runs of 2016. Picture: Thredbo Resort

Reports had predicted that a cold front was on the horizon, with temperatures well into the sub zeros during the nights before the long weekend as snow-making teams were kept hard at work, trying to turning Thredbo into a weekend of skiing.

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

Some guests were invited to experience sabrage – the fine art of popping the cork of a champagne bottle via a sword.

In this case the ‘sword’ was a small ski that even this writer made a successful attempt at mastering.

Thredbo has been 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.

When it comes to snow-life, whether you are a grown-up or a kid, this place looks to have all bases covered.

* Melissa Hoyer attempted to resurrect her ski (party) legs as a guest of Thredbo Resort for a night & flew herself to Cooma on Rex Airlines.

Melissa Hoyer:

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