Lets go skiing

Access to Kosciuszko National Park is easiest by private car. There are also regular flights from Sydney to Cooma Airport with connections to Perisher and Thredbo. Scheduled coach services operate from Sydney via Canberra to Perisher and Thredbo.

From Victoria drivers will enter the area via Khancoban and the Alpine Way while NSW drivers can enter the area via Khancoban, Tumut or Cooma.

Drivers are advised to carry chains while using roads in the area, and be familiar with fitting them. Chains are sometimes required to travel from Jindabyne to Bullocks Flat, while at any resort a clear road in the morning may become snow covered in the afternoon. In some conditions ice on the road is a problem especially at night and during the morning. Motoring organisations have brochures available on safe winter driving.

Jindabyne is the gateway to many XC skiing areas in the park. There is a variety of accommodation available in Jindabyne and two camping grounds. The NPWS operates a camping ground at Sawpit Creek and there are toilets in a camping area on the Guthega Road opposite the landing strip at the Island Bend turn off. Accommodation is available in club and commercial lodges in Perisher, Smiggin Holes, Guthega and Thredbo or further away in Berridale, Cooma and Adaminaby. Camping is permitted throughout the park, out of sight of roads except for the catchment areas of the alpine lakes. Most of the ski routes listed can be covered on foot during the summer; walkers should be prepared for sudden weather changes and low temperatures and snow at any time.

The information presented here serves as a guide only and may be incomplete and may not be current and does not guarantee to prevent any loss, damage, injury or occurrence.  It is intended to supplement information that skiers already have, or may receive from other sources. 

Skiers going out of sight of villages or pole lines should read the entire section on Backcountry Safety.

The latest maps of the areas are the "New Series" 1:25,000 maps (green cover) produced by Land and Property Information (LPI). The earlier series (pink cover) 1.50,000 CMA maps are still available as well as the NSW Ski Association 1:25,000 maps and a KCros map of the Perisher Range trails.  The Ski Association and KCros maps are the only ones that show the location of the cross country trails.

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Cross country skiing can be a dangerous activity. Do not ski alone. The information on this website is intended only as a guide to areas and trails that are used for skiing and it is each individual skier's responsibility to determine if it is safe for them to ski in any area after taking into account their experience, the experience of the leader and navigator, the capabilities, fitness and experience of all skiers in the group, the weather, snow condition and the time available during the day. KCros does not know nor recommend or infer that any trail or area is suitable for any person to ski on. KCros does not claim or guarantee that any information provided is complete and individual skiers must satisfy themselves that they have adequate information from all sources including instructors and experienced skiers before making a decision to undertake any day trip, journey or skiing activity. Skiers going out of sight of villages or pole lines should read the entire section on Backcountry Safety. Carry adequate warm and waterproof clothing, survival blanket, food, water, first aid, map and compass and if intending to stay out overnight take a suitable tent, stove and snow shovel. Safe navigation in a white out using a hand held GPS unit can only be undertaken by skiers with a good knowledge of the area as cornices and wind scours are a hazard. Mobile phone communication is only possible from some high areas and should not be depended on. It is possible to buy or hire an emergency locator beacon (EPIRB). All groups going out of sight of Perisher or any other village should leave written particulars of their intentions with the NPWS or with a friend or in a ski lodge touring register. Skiers who set out for a particular destination should be aware that they have to return and that the return journey may take longer if a skier becomes tired or exhausted or snow or weather conditions change. Trips should be planned within the capabilities of the weakest skier and all skiers should be aware of the signs and dangers of hypothermia. In the event of an accident or injury those affected must be kept warm and dry as the arrival of help and rescue may take several hours or occur the following day or even later.