Perisher is not one village but four, and that shapes every decision about where to sleep. If you are weighing up Perisher hotels, the first question is which village suits your plans, and the second is whether you want to stay on the snow or down the road in Jindabyne.
This page covers the settings the resort is made of, the largest hotels named at Perisher Valley, and the caravan park we list nearby.
The four villages of Perisher
Perisher Ski Resort, known as Perisher Blue until 2009, is the largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere. It brings together four villages and their ski fields: Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Guthega and Blue Cow. Together they cover about 12 square kilometres, with a base elevation of 1,720 metres and a summit of 2,054 metres at the top of Mount Perisher.
The four bases began life as separate ski resorts, developed between 1939 and 1987, and they merged in 1995. That history explains why each village still has its own feel. Our Perisher destination guide gives the wider picture if you are still deciding on the trip itself.
Perisher Valley: the main village
Perisher Valley is the main village of the resort and has the majority of the on-snow accommodation. By 2008 it had 30 interconnecting ski lifts, over 100 ski instructors, extensive snow making and a large village providing winter accommodation.
The largest hotels in Perisher are The Marritz Hotel, The Perisher Manor, The Man from Snowy River and The Eiger Chalet. Check rates and room details with them directly before you plan around one.
The first ski lodges here opened in 1951, and Telemark and the Snow Revellers Club were completed in 1952. If lodges appeal more than hotels, see our page on Perisher ski lodges.
Smiggin Holes, Blue Cow and Guthega
Smiggin Holes
Smiggin Holes operates within the greater resort and provides accommodation and ideal terrain for beginner skiers. That makes it a sensible choice if you are travelling with first-timers.
Blue Cow
Blue Cow was the last resort development in the Snowy Mountains, opening in 1987. Today it includes the Blue Cow Resort Centre at 1,905 metres and the Guthega Ski Centre at 1,640 metres. Its 14 lifts open daily in winter from 8.30am to 5.00pm, weather permitting.
Guthega
Guthega was established in the 1950s alongside Perisher Valley and Smiggin Holes, spurred by better access from the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme. The operators of Blue Cow bought it in 1991.
Browse our Perisher accommodation page for the wider range of stay types.
Staying down the mountain at Jindabyne
Many visitors drive up rather than sleep on the snow. The resort is reached by road from Jindabyne, and Skitube, Australia's only underground rack railway, runs from Bullocks Flat or Blue Cow. Jindabyne is roughly 33 km from the resort.
Our listing here is Discovery Parks - Jindabyne, a caravan park in Jindabyne in the Snowy Monaro Regional Council area. Accommodation includes powered sites and cabins. Contact the park for current rates and availability before booking.
Our view: if you want a campervan or cabin base and do not mind the drive, Jindabyne is the practical option. If you want to step straight to the lifts, stay in the villages. Our Perisher getting there page covers the routes.
Weather to pack for
Perisher is cold for much of the year. July is the coldest month, averaging a maximum of 7.2 C and a minimum of 0.5 C. The main skiing period is July and August, and the official season runs from the second weekend in June to the first weekend of October.
| Month | Max C | Min C | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|
| June | 8.2 | 1.4 | 12.6 |
| July | 7.2 | 0.5 | 13.4 |
| August | 8.3 | 0.6 | 13.1 |
| September | 11.7 | 2.3 | 12.4 |
| January | 25.7 | 11.7 | 10.0 |
If you only want a day trip
You do not have to stay at all. The 1 Day Perisher Snow Tour runs 23h 30m and is listed from $190. For more ideas see Perisher tours and rentals. For state-wide planning, Visit NSW at the official tourism site is a good place to start, and background on the resort is on Wikipedia.
Frequently asked questions
Which village has most of the on-snow accommodation?
Perisher Valley, the main village of the resort.
Is there a caravan park near Perisher?
We list Discovery Parks - Jindabyne, with powered sites and cabins. Contact the park for rates and availability.
When is the ski season?
The official season runs from the second weekend in June to the first weekend of October, with July and August the main skiing period.
