Skiing Down Under

When most people think of Australia they think beautiful beaches, unique wildlife and glorious weather. But did you know that the land Down Under also boasts world-class ski fields? Australia offers fun in the sun - and snow - with a range of ski resorts and fields that are popular throughout the winter months. When the cold weather hits, Australians and other visitors flock to the ski-fields of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania to hit the slopes. Need some advice on where you'll find the best skiing experiences?

Here's a list and run-down of the most popular Australian skiing destinations.

Thredbo, NSW. Situated in the Snowy Mountains of NSW within Kosciuszko National Park, Thredbo village and ski resort is 500 km south of Sydney. With Mount Kosciuszko the tallest mountain in Australia, Thredbo ski resort is home to the longest ski runs in Australia when the snow falls. With 14 lifts and 50 runs, Thredbo attracts around 700, 000 winter visitors annually.

Perisher, NSW. Perisher is Australia's largest skiing resort as well as the largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere. Like Thredbo, Perisher is set in the Snowy Mountains of NSW. The resort is most popular in July when many NSW, ACT and Victorian families flock to the slopes for school holidays. There are four villages to Perisher - Perisher, Smiggin Holes, Blue Cow and Guthega - and between them a wide range of accommodation to choose from.

Falls Creek, Victoria. Falls Creek is a ski-in and ski-out resort in Victoria that enjoys relatively uncrowded conditions compared to other Australian ski resorts. Almost 80% of Falls Creek runs are classified as beginner and intermediate making it a popular ski destination for those just starting out or finding their feet in the world of skiing. Falls Creek will suit beginner skiers looking for Victoria holidays.

Mount Hotham, Victoria. A mountain in Victoria, Australia, Mt Hotham is made up of Mt Hotham Village and Mt Hotham Ski Resort. Mt Hotham holds the record for the highest annual snowfall for a resort in Victoria and is home to Mary's Slide - one of the Australia's most difficult runs.

Mount Buller, Victoria. Mount Buller is one of Australia's most popular ski fields due to its close location to Melbourne. With a network of 25 lifts it offers visitors 80 km of trails and is capable of moving more than 40, 000 people per hour. Because of its proximity to Melbourne, Mount Buller is full and crowded during the winter months, so book early!

There are a number of other ski resorts and snow fields in Australia that offer excellent skiing conditions. If you're looking for other antipodean skiing destinations, New Zealand also offers a range of quality and popular ski resorts.

Look for affordable New Zealand flights to get you there. While most Australian ski destinations are accessible by car, if you're coming interstate there is also a range of cheap flights to get you to the closest city. Where will you choose to have your next Australian alpine adventure?