With Rising Prices Back Home, Is It Cheaper for Aussies to Ski Abroad?

Skiing in Australia has gotten a lot more expensive. Between ever-increasing lift ticket prices, soaring lodging costs, and fees for driving to most resorts, a week of riding the slopes of Australia’s snowy mountains might cost you a small fortune.

So why is skiing Down Under so pricey? First and foremost, as is the story for many North American resorts, the cost of day passes has skyrocketed. At Perisher, Australia’s most visited and largest resort, those not looking to splurge on a season-long Epic Pass are forced to cough up AUD 278 (USD 193) for a peak-rate single-day ticket at the window. That’s more than double the price of a few decades ago, even when adjusted for inflation.

• Related: Perisher Resort, Australia, Set to Open Village 8 Chair for the Season After Fresh Snow Dump

Secondly, lodging has grown increasingly expensive, especially for those who wish to stay near the lifts. Hotels in Perisher Valley regularly cost around AUD 1,440 (USD 1,000) per night during the ski season. And those seeking budget options may want to look elsewhere, as the cheapest hotel listing in the valley for next weekend (July 17-20) still clocks in at around AUD 720 (USD 500) a night.

Finally, those wishing to drive up to the mountains from major cities such as Sydney or Melbourne should brace themselves for a few more, perhaps unforeseen expenses. Overnight parking at at Perisher specifically is extremely limited, as its only offered by select places like the Perisher Valley Hotel. As such, spots are very expensive, typically costing around AUD 100 (USD 70) per night. For those unable to ski a parking spot, there is an 8.5 km (5.3 miles) long cog railway which transports visitors into Perisher Valley. However, this option is even more expensive as an adult ticket costs AUD 132 (USD 92). Additionally, visitors should be ready to pay AUD 29 (USD 20) a day to take a car into an Australian national park, since many major ski resorts down under are located within such areas.

The steep price tag on an Australian ski holiday leaves one to wonder: could it possibly be cheaper for Aussie skiers to travel abroad in search of fresh tracks? After all, destinations such as Japan have cheaper lift tickets, better deals on lodging, and — let’s face it — a lot more powder. Outlined below is a table answering that very question: Would it cost less for someone living in Sydney to fly to Japan for a ski holiday than to hit the slopes in their own backyard?

Niseko vs. Perisher: Cost Comparison

Parameters: Niseko and Perisher have been chosen as they are, being among the largest, most visited, and snowiest destinations in their respective countries, arguably the most iconic ski resorts in Japan and Australia. The resorts will be judged based on three price categories — lift tickets, lodging, and transportation. The total amount represents the cumulative basic cost for a solo traveler from Sydney going on a week-long vacation to either destination during the peak ski season (two days traveling, five days skiing).

Cost Breakdown

Niseko
Five-Day Lift Ticket: AUD 559 (USD 387)
Transportation: AUD 3,158 (USD 2,185)
Lodging: AUD 1,940 (USD 1,342)
TOTAL: AUD 5,657 (USD 3,914)

Perisher
Five-Day Lift Ticket: AUD 1,390 (USD 965)
Transportation: AUD 935 (USD 647)
Lodging: AUD 5,462  (USD 3,780)
TOTAL: AUD 7,787 (USD 5,392)

What Was Included in Each Pricing Category

Five-Day Lift Ticket
Niseko: 2025-2026 adult peak pricing for a five-day Niseko United All Mountain Pass
Perisher: Online five-day adult lift ticket, July 16-20

Transportation
Niseko:
— Fastest possible round-trip flights from Sydney to Sapporo, departing January 13, 2027, and returning January 19 (including checked bags for ski equipment)
— Six-day car rental from Sapporo Airport
— Estimated round-trip gas cost from Sapporo Airport to Niseko

Perisher:
— Six nights of parking in Perisher Valley
— Six-day vehicle entry to Kosciuszko National Park
— Estimated round-trip gas cost from Sydney

Lodging
Niseko and Perisher: Six-night stay at the cheapest listed 3-star hotel within walking distance of the slopes during peak ski season

So, is it really cheaper for Aussies to fly all the way to Japan for a week than to stick to their home slopes? Despite the seemingly conclusive table above, the true answer is: it could be. The fact of the matter is every ski vacation looks different. Not every trip is exactly seven days long, not every skier needs to stay at a three-star hotel (some sleep in the parking lot), and some people don’t mind hitching a ride on their local ski bus to save a few bucks. However, given certain circumstances, it can somehow be cheaper for Australian skiers to make the trek all the way up to Japan.

The bottom line: money-conscious Aussies looking to hit the slopes for a day or two probably shouldn’t book the next flight to Hokkaido. But for those searching for deeper snow and new experiences abroad, money probably shouldn’t be the thing holding them back.

• Related: Niseko Village, Japan, Announces New Luxury Gondola Plans, Featuring VIP Cabins and Glass Floors