Impressions of Aussie Ski Resorts
Went up to Mt Buller last Sunday for a snowboarding day trip with Chris. Snow conditions were pretty good (almost 130 cm depth) but the prices are steep. Let's see... Entry fee: $32 (wtf is this?) 1-day Lift ticket: $94 Season pass: over $1,000 (WTF?!? Compare this to $200 to $300 at Lake Tahoe resorts) It turns out Aussie ski resorts are among the most expensive in the world, with Buller, Hotham, Falls Creek etc. in the top-10 most expensive list. Resort operators blame in a economy-of-scale and the short season, which I suppose makes sense. If that's the case, how can resorts in New Zealand be cheaper than Australia? I smell a ripoff here. The facilities at Buller are also nowhere near the quality of US resorts...no lockers, no villages, no atmosphere! In saying this, however, Whistler-Blackcomb sets a high standard. Also, there is a lack of decent hotels in the area (hello Westin Whistler, where the hotel lobby is just steps away from the chair lift). Chris was keen to show