Hey peoples,
I'm in Brisbane and want to take the kids to the snow. We have to be in Burrawang, NSW (about an hour southwest of Wollongong)in a few weeks so that will be the best opportunity we will have in the forseeable future.
The web is full of "ski and stay" packages at ski resorts but we won't be skiing and it seems like there are all sorts of fees for stuff we don't need.
Really, what i want is:
- a place where little kids (3 and 6) can make snowmen, throw snow at each other, etc
- isn't set up just for skiers
- doesn't cost a lot just to get to (park entry fees, snow train fees, tyre chains, etc)
- preferably we can drive there
- is as close as possible (within 6 hours drive) to Burrawang
- ideally we would like to stay 2 nights somewhere that was somewhat likely to get snow there, and if not is close enough to some where we can go for just a couple of hours.
- hopefully, it would be a nice spot to hang out even without snow.
Also, given the minimal use their going to get any recommendations on cheap snow gear? What do we need and what can we get by without?
All ideas appreciated.
Thanks.
I am from Victoria so dont know the area around Woolongong at all. Most of the big ski resorts are setup for folks buying lift tickets and skiing/boarding, this is where they make their money. You will probably find things to be cheaper and less crowded at a Cross Country resort like Mt Selwyn (I think that's the place in NSW).
Most of the ski resorts will have snow play/toboggan areas away from the main ski runs. If there is enough snow there is no problem making snow angels and throwing snowballs etc. Hiring a little plastic toboggan is pretty cheap I think (havent done it for years).
If you arent skiing you can avoid many of the most expensive parts of a trip including lift tickets etc (to use the chairlifts). The main resorets in the Alpine national park charge a mountain entry fee and in victoria you need to have snowchains to drive in there (even if there is no snow on the ground). You can hire these but I don't know the law in NSW.
Accommodation will be cheapest in the town at the base of the mountain. The resorts have 'on snow' accommodation but it is more expensive. If you want to stay on snow I recommend looking for a good 'club lodge' instead of a commercial hotel etc. It will be heaps cheaper just make sure you find one that is kid friendly and not one full of partying 18 yo's. I am a member of one in Victoria and we charge about $80 a night for adults and $40 a night for kids. Cooking facilities and lounge room etc are communal so you can take your own food and drink and not have to eat out at expensive restaurants every night.
The kids will obviously need decent waterproof stuff. I bought my kids the Aldi stuff when they were small. My kids are older now and insist on being cool snowboarders so they have to spend loads on stuff that is expensively made to look like it came straight from the Op shop, then they wear it at 1/2 mast exposing their undies and skin to the snow anyway…go figure!!!
If your kids are rolling around in the snow and throwing snowballs I would get them jackets, pants and gloves. A beanie will probably do for their heads if they arent skiing/boarding (otherwise I would say rent a helmet).
What can you get by without? The ridiculous 'snow boots' sold everywhere. Seriously I have skied all over the world and some of the most hard core backcountry skiers I have met wander around the resort in jeans and skate shoes! If it is massively dumping snow chances are you wont be out with the little kids anyway, you'll be inside next to a fire somewhere.
Something that I would strongly recommend it is decent gloves. I remember my 12 you son when he was 5 at the snow, we had bought him some cheap gloves and they soaked through inside 20 mins of him scrambling about on the snow and throwing snowballs. He was in tears in pain with frozen hands and we ended up racing him back to somewhere warm and the Mrs wouldn't let him go out again for the rest of the day with his little frozen hands. Dont even think about woolen or cotton gloves. Get something with a Gore Tex or Hipora insert. Buy them somewhere before you get to the snow as the most expensive place ever is at the snow itself. You should be able to get something OK in Anaconda/Rebel/AMart etc. If you want a great mail order deal have a look at www.levelninesports.com on the web.
For yourself if you arent planning on sitting down in the snow, jeans, gloves, jacket and a beanie will do. if you have outdoor type shoes that are at least water resistant these will do as well. Snow probably wont be deep enough at the play area to be higher than the top of your shoes, most likely you will need a good sole to avoid slipping on any ice!