We get that Australia may not be the first place you think of to have a winter wonderland wedding. But there’s no need to head overseas if you want to elope in the snow.
Australia has a few destinations where it does snow during winter, making your elopement a winter wonderland.
Throw snowballs instead of confetti at any of these places:
Perisher Ski Resort is Australia’s most popular ski area and the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Located in the gorgeous Kosciuszko National Park, the resort spans seven peaks and is home to more than 1,245 skiable hectares.
Perisher is a great mountain getaway with endless options for restaurants, accommodations and entertainment. Perisher has varied terrain suitable for any ability level. The resort is also a great destination for families providing ski school and childcare facilities.
Located in Australia’s Snowy Mountains, the resort is comprised of four villages and their associated ski fields.
Charlotte Pass is Australia’s highest resort and receives consistent natural snowfall. Contained within one large expansive bowl, the snow field has options for beginners and intermediate skiers. The ski area also has a terrain park and a children’s play park.
The ski area has a dedicated beginner’s area and multiple green runs via the Top of the World trail. More adventurous skiers and snowboarders can hike to Guthrie’s Chutes.
Charlotte Pass’ average snowfall is 200”. Source
Selwyn Snowfields is located in the Northern section of Kosciuszko National Park, 7km from Kiandra, Selwyn Snowfields is a family owned and run operation. Closed due to bushfires, Selwyn is due to reopen for the 2023 season. Every aspect of Selwyn is geared towards providing a great family holiday providing everything from downhill, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, tobogganing, and good old fashion snow play. A combined tube and toboggan lift park is designed to cater for younger children on a more gentle slope. Source
Thredbo Alpine Resort is located entirely within the boundaries of Kosciuszko National Park along the Great Dividing Range in New South Wales, Australia. Thredbo is a great access point for those looking to summit Australia’s highest point, Mt. Kosciuszko, via the Kosciuszko Express chairlift.
Thredbo Village contains ski in, ski out accommodations, bars, and restaurants and offers a multitude of year round activities to the outdoors enthusiast. The area is known for being great for mountain bikers, fly-fishing, hiking and golf. Thredbo gets an average snowfall of 210cm. Source
Falls Creek Alpine Resort is located in north eastern Victoria about 350kms from Melbourne. Falls Creek enjoys some of the best snow cover of all the Victorian ski resorts, combined with the ambience of a beautiful pedestrian only Alpine Village.
Falls Creek is set high in the Australian Alps and enjoys great views with consistent snowfall. It is a great resort for families, beginners and intermediates and offers ski in, ski out accommodations.
Night skiing is also available. Falls Creek’s average snowfall is 157 inches. Source
Mt. Baw Baw Alpine Resort is set high in the mountains of Baw Baw National Park and is the closest ski area to Melbourne. The inviting environment is enhanced by the large number of club lodges spread through the gum trees, resulting in a friendly family feel to the whole resort.
The resort has a terrain park for the freestyler and wide open intermediate and beginner trails. Mt. Baw Baw has great natural terrain and some of the best snow in the country. Source
Mt. Buller Ski Resort is the most accessible ski area in Australia and has the largest lift network in Victoria. The resort and alpine village treat spectators to gorgeous mountain scenery and excellent accommodation options. Mt. Buller is about a three hour drive from Melbourne.
The Mt. Buller Village has ski in, ski out accommodations with a wide range of restaurants, bars, and nightlife options. It has an average snowfall of 240cms. Source
Hotham Alpine Resort is located inside the Australian Alpine National Park along the Great Dividing Range in Victoria. Hotham is about 4.5 hours drive from Melbourne or 8 hours from Sydney.
Mt. Hotham Village sits above treeline and has multiple restaurants, lodging, and nightlife options. Visitors can also stay in Dinner Plain; a luxurious alpine village about 10km away.
Mt Hotham has an average snowfall of 300cms. Source
Things to consider with your snow covered elopement
Costs for elopements or small weddings in Winter may be significantly more because if suppliers need to be sourced from other areas, there will be travel involved. Often snow chains are required and these factors need to be taken into consideration. The date of your elopement might need to be flexible in case of inclement weather and your suppliers can’t get through.
Want to run away and elope in the snow, or have your small wedding at an Australian ski resort? Contact us now to find out more.