Ski

OK, to the uninitiated Australia may not be the first place that springs to mind when considering a skiing holiday; but to those in the know, the slopes Down Under are second to none. Pro skiers delight in spending the European winter in Austria, France and Italy, then heading to Australia from April until around September to hit the slopes in Victoria and New South Wales (Tasmania also has some secret ski spots).

Like anywhere else, the time you choose to go and the mountain you pick is essential: Thredbo between Sydney and Melbourne, Perisher Blue in NSW and Mt Hotham in Victoria are generally the most highly regarded resorts; but Mts Buller and Buffalo in Victoria and other spots such as Selwyn in New South Wales also have their ardent fans. Take a look at live snow cams.

One bonus of the skifields in Australia is their proximity to the big cities and pretty good roads - though most skiers and snowboarders prefer to stay at the resort for a few days, or long weekends. As you might expect, the apres ski scene is vibrant and hearty Down Under: so even if you don’t fancy taking to the slopes yourself, you can still enjoy the social aspects.

A one-day mountain pass costs around $100 (£44); plus another $70 (£30) to hire skis, boots and poles for the day. Chairlift sightseeing passes are also available for around $25 (£11), depending on the resort you choose. Accommodation varies from hotels, lodges, apartments or campsites if you’re brave enough. Typical lodge prices in peak season are around $130 (£58) per double room per night.

Check out Ed Leigh from BBC’s Ski Sunday snowboarding experience Down Under - be warned though: Ed didn’t experience perfect weather conditions during his mountain hike so wasn’t too impressed!