Your guide to a budget-friendly snow holiday

There’s just something magical about trips to the snow. For some of us, they’re a chance to get the blood pumping on the slopes. Others prefer to pull up next to the fire with a hot chocolate in hand... or finally build that snowman of your childhood dreams.Luckily, Australia is blessed with some excellent snow spots offering the full winter wonderland experience. And while ski trips may have a reputation for being pricey, with the right planning they don’t have to break the bank. Here’s your guide to the perfect budget-friendly snow holiday.Sleep cheapThe first step to nailing an affordable ski holiday is finding the right spot to stay. You’ll want to bypass those luxury on-site chalets, instead looking for accommodation just outside the big parks.Coming from NSW? Jindabyne is located just 30 minutes outside of Thredbo and Perisher and has a range of more affordable accommodation options. At Discovery Parks, for instance, you could nab a two night July stay in a family-sized cabin for under $1000. (Bonus: their cabins are equipped with fireplaces, making them the perfect place to get cosy after a big day on the slopes.)If you’re in Victoria, look into staying at Discovery Parks Bright. Located on the banks of the Ovens Rivers and with picturesque views of Mount Feathertop, the park is wonderfully serene – and just an hour from the popular ski resorts of Mount Hotham and Falls Creek.Nearby Mount Buffalo is another great base to explore the Victorian Alps. Accommodation at Discovery Parks includes spacious cabins large enough to sleep 6, each with private balconies for a little winter stargazing. Bright is just a 10-minute drive away and the slopes at Falls Creek and Mount Hotham can easily be reached every day.Eat rightA bonus of booking a cabin with its own kitchen like those at Discovery Parks is that you can prepare your own meals and avoid those overpriced, jam-packed restaurants – saving a pretty penny.Still want to go out for dinner? Even just packing sandwiches so you don’t have to buy lunch on site could easily save you $100 a day for a family of four.Book earlyWhen it comes to ski holiday deals, the early bird gets the worm. To nab the best prices, now’s the time to book your trip for the 2025 ski season. The earlier you book, the wider the range of accommodation you’ll get to choose from, and the cheaper the rates.Booking your passes early will save you too – at Thredbo, for instance, you can save 35% on lift passes if you purchase your passes even two weeks in advance. And if you’re planning on skiing for a week or more, you may find that a season pass works out cheaper than single or multi-day passes. Season passes tend to go on sale a few months before ski season starts, so be ready to pounce as soon as they drop.Dodge the crowdsYou can also save money by getting savvy about when you hit the snow.July and August are the busiest months on the slopes – but late June and early September are still skiable and often a fair bit cheaper. Or go midweek instead of on the weekends, when prices are lower and the crowds a bit thinner.Some ski fields also offer cheaper ticket options, like half-day passes – which can be better if you’re travelling with little ones who probably wouldn’t last the full day, anyway. And retiring a little early to go home and make snow angels is cost-savvy – and, well, totally priceless.To learn more visit discoveryholidayparks.com.au/