Skiers shun Aussie resorts in search of better snow and bargains

SKIERS and boarders are turning their back on Aussie resorts who've devised a cheeky campaign to win them back.

Coronet

SKIERS and snowboarders are turning their back on Australian resorts and heading overseas for snow holidays instead.

But Australian resorts are fighting back with cheap deals and a cheeky new campaign slogan to encourage learner skiers: "We all remember our first time."

A survey by Roy Morgan Research found 49 per cent of Australians chose an international resort for their last snow trip - up from 34 per cent the previous year.

With tickets at some of Australia's largest resorts costing around $100 a day, the strong dollar has provided a strong incentive to head overseas.

Many holidaymakers have been enticed by package deals to New Zealand, which often work out cheaper than an Australian ski trip.

They are also heading to the US, Canada, Japan and Europe.

Roy Morgan Research international director of tourism, travel and leisure Jane Ianniello said Australian resorts had a difficult task ahead to try to win back skiers and snowboarders.

"Compared to overseas the quality of the snow in Australia is not as good,'' Ms Ianniello said.

Snow Australia CEO Colin Hackworth said Australian resorts were lifting their game and would be offering some great specials in June to encourage novices to learn to ski or snowboard.

It will also launch its "We all remember our first time'' campaign in April.

"The world's a smaller place these days and Australian tourism is facing that battle not just in the snow industry but pretty much everywhere,'' Mr Hackworth said.

"It's up to Snow Australia to make our product every bit as compelling as the overseas offerings.''

Mr Hackworth said you can't go skiing in North America or Japan from June to September and at that time of the year the quality of snow in Australia was as good as anywhere else in the world.

"The snow quality in Australia and New Zealand is around the same and Australia's snow facilities are superior to New Zealand's,'' he said.

"We also have on-snow accommodation.

"Lots of people try New Zealand but a lot don't return.''

In an unprecedented move, nine Australian resorts joined together last spring to offer 1000 beginner ski passes and lessons for just $1 each.

Many also offered earlybird season passes for this season for $699 - the same price as in the 1980s.

The research, conducted in December, also found skiing and snowboarding remain relatively exclusive pastimes, with only 1.4 per cent of Australian holidaymakers choosing this type of trip for their last break.