No-brainer ways to save on an Australian ski trip
As ski season peaks in July-August, it's an appropriate time to share my No.1 piece of advice for ski and snowboard travel. That is, if you're walking up to the lift ticket window in the morning to buy a lift pass for the same day, something has gone seriously wrong with your planning.
It's as crazy as rocking up to the airport without a flight ticket. Expect to cough up double what you could have paid if you planned and booked in advance.
Here's how it looks: you'll fork out more than $250 for a single day of skiing at the major Australian resorts if you buy on the day. Drop that under $230 if you book your single-day ticket more than a week out. Then consider skiing multiple days for better value – the per-day price drops to $170-$190 if you buy a five-day lift pass. Avoid weekends – you'll not only find the resorts far less crowded, but you'll also find the cheapest passes Monday-Friday.
Shoulder season in September offers longer days of sunshine and usually more than enough snow coverage, at discounted rates. A five-day pass to Perisher from September 9-13 is $743 (correct at the time of writing), compared to $957 in mid-August. Five days across the same period at Hotham or Falls Creek is $673, at Thredbo is $565, and at Mt Buller is $504.
Accommodation is always cheaper in September, too. Look for the 'Kids stay free' deals on Mt Buller's website accommodation search, to get two kids under 15 for free when staying with two sharing adults. The Station at Perisher has a ' Pay 4, Stay 5 ' offer when booking Sunday to Friday in motel rooms.
Dig around online for ski lodges that open their doors to the public. Those include Corroboree Lodge and Eiger Chalet in Perisher, Attunga or Candlelight in Thredbo, Ajax Ski Club in Mt Buller and Gravbrot in Hotham. You can become an annual member at Boonoona Ski Lodge in Perisher simply by buying a $70 'gold' membership at City Tattersalls Club in Sydney.
Smaller resorts can be great value for first-timers or those simply avoiding crowds. Charlotte Pass offers a 'daytripper' pass with a full day lift ticket, return oversnow transport to the Ski Tube at Perisher, and hot lunch, for just $164 for adults. This drops to $82 on Thursdays. On '2 buck Tuesdays' you can get a second lift pass for just $2 when buying one full-priced ticket.
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Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. It's rare to be able to check in and join a cruise halfway through its itinerary but that's precisely what I did. It's a point of difference for Travelmarvel, the sister brand to Australian-owned APT. If a cabin is available, anything is possible. This flexibility is a hallmark of the brand, and echoes throughout the ship's laid-back program. There's a modern but relaxed feel to the interiors, food and service, which suits Australian guests, and the pricing is competitive, catering to travellers who may not need all the bells, whistles and pricey all-inclusive drinks packages. Top tips for your first time on a cruise ship Video Player is loading. Play Video This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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We asked experienced cruisers at... more ... more Set the scene We embarked on the Travelmarvel Capella in Melk, Austria, for the final leg of its river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. While Australian guests will usually complete the full 15-day European Gems itinerary along the Rhine-Main-Danube route, European-based travellers are more likely to choose to sail for one week. This leaves a handful of free cabins for a colleague and I to join the fun. The company has four ships sailing Europe's most popular course, and Capella's cruise director Hedleigh Emberson knows the itinerary well. He's been sailing this circuit for years, and rallies the troops each day for shore excursions with good humour and infectious energy. We embarked on the Travelmarvel Capella in Melk, Austria, for the final leg of its river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. Picture: Supplied. The itinerary While Capella's 15-day itinerary traverses the Netherlands, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, I'm only on board for four nights, covering Melk and Vienna in Austria, Bratislava in Slovakia, and Budapest in Hungary. It's a hit a minute – each day we arrive at a fascinating European city, and the diverse experiences make it clear why many travellers repeat this route. In Melk, we explore its Baroque hilltop abbey, and enjoy the cobblestone streets lined with local distillers. By afternoon, we've reached the idyllic village of Dürnstein. By afternoon, we've reached the idyllic village of Dürnstein for a wander and wine tasting at Weingut Böhmer. The region is known for its grüner veltliner and we settle in for the afternoon at a quirky bar tucked into the city's medieval gate. A full day spent in opulent Vienna passes quickly, touring manicured parks, historical Habsburg palaces and monuments (including many devoted to the Empress Sisi), shopping, and sampling ale and schnitzel at the popular Reinthaler's Beisl. Bratislava in Slovakia is immaculate and affordable, with its historic Old Town a stone's throw from the ship. Our last stop is the highlight, with two days in Budapest, where the finale is a jovial dinner and an evening cruise along the Danube with the magnificent Budapest landmarks alight. I was lucky to score an Owner's suite. It was very spacious, with a generous seating area. Picture: Rob Nijhuis/Supplied. The cabins There are 89 cabins catering to a maximum of 178 passengers and 44 crew, and three categories of rooms. Entry level starts at a Window Stateroom up to a French-style Balcony Suite (with floor-to-ceiling windows, which open), and an Owner's Suite, which I was lucky to score. 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Food and drink The main dining room, Constellations Restaurant, serves good, crowd-pleasing food, and the comfortable McGeary's Bar (named after the company's founding family) at the rear of the ship, has a more casual pub-style menu. The True North Lounge is an additional bar area for relaxing or evening entertainment. Travelmarvel suits travellers who don't want the expense of an all-inclusive drinks package and prefer to pay as they go. The True North Lounge is an additional bar area for relaxing or evening entertainment. Picture: Rob Nijhuis/Supplied. What's hot Cruise director Hedleigh's sense of humour. 'You'll find me on the mezzanine,' he winks at me, gesturing to his desk upstairs with a cheeky nod to Kath and Kim (who mispronounce it as mezza-noyne). What's not Dark wood panelling within the interiors is polished and cosy but can make spaces feel dark if the weather is overcast. The service was efficient and friendly and the tours of a high standard. Picture: Supplied. 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