Snow Australia has insisted it is cheaper to ski in Australia than overseas, with new research showing Australian slopes offer better value than those across the Tasman.
New Roy Morgan research indicated the average cost of a snow holiday in Australia as $945, with the average cost of an overseas ski holiday considerably higher at $4851.
New Zealand was also shown to be more expensive, with the average cost of a Kiwi ski trip coming in at $2802.
“The average New Zealand snow holiday, when all things are considered, is incredibly expensive at almost three times the cost of the average Australian snow holiday,” Snow Australia chief executive Colin Hackworth said, warning of misleading deals.
“People need to be educated and not get sucked in on cheap advertised price points which end up being nothing like what the real end cost will be.”
The tourism body was recently delivered a blow by the revelation Qantas had inked a $4 million marketing deal with Tourism New Zealand to promote the destination’s ski industry, a move which Hackworth reportedly described as “very disappointing”.
While the figures confirmed snow holidays are more expensive than other domestic holidays which carry an average $698 price tag, Hackworth countered this was explained in part by their longer – 6.9 days rather than the 5.9 days of an average domestic holiday.
Meanwhile, Australia’s ski resorts are approaching the imminent ski season with optimism.
“The mood is positive and businesses feel this will be a great season with bookings up on last year,” PR manager Falls Creek Debbie Howie said.
“Overseas holidays are less attractive with the dollar falling and we’ve got some incredibly competitively priced Falls Creek packages with added value that are competing very successfully in the holiday market.”
Howie revealed good snowfalls and sub-zero temperatures were forecast this week.
“We’ll also be able to make snow which means we should have a solid base for some skiing and boarding on opening weekend,” she said.
