The costly mistake bargain hunters make at Australian ski resorts

As someone who's been hitting the Aussie snow fields for the past 15 years on the cheap, there's one key mistake I see time and time again from bargain-hunters: picking the wrong season.

I'm a regular at Perisher and Thredbo in the NSW Snowy Mountains - and have stayed everywhere from on-snow accommodation, to a cold caravan at the Alpine Adventist park in Jindabyne, to bunking in with friends with 10 packed into a room at The Station.

I've visited Mount Hotham and Mount Buller in Victoria (plus Baw Baw for snow play as a kid, if that counts).

I've popped on skis and a snowboard at Australia's highest ski resort, Charlotte Pass (accessible via Perisher), and tried the park jumps at Selwyn Snow Resort (which is nearby to Australia's birthplace of skiing, Kiandra, NSW, where Norwegians first took to the slopes in 1861).

Regardless of where I've thrown a snowball, the biggest error people make is overlooking spring snow.

And it's fabulous!

There are discounts galore to be had, quieter slopes which mean less time waiting in the lift line, fire works, great weather and really fun, slushy soft snow. If you take a crash in September, you're up for a soft landing compared to the icy cover in June, but beware of trees poking through.

"September has so much to offer," says Thredbo spokeswoman Bronte Crawley.

"[It's] traditionally more forgiving conditions and weather, and less crowds, September is a great option for those looking for a laid back approach to a ski/snowboard trip."

See, exactly what I said.

Some resorts offer special events like music festivals, kids and family activities, and other fun events to fill your day.

This September, Perisher will host a "Rad Dad Day" to coincide with Father's Day.

If 2025 is something to go by, they'll have dress ups and a party near the Blue Cow Terminal.

As the icy nights melt away and the weather is more attuned to camping trips away during spring, don't go coastal where the crowds are, save yourself some money on the mountains.

If you want to stay on snow, I would advise to follow your favourite lodges, hotels and other accommodation on social media for any last-minute deals that pop up.

Sign up to their newsletters, too, and pester their front desk for last-minute discounted accommodation. You will thank me.

Picturesque towns like Jindabyne, Bright and Mount Beauty are also worth checking for cheaper accommodation deals if you're up for a drive.

The plus side about spring weather, you are unlikely to need chains on your tires (a non-negotiable when snowing and blizzardy to stop vehicles sliding off the road).

In 2026, Vail resorts are offering a new Epic Beginner Bundle, with three flexible days of beginner lift access, ski or board lessons and gear rental across Hotham, Falls Creek and Perisher.

"September is a great time to visit," says Vail spokeswoman Dani Wright.

"There are less crowds and huge retail discounts. This is the perfect time for bucket-list beginners to try out the sport."

When booking 2026 spring lift tickets for Thredbo in NSW, snow bunnies can save up to 50 per cent for mid-week bookings (if booked online more than 30 days out).

The Thredbo Alpine Hotel also offers a 20 per cent discount for online bookings.

For all the other winter wonderland resorts in Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales, best check with them direct about specials and one-off deals.

I've snowboarded my way through many types of conditions at home and abroad, nothing beats the rays of warm sunshine while I'm basking with a bevvy at the bottom of the chairlift.

September is also a lovely time for schools to enjoy mountain sports at some of the bigger resorts.

If you'd prefer to avoid being run over by 60 teenagers who ski better than you on the boarder-cross or slalom, check ahead which weeks they may be there.

Same goes if booking a lodge that may like to take in school-group bookings mid-week.

On another note, some Aussie mountains are higher than others and have bigger snow-making capacity than others, while the snow fall can vary across the country.

If you're keen to go to one of the smaller resorts, double check they are still operating when you'd like to book. Most of the main players are open until the first week of October.