New South Wales - Australia 2004 - page 219

an easy-grade pathway which leads to the top of Mt. Kosciuszko, which at
2,228m (7,308 ft.) is Australia's highest peak. The mountain has stunning views
of the alpine region and some good walks.
SNOWY MOUNTAIN ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE From Sydney, take the Eastern Distributor road towards
Sydney Airport and turn right just before the planes, following the signs to Wol-
longong and then Canberra, via the M5 motorway and the Hume Highway.
Follow the Hume Highway south to Goulburn, where you turn onto the Fed-
eral Highway toward Canberra. From there take the Monaro Highway to
Cooma, then follow the Alpine Way through Jindabyne and on to Thredbo.
Chains may have to be used on the slopes in winter and can be rented from local
service stations. The trip takes around 6 hours from Sydney with short breaks.
Qantas ( & 13 13 13 in Australia) has daily flights from Sydney to Cooma.
A connecting bus to the ski fields takes about 1 hour and is available June
through October. It's run by Snowy Mountain Hire Cars ( & 02/6456 2957 )
and costs A$48 (US$31) one-way.
In winter only (from around June 19-Oct 5), Greyhound Pioneer ( & 13 20
30 in Australia) operates daily buses between Sydney and Cooma, via Canberra.
The journey takes around 7 hours from Sydney and 3 hours from Canberra. A
one-way ticket costs A$50 (US$33).
VISITOR INFORMATION Pick up information about the ski fields and
accommodations options either at the Cooma Visitors Centre, 119 Sharp St.,
Cooma, NSW 2630 ( & 02/6450 1740; fax [phone]), or at the Snowy
Region Visitor Centre, Kosciuszko Rd., Jindabyne, NSW 2627 ( & 02/6450
5600; fax [phone]; [e-mail]).
HITTING THE SLOPES & OTHER ADVENTURES
Obviously, skiing is the most popular activity here. More than 50 ski lifts serve
the fields of Perisher Valley, Mt. Blue Cow, Smiggins Holes, and Guthega. Per-
isher Valley offers the best overall slopes; Mt. Blue Cow is generally very crowded;
Smiggins Holes offer good slopes for beginners; and Guthega has nice light, pow-
dery snow and is less crowded. Thredbo has some very challenging runs and the
longest downhill runs, but I still prefer Perisher for atmosphere. A day's ski pass
costs around A$77 (US$50) for adults, and A$42 (US$27) for children.
A ski-tube train midway between Jindabyne and Thredbo on the Alpine Way
travels through the mountains to Perisher Valley and then to Blue Cow. It costs
A$15 (US$9.75) a day for adult skiers and A$9 (US$5.85) for child skiers; A$30
(US$20) for non-skiing adults and A$17 (US$11) for non-skiing children.
Prices are cheaper in summer. Ski gear can be rented at numerous places in Jind-
abyne and Thredbo.
In summer, the region is popular for hiking, canoeing, fishing, and golf.
Thredbo Village has tennis courts, a nine-hole golf course, and mountain-bike
trails.

Ski Condition Updates
For up-to-date ski field information call the Snowy Region Visitor Centre
( & 02/6450 5600 ).

Tips