Perisher Valley sits at 1,720 metres above sea level, and that height shapes every family decision: what the kids wear, when you come and how you get in. A Perisher Valley holiday with kids is mostly a winter story, though the village stays open for tours and bush walks all year.
The valley is one of four bases of the Perisher Ski Resort, in Kosciuszko National Park between Jindabyne and Charlotte Pass. Below we cover what children can do, what the weather does, how to arrive and where families can stay.
Why families choose Perisher Valley
Perisher is the largest ski resort in Australia. Its four bases, Perisher Valley, Blue Cow, Smiggin Holes and Guthega, share a skiable area of 1,245 hectares served by 45 lifts. That spread suits families, because beginners and confident skiers can each find terrain that fits, from gentle learner slopes through to hard black runs.
The village is small. At the 2021 census Perisher Valley had 99 residents, but in winter guests lift the population to around 2,500. Expect it to feel busy in the ski season and very quiet outside it.
For the wider resort, see our Perisher destination guide, or our page on the village of Perisher Valley.
Snow play and children's programs
Kids' clubs and day care
Past descriptions of the resort mention a day care centre for babies through to toddlers, a Junior Ski Kids Club for ages three to six, and an Explorers Kids Club for children aged six to fourteen. Programs and age bands change from season to season, so confirm them with the resort before you book.
Beyond skiing
Not every child wants skis on. Snowboarding, snow tubing, tobogganing and snowshoe tours are all listed for the area, and there is a mini pipe and mini terrain park pitched at younger riders. Night skiing has also been offered. Our Perisher Valley skiing page and the wider Perisher Valley activities list go further.
Snow is reliable by Australian standards. It falls on about 60 days a year on average, and the average maximum depth across the resort over the 15 years to 2012 was about 1.9 metres. The natural snow line sits around 1,650 metres. Winter nights average about minus 3.7 degrees, so plan layers for small children.
Perisher Valley in summer
Summer is the quieter season, and it suits families who prefer walking to queuing. Bushwalking, rock climbing, mountain biking and guided tours are the activities most often mentioned for warmer months. Wildflowers are said to blanket the ground in spring.
History gives the walks some colour. Aboriginal people gathered in the High Country in summer for the bogong moth, a practice that continued until around 1865. Cattle graziers later left mountain huts scattered across the area, and Banjo Paterson's poem The Man From Snowy River recalls that era. Kids who like a story may enjoy hearing that one tale credits the settler James Spencer with muttering 'What a perisher' in a storm, giving the area its name, though the story may be apocryphal.
Down the road, Lake Jindabyne is known for swimming, boating, kayaking, canoeing and fishing. We would check the current transport options before planning a day around it, as the Skitube Alpine Railway runs from Bullocks Flat on the Alpine Way to Perisher Valley and Blue Cow.
Weather and what to pack
Perisher has cool summers and cold winters. The figures below are monthly averages for the Perisher area, about 1 km from the village, for 1991 to 2020.
| Month | Max (C) | Min (C) | Rain (mm) | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25.7 | 11.7 | 72.7 | 10.0 |
| February | 24.9 | 11.3 | 72.0 | 9.7 |
| March | 21.7 | 9.1 | 66.7 | 8.4 |
| April | 16.6 | 5.8 | 54.0 | 8.2 |
| May | 11.8 | 3.2 | 58.2 | 9.4 |
| June | 8.2 | 1.4 | 84.0 | 12.6 |
| July | 7.2 | 0.5 | 70.5 | 13.4 |
| August | 8.3 | 0.6 | 78.7 | 13.1 |
| September | 11.7 | 2.3 | 77.1 | 12.4 |
| October | 15.5 | 4.3 | 83.1 | 12.2 |
| November | 18.9 | 7.0 | 93.1 | 12.2 |
| December | 22.3 | 9.2 | 81.7 | 10.0 |
July is the coldest month, with an average maximum of 7.2 degrees and a minimum of 0.5. Even January nights fall to about 12 degrees. We reckon a warm layer belongs in the bag in every month.
Getting there with children
Access is by the Skitube Alpine Railway or by road along Kosciuszko Road. The Skitube is a Swiss-designed railway that opened in 1987, and it saves many families the stress of winter driving. Our Perisher Valley getting there page covers the options.
Where to stay and eat
Perisher Valley accommodation is mostly self-contained apartments, lodges and holiday units, and year-round rooms are available. Start with our Perisher Valley accommodation overview, then look at Perisher Valley apartments, which suit families who want a kitchen. Lodges are on the ski lodges page.
Budget-minded families sometimes base themselves in Jindabyne. Discovery Parks - Jindabyne offers powered sites and cabins, and you should contact the park for current rates; see its Discovery Parks Jindabyne listing. For meals, try our Perisher Valley dining page.
Since 2009 the village has also hosted the Snowy Mountains of Music Festival, a folk festival held on the Queen's Birthday Weekend, which marks the official start of the ski season. For wider trip planning, try Visit NSW, the official state tourism site, and for more background on the valley there is a reference page on Perisher Valley.
Frequently asked questions
Is Perisher Valley only for winter holidays?
It is mainly a winter resort village, but year-round accommodation, tours and bush walks are available.
How cold does it get for children?
Winter nights average about minus 3.7 degrees, and July daytime highs average 7.2 degrees, so warm layers are needed.
Can kids who do not ski still have fun?
Yes. Snow tubing, tobogganing and snowshoe tours are listed alongside a mini terrain park, and kids' clubs have run for various age groups.
