Skiing Ben Lomond National Park

When you are thinking about a ski vacation, Tasmania isn’t the usual destination that comes to mind. Whether you are a downhill or cross-country skier, skiing in Tasmania is a great experience so put it on your winter vacation list.

If you don’t mind that there are few ski resorts, that hills aren’t jammed with skiers, or that you may be skiing on pristine snow; Tasmania is the place to go. There are few areas for downhill skiing in this Australian state and the scenery is stunning. The combination makes for a very memorable vacation.

With most of Tasmania designated as national parks, it is no surprise that the skiing in within parks. Ben Lomond National Park, Mt Field National Park, and Cradle Mountain offer some of the best skiing opportunities. In Tasmania, the ski season is July to September so you can enjoy a great winter vacation in the middle of the summer if you are visiting from the west. So that the terminology doesn’t confuse you, locals refer to ski slopes as ski fields.

With its spectacular scenery, the major downhill skiing destination in this magnificent island state is located in Ben Lomond National Park. This is the only ski resort that offers the amenities that most of us are used to when we head out for a day of downhill skiing. In addition to 2 Poma lifts and 3 T-bar lifts, there are equipment rentals and sales, as well as Ski instruction available during ski season. There is a restaurant and a few rooms to rent at the Creek Inn and there are some amenities in Alpine Village at the bottom of the slopes.

The road known as Jacob’s Ladder is a steep winding road that has a strict 30km/hr speed limit. Although the road has been upgraded, it is still advisable to drive it with caution. Wheel chains will be needed during the winter. A booth at the bottom of Jacob’s Ladder is where you pay your park fees.

Although skiing is the park’s primary attraction, there is a lot to see if you want to cross country ski. The cross-country skiing trails are not formal trails and are marked with ski poles. The rugged beauty of this park will take your breath away and cross-country skiing is a leisurely way to see the sights.