With so many fun things to do with kids during winter, it’s no wonder Thredbo has been named Best Australian Ski Resort for Families in the Out & About with Kids Readers’ Choice Awards for seven years in a row!
Thredbo is a gorgeous alpine village in the NSW Snowy Mountains. With a stack of on-snow delights and village fun, it has everything you need for a fabulous family ski holiday. Whether you are a skier, boarder, sightseer, snowballer or snowman-builder, there’s a mountain of outdoor options right outside your door.
The 2025 ski season at Thredbo kicks off with Opening Weekend on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June, so it’s the perfect time to start planning your NSW winter getaway. From kids’ festivals to fireworks and flare runs, here are 12 great things for families to see and do at Thredbo this year.
6 ways for families to enjoy the slopes at Thredbo
Thredbo is set up to suit every level of snow rider – from newcomers taking their first shaky slides on the purpose-built Friday Flat beginners area, to those ready to tackle the whole mountain.
1. Join the magical Thredbo kids’ flare run (followed by fireworks)
Littlies can light up the slopes with their own twinkling, flashing LED flares during the Thredbo kids’ flare run, which is held every Thursday night during the winter season. Kids are loaded onto the Easy Does It chairlift alongside snow sport instructors as the sun sets, ready to descend the gentle slopes with a flourish!
Once all the littlies have reached the bottom, the sky lights up with a spectacular fireworks celebration. Lights are available for purchase from the stall out the front of the bistro, and the experience is free for children aged from three to 14 with a valid lift pass.
2. Enjoy Friday Flat beginners area (and the magic carpet!)
In 2023, Thredbo introduced a 98-metre long magic carpet – called Freddie’s Snow Runner – which travels through a tunnel to protect skiers and riders from the elements. It’s in the resort’s Kids Learning Area, where kids can ski down both sides and interact with fun obstacles.
3. Learn to ski (or snowboard) with Thredbo's lessons for all ages
Thredbo offers one of Australia’s best junior snowsports programs, with lessons offered on a dedicated gentle slope. First-timers between three and six years old can join Thredboland, a program designed to teach young kids how to ski in a fun, safe and progressive environment with small group sizes and a team of specially trained expert instructors.
Private and group lessons are available for kids of all ages (and adults!). If you need advice on which program is best, Guest Services can help – or see our guide to skiing vs snowboarding for kids.
4. Ride Australia's only alpine gondola
Opened in 2020, Merritts Gondola is a high speed, eight-person gondola that takes skiers, snowboarders and scenic passengers from the village to the base of the Cruiser Area in just six minutes. Even non-skiers will find the trip worthwhile, with breathtaking views from the comfortable European-style cabins. At the top, indulge in hot chocolate or tuck into some hearty eats at European-inspired Merritts Mountain House restaurant.
5. Join the thrilling Project Shred at Cruiser Terrain Park
Kids can learn tricks and tips from some of the best skiers and snowboarders in Australia in the resort’s child-friendly Cruiser Terrain Park as part of the innovative Project Shred. Scheduled for Saturday 12 July in 2025, this workshop for under-13s lets kids learn from top athletes to discover the ins and outs of becoming a pro.
There’s also an autograph signing session with the athletes and coaches, a sausage sizzle and live music, plus heaps of giveaways and prizes. And all registrations come with a rad Project Shred t-shirt to take home!
6. Enjoy 'first tracks' with an iconic Sunrise Session
Families with teens aged 16 and over can book a Sunrise Session, in which you can watch the sun come up from Australia’s highest lifted point and enjoy an on-mountain breakfast before getting first tracks down Supertrail, Australia’s longest run! The experience is offered on Tuesday mornings from July 22 until September 2 in 2025. Meeting times vary from 5.45am to 6.20am, depending on the time of sunrise.
More family activities at Thredbo - off the slopes!
One of the best things about Thredbo is the abundance of fun activities for non-skiers. The village is renowned for its family-friendly atmosphere, with a great mix of shops, eateries and conveniences right in the heart of town.
1. Ride the Southern Hemisphere's first Alpine Coaster
Even more thrills are in store at Thredbo with the launch of the Alpine Coaster in Winter 2024. Zipping through the track at up to 40km/h, be prepared to traverse curves, loops and tunnels on this innovative toboggan ride – but don’t worry, riders can control their speed, so you can take it easy on your first lap! Kids three to eight years old (or under 135cm) are able to ride with an adult, while everyone else can take on the Alpine Coaster solo.
2. Join in the Thredbo Kids Snow Festival (July and September school holidays)
During the July and September school holidays, Thredbo comes alive with family fun! The Kids’ Snow Festival offers everything from the joy of toasting s’mores at the Friday Flat fire pits and playing giant Jenga and Connect Four outside the Friday Flat Bistro to supervised movie nights (with mandatory popcorn!) at Thredbo Alpine Hotel.
New additions to the Kids’ Snow Festival for the 2025 ski season include a free Astronomy Night at Thredbo-themed Amazing Race activity (with the chance to win a Thredbo holiday for four) and
Time your trip to be there on a Thursday to take part in Family Fun Night. Kids can get a selfie with the Thredboland animals and see them march across the snow in a colourful parade. There’s also music and games like limbo with some awesome prizes. It all happens near the Friday Flat Clock Tower from 4pm to 5.30pm.
3. Toast marshmallows and make Lindt chocolate s'mores
Thredbo is loved by all for its village vibe, and one of the great drawcards for families is being able to sit around the fire pits toasting marshmallows at night. You can even make Lindt chocolate s’mores – a treat popular in Canada and the United States made from one or more toasted marshmallows and a layer of chocolate sandwiched between two crackers.
4. Marvel at the family fireworks displays (Thursday and Saturday nights)
As well as the Thursday night flare run fireworks, there’s also a spectacular fireworks show every Saturday night at Thredbo. Stand huddled with the family as you “ooh” and “ahh” at the colourful (free!) display.
5. Enjoy a Barvarian-inspired feast at Merritts Mountain Haus
For a unique on-mountain experience your family will remember forever, be sure to book the Merritts Mountain Haus Feast. Rug up and ride Australia’s only alpine gondola to Merritts Mountain House, located at 1660 metres, to indulge in a Bavarian-inspired banquet, including giant baked pretzels, schnitzel and bratwurst. The ride back down is truly special as you take in the view of the twinkling lights of Thredbo Village below.
6. Splash out on Mission Inflatable water park at Thredbo Leisure Centre
Thredbo Leisure Centre – just a five-minute walk from the village – has loads of great activities to enjoy. There’s a pool, a waterslide and even a Mission Inflatable obstacle course, which is open every afternoon throughout the winter season for kids at least 1.2 metres tall.
There’s also a sports hall where you can play basketball, soccer, netball or table tennis; a bouldering wall and Zero Gravity indoor trampoline sessions for kids aged eight and over.
Plan your Thredbo snow holiday
How to get there
Thredbo is located at Kosciuszko National Park in the NSW Snowy Mountains. Accessible by road, the ski resort is 2.5 hours from Canberra and 5.5 hours from Sydney or Melbourne.
Lift passes, lessons and rentals
Book your Thredbo lift passes, Learn to Ski packages and rentals online in advance to save up to 50%. Discounts vary depending on your selected dates. Find out more here
Where to stay
Thredbo Alpine Hotel is conveniently located in the heart of the village. It makes a great base family ski holiday thanks to its prime location, just across from the Valley Terminal and 150m from the bus stop to Friday Flat. In addition to the hotel’s several restaurants, you can find more kid-friendly eateries just minutes away.
In partnership with Thredbo Resort
Content contributors: Elisa Elwin, Angela Saurine, Dan Campbell
Opening image: Snow sculpture creates a winter wonderland at Thredbo
