kids encyclopedia robot

List of ski areas and resorts in Oceania facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Oceania has some cool places where you can go skiing and snowboarding! Even though it's known for its sunny beaches, you can find snowy mountains in countries like Australia and New Zealand. These places offer fun slopes for everyone, from beginners to expert skiers.

Australia

Australia has several popular ski areas, mostly in its southeastern states. Many of these resorts are in the Great Dividing Range, which is a long mountain chain.

Australian Capital Territory

  • Corin Forest: This is a smaller, family-friendly ski area close to Australia's capital city, Canberra. It's a great spot for learning to ski or just playing in the snow.

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

These are very remote, icy islands in the southern Indian Ocean. They are home to tall, snow-covered volcanoes.

  • Big Ben (Heard Island): This is an active volcano and the highest point on Heard Island. It's covered in ice and snow.
  • Mount Drygalski: Another snowy peak on Heard Island.

New South Wales

New South Wales is home to some of Australia's biggest and best-known ski resorts.

  • Charlotte Pass: This resort is known for its deep snow and is only accessible by snowcat in winter. It's a classic Australian ski experience.
  • Perisher: This is the largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere! It's actually made up of four different areas connected by lifts:
  • Selwyn Snowfields: A smaller, friendly resort that's perfect for families and beginners. It's known for its gentle slopes.
  • Thredbo: This resort is famous for having Australia's longest ski runs and a lively village. It's near Mt. Kosciusko, Australia's highest mountain.

Tasmania

Tasmania, an island state off Australia's south coast, also has a few spots for skiing.

  • Ben Lomond: This is Tasmania's main ski resort, offering a unique alpine experience.
  • Mount Mawson: A smaller, community-run ski area in the south of Tasmania.
  • Mount Wellington, Hobart: While not a full ski resort, this mountain near Hobart sometimes gets enough snow for people to play in.

Victoria

Victoria has many popular ski resorts, especially in its northeastern alpine region.

  • Falls Creek: This resort is known for its ski-in/ski-out village, meaning you can ski right from your accommodation!
  • Lake Mountain: A popular spot for cross-country skiing and snow play, close to Melbourne.
  • Mount Baw Baw: This is the closest downhill ski resort to Melbourne, making it easy to visit for a day trip.
  • Mount Buffalo: Offers beautiful scenery and some cross-country skiing trails.
  • Mount Buller: A very popular resort with a wide range of runs and a busy village.
  • Mount Hotham: Known as the "Powder Capital" of Australia, it often gets lots of fresh snow.
    • Dinner Plain: A charming alpine village near Mount Hotham, offering cross-country trails.
  • Mount St Gwinear: Another great spot for cross-country skiing and snow play.
  • Mount Stirling: Popular for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, with beautiful natural trails.

Indonesia

While mostly tropical, Indonesia has one very unique place where you can find snow and glaciers.

Papua

  • Maoke Mountains: In the high peaks of these mountains, you can find glaciers, which are huge, ancient rivers of ice.
    • Carstensz Glacier: One of the few remaining glaciers in tropical areas. It's shrinking due to climate change.
    • Ngga Pulu: Another glacier in the Maoke Mountains.

New Zealand

New Zealand is famous for its stunning mountains and fantastic ski resorts, especially on the South Island. Many ski areas here are called "club fields," which are smaller, more rustic, and often run by ski clubs.

North Island

The North Island has several ski areas, mostly on its volcanic mountains.

  • Manganui (club skifield): A smaller, friendly club field on Mount Taranaki.
  • Tukino (club skifield): Located on the eastern slopes of Mount Ruapehu, offering a unique club field experience.
  • Turoa: One of the largest ski resorts on the North Island, located on Mount Ruapehu, an active volcano.
  • Whakapapa: Also on Mount Ruapehu, this is New Zealand's largest ski area, offering diverse terrain.

South Island

The South Island is a major destination for skiing and snowboarding, with many large resorts and unique club fields.

  • Awakino (club skifield): A small, friendly club field in the Canterbury region.
  • Craigieburn Range: This area is famous for its challenging club fields, often without chairlifts, using rope tows instead.
  • Fox Peak (club skifield): A high-altitude club field known for its great snow.
  • Hanmer Springs Ski Area (club skifield): Located near the popular Hanmer Springs thermal pools.
  • Invincible Snowfields (helicopter access only): For adventurous skiers, this area can only be reached by helicopter.
  • Mount Dobson: A family-friendly resort with wide-open slopes.
  • Mount Hutt: A large, well-known resort with a long season and great views.
  • Mount Lyford: A smaller, friendly resort perfect for families.
  • Mount Potts (heliskiing and snowcatting only): Offers incredible off-piste skiing accessed by helicopter or snowcat.
  • Ōhau: A hidden gem with stunning lake views and uncrowded slopes.
  • Porters Ski Area: One of the closest ski fields to Christchurch, offering varied terrain.
  • Around Queenstown: This adventure capital is surrounded by world-class ski resorts.
    • Coronet Peak: Known for its groomed trails and night skiing.
    • The Remarkables: Offers amazing views and a wide range of terrain, including great parks.
  • Rainbow: A friendly resort in the Nelson Lakes National Park.
  • Roundhill: Famous for its incredibly long beginner run and stunning views of Lake Tekapo.
  • Tasman Glacier (Heliski): Experience skiing on New Zealand's longest glacier, accessed by helicopter.
  • Temple Basin (club skifield): A classic club field known for its challenging terrain and unique atmosphere.
  • Around Wānaka: Another popular town surrounded by excellent ski areas.
    • Cardrona Alpine Resort: A very popular resort known for its excellent terrain parks and family-friendly atmosphere.
    • Snow Farm (cross-country skiing only): New Zealand's only dedicated cross-country ski area.
    • Treble Cone: Famous for its long, uncrowded runs and incredible views of Lake Wānaka.

United States

Even though most of the US is not in Oceania, one of its states is!

Hawaii

  • Mauna Kea: This huge volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii sometimes gets enough snow on its summit for people to ski or snowboard. It's a very unique experience to ski above the clouds in Hawaii!
kids search engine
List of ski areas and resorts in Oceania Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.