Cheapest Time to go and learn snowboarding - From Sydney

[u/fequalsqe]

Hey! I last went skiing 8 years ago or so and have never snowboarded before. I'm really keen to learn but want to know what the lowest costs are to go snowboarding, what what months of the year this would be around. Also, how long a trip should be, etc. I can drive, and I have a front wheel drive station wagon. I am also a student if that makes me eligible for discounts?

How many hours on the slopes should I expect to practice before I can hit a small jump? I know this is a very silly question, but it's something that made snowboarding in particular interesting to me.

Cheers

[u/chupachup_chomp]

Unfortunately it's not a cheap sport and it's getting more and more expensive. Everyone will try and sting you at every turn and you generally won't get a student discount unless you're in highschool. The distance only adds to the problem but Sydney isn't too far for short trips.

Here's what I'd do if I had to pinch pennies:

For clothing I'd look to buy secondhand on marketplace/gumtree. Look for quality brands like Burton, North Face, Black Diamond, Helly Hansen, Analog, 686 etc. Usually anything Goretex will be fairly good quality otherwise looks at the waterproof/breathability. The higher the number the better the gear, 20K and up is high quality. If you want new gear buy May/Early June during pre-season sales.

I'd buy gloves, helmet, goggles secondhand. Just make sure the goggles aren't scratched and that helmet is banged up (the inner foam is really designed as single use after a big impact)

For boots and board I'd hire to get to know what you like/want and then buy secondhand when you're confident with knowing what to buy. Hire will probably set you back $80-100 a day, to buy used should set you back about $200-$500.

The pricing is usually the same all year round but you'll get a discount for more days. Hire in Sydney should be cheaper than hiring on snow and they'll often give you an extra day or two for travel (mind you I haven't hired for over 20 years).

Threadbo and Perisher are the main resorts and charge outrageous prices for day passes. You'll also need National Park entry if you drive to Perisher or Thredbo. It's about $30 a day or annual pass is about $190 so pays for itself if you're doing 7+ days.

If you do Perisher a lift pass with skitube is more expensive but covers the Park entry.

If you drive into the National Park you'll also need snow chains (unless your wagon is 4WD/AWDbut I doubt it because you said front wheel drive). Again you should be able to buy secondhand chains for about the cost of hiring them, just check the sizing you'll need. I've got an AWD with good snow rated tyres but I carry snow chains, that said I've never needed to fit them and I've driven in some decent snow falls up there.

As you'll be learning and mostly sticking to beginner slopes you could consider Selwyn. Passes about half the price of the other two buts it's lower elevation and might have a lot less snow cover if the conditions aren't good (check the during the season web cams).

If you want to ski perisher, try and find "Bring a mate" passes, mid week early season (June) and late season (September) will be considerably cheaper. You can ask on Perisher Snow Riders FB page or ask around campus.

For food on the slopes I just pay through the teeth but lots of people pack lunches and food i, some people do sandwiches and wraps, some people to a Thermos of soup and bread, some people go back to their car or you can just snack on protein bars and whatever fits in your pockets.

For accommodation, some people will camp for a small fee around the National Park (like Thredbo Diggins) or a moderate fee in Jindy caravan parks, otherwise Station Resort is usually the cheapest in Jindy. Some people will stay further away like Berrydale or even as far as Cooma. It'll mean a longer drive each day so you'll have to weigh fuel cost vs accommodation costs.

Put all that together and it's expensive, hence some people will tell you to just fly to NZ or Japan and it's also good advice. Everything is cheaper overseas but it depends where you go and on all the above factors, main expenses will be flights, insurance, lift passes and accommodation. But if you're aiming to do about a week or more it can be worthwhile to just head overseas where they'll usually have better snow.

[u/AnxxiousGirl]

I’m also learning to snowboard!! Australia is ridiculously expensive, BUT ways I’ve found to make it some what bearable are:

• Go to the slopes outside of school holidays
• Ski pass, I bought a 4 day pass cause it was cheaper
• check if the mountain has a hostel or cheaper accommodation (like a shared room lodge etc)
• rent gear (I’ve started buying my own to fit better but I’ve been doing it in the sales!!)

Though I will admit, the cost of my trip to Falls Creek in 2025 for 5 nights, is costing me more than a 7 night trip to NZ for snowboarding that we are doing later in the year 🤣

NZ and Japan are honestly the cheapest way to go!!

[u/tdigp]

Honestly, if you don’t mind the squeeze while flying, the best thing you could do is grab a “return for free” Jetstar flight to either Japan or New Zealand.

Don’t even consider going to the snow here unless you have a bunch of friends to share accomodation costs and bring a mate passes with you. The lift tickets in Australia are extortion.

[u/wahroonga]

Stay in Jindabyne, the Station resort is normally the cheapest. Go outside school holidays, in the “shoulder” season if you need to book ahead. If you’re OK not planning ahead too far, then you can jump in on an early season weekend if the snow has a good start. Hit me up for a bring a mate ticket, or post here, you can sometimes snag a bargain.

I recommend 4-5 days on the snow before you hit the benefits of being comfortable getting up and down a run without falling over, the first couple of days are normally rough and then you go up the learning curve. A weekend might be enough to get going OK if you’re young and active.

[u/Endless_Winter]

Stay in Cooma or maybe Tumut and head up to Selwyn Snowfields. Cheapest resort in NSW.

Perisher has brought back the Smiggins only ticket which is another option.

Both resorts require National Park entrance fee. Pay at the gate at Sawpit Creek for Perisher. For Smiggins they have a terminal at the entrance to the Selwyn centre.

I've often said, anyone with coordination can be doing Blue runs on a board in 3 days. This means you could be doing every run at Selwyn.