Many Australians - your humble scribe included - have been quick to dismiss the local ski fields in pursuit of the renowned alpine regions in Europe and North America.

But the tough economic times have made many question the expense of international travel and realise that a New South Wales' ski holiday is just as good - and in a lot of ways better - than what you'll find overseas.

It's hard to beat the convenience and economy of strapping the skis and boards to the roof racks and making the short drive to the Snowy Mountains from Sydney or Melbourne. And once you arrive, the quality of skiing, accommodation and dining options now available will ensure your holiday will be just as memorable as that expensive trip to Aspen or Chamonix.

The town of Jindabyne is located about 500 kilometres between Sydney and Melbourne - a five to six hour drive. At 991 metres it is just below the snow line and offers a convenient destination to explore the ski fields of Thredbo, Perisher and Charlotte Pass.

Alpine Sports
Situated in the heart of town, Alpine Sports is the most experienced place to get everything you need for the snow. Established over 20 years ago, they offer a massive range of quality skis and snowboards for sale, and a dedication to providing some of the best of these for hire - refreshingly ding-free. There is also plenty of outerwear to ensure you stay dry using it.

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Thredbo
About 25 clicks down Alpine Way is the picturesque ski village of Thredbo. Established by former Czechoslovakian ski instructor Tony Sponor in 1957, Thredbo is undoubtedly the most European of Australia's ski resorts.

Tredbo started with a few humble rope tows and has grown to 14 lifts covering 480 hectares of riding terrain. The base starts at 1365 metres above sea level and rises to over 2000 metres, allowing for runs of almost 6 kilometres. It is this feature that distinguishes Thredbo from other local ski resorts. If you're after long, tree-lined runs with a good slice of intermediate terrain, then this is the resort for you.

Beginners aren't forgotten, however, with gentler runs at the base of the mountain and ski schools run daily throughout the season.

This year Thredbo have invested another $2 million in snowmaking facilities, with snow guns now covering over 70 hectares of the mountain. This is the largest snowmaking system in the southern hemisphere and ensures a good dose of fresh powder every morning of the season - no matter what Mother Nature has planned. The projected output for winter 2009 is over 600,000 cubic metres of snow. This equates to covering around 60 football fields in one metre of the white stuff.

Another attraction of Thredbo is the ski in/ski out experience offered by the many lodges and hotels in the township. These are located right next to the ski field and snake their way around a compact patch of hillside, creating an intimate and charming village feel.

The Peak Apartments
There are over 4000 beds on offer in Thredbo, but top of the accommodation list - by a significant margin - is The Peak Apartments. This brand new, contemporary complex offers uninterrupted panoramic views of the mountain from every dwelling, ranging from stylish one-bedroom studios to lavish three-bedroom (plus studio) apartments.

The list of features is long, but highlights include undercover garage parking (a rarity in Thredbo), massive front windows overlooking the mountain, heated stone or timber flooring, marble bathrooms and state of the art kitchens complete with Miele appliances - all finished in a unique and contemporary style.

All guarantee a beautiful stay, but if you really want to indulge yourself then the three-bedroom split-level apartment is simply stunning. It features double storey windows, with the lower level consisting of a kitchen, dining room, two living areas, two gas fires, a queen bedroom and bathroom - complete with sauna! The mid level includes a large laundry and spa bath terrace, while the upper level has two more bedrooms with ensuites, a loft area, reading area, separate TV area and even a pool table. Click here to check tariffs and availability.

Once you've had enough time on the mountain, Thredbo offers a wealth of dining options, ranging from pizza to fine dining. There are too many to mention here, so the following are three of the region's best.

Credo
Credo is the locals' favourite. This recently renovated restaurant and wine bar is situated at the southern end of Thredbo village and offers a warm and inviting environment with wood finishes and one of the best views of the mountain on offer. This makes it a popular wedding venue year-round, but it's the food and amazing wine list that shine here.

The menu features good quality European fare ranging from home-made gnocchi to duck confit, while the ample cellar is bursting at the seams with some of the world's best. Choose from, say, a bottle of 1995 Moet and Chandon Cuvee Dom Perignon or 1991 Chateau Lafite Rothschild First Growth. There are also plenty of affordable, quality Australian wines, with 13 by the glass.

Crackenback Cottage
With great respect to the fantastic food offered by the restaurants above, Crackenback Cottage is - at least in this writer's opinion - the best dining experience available in the region. Located halfway between Jindabyne and Thredbo on Alpine Way, this historic cottage restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and offers beautifully creative dishes in an unpretentious, welcoming setting.

The menu focuses on regionally-grown, seasonal produce and offers a refreshing level of flexibility to cater for vegetarians and various dietary requirements. Highlights include the double baked tallegio and cauliflower soufflé or braised rabbit and sautéed wild mushroom tartlet for entrée, slow roasted pork belly or charred beef tenderloin with duck liver parfait for main and spiced fruit bread and butter pudding for dessert.

You get the idea. Chef Sarah Wilton - formerly of Bathers Pavilion in Sydney - delivers a perfect winter alpine menu that is matched by a carefully selected Australian wine list. Crackenback is a must-visit for any foodie to the region.

Wild Brumby Schnapps
Just across the road from Crackenback Cottage is Wild Brumby Schnapps. This quaint little café offers tasting of 12 delicious schnapps flavours - butterscotch is a highlight - while overlooking their distillery. Schnapps and skiing are a historic pairing, so no trip to the mountains would be complete without grabbing a bottle to round out a day on the skis or snowboard. It's also a great place to grab a coffee on your way to or home from Thredbo.

The Denman
Just up the road is another of Thredbo's best in The Denman. Built in the 1960s as Thredbo's first commercial ski lodge, the venue has had a multi-million dollar facelift in recent years to combine four-star accommodation with the Apres Bar, Terrace restaurant and the village's only day spa in Thalgo. The large range of relaxing treatments offered at Thalgo is the perfect remedy for the aches and pains from a hard day on the slopes, with the 90-minute stone therapy massage a highlight.

After your treatment, start with an espresso martini at the Apres Bar before heading upstairs to dine at the award-winning restaurant. The setting is contemporary and capped off by floor-to-ceiling windows allowing all tables to look out to the mountain, while the menu is an inventive take on modern Australian. The kangaroo carpaccio is a superb way to start, while the local beef steak topped with foie gras is the perfect hearty dish to cap off a day in the snow. For dessert, it's hard to go passed the rich, self-saucing chocolate pudding.

Perisher
The other major mountain resort in New South Wales is Perisher. The largest snow resort in the southern hemisphere, Perisher combines the ski fields of Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Mount Blue Cow and Guthega - each offering their own unique riding and feel. In total there are 48 different lifts covering 1245 hectares of skiable terrain.

This massive area means that you can literally ski for days without having to do the same run, while all levels of ability are easily catered for. About 60% of the mountain is classed as intermediate, with the balance evenly split between beginner and advanced. There is also a halfpipe and six terrain parks for the snowboarders or freestyle skiers.

With more of the resort being above the recognized snow line of 1650 metres than Thredbo, the need for snowmaking facilities is reduced. But there's still been plenty of snowmaking investment in recent years, with 53 hectares currently covered and plans for significant expansion in the coming seasons.

Off the slopes there are plenty of on-snow accommodation options across the four ski fields. The vast majority of these are lodges, but there are also a growing number of serviced apartments if you're after something a little more private. Contact Absolute Alpine (see below) for details of these.

There are a couple of options to getting in and out of Perisher. If you're staying in Jindabyne then the drive will take you about 30 minutes, but the Ski Tube - departing from Bullocks Flat near Thredbo - also offers a quick and convenient way to beat the traffic. The train travels 8.5 kilometres through the mountain to the Perisher base camp and parking at the terminal is free and security patrolled.

Charlotte Pass
Charlotte Pass ia a small ski field located eight kilometres beyond Perisher Valley and is only accessible via oversnow transport in the winter months. While this means your dependent on oversnow timetables to get in and out, the isolated beauty of the quaint little ski town offers a truly magical experience.

There are only four lifts and fewer than 20 runs offered at Charlotte Pass, so if you're an advanced skier you won't need more than a day to check these out. If you're travelling with the family, however, the ability to view almost every run from the base enables you to keep a good eye on the kids.

Guests can stay at the historic Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel, built in 1938, or one of the eight lodges in the village. Click here to visit the accommodation section of the website for details on these.

Absolute Alpine
The resorts, accommodation and establishments listed above are just a small selection of the Snowy Mountains' best, and the diversity of skiing available at these three New South Wales ski resorts can make planning a holiday a challenge. If you need assistance and local knowledge then put yourself in the experienced hands of the team at Absolute Alpine.

Whether you're a big group of friends heading to the snow for the first time or a family looking for a safe, affordable week on the mountains, Absolute Alpine can book you into the resort and accommodation that is perfect for your needs. Their team lives in the mountains, drinks at the bars, eats at the restaurants and visits each accommodation option regularly to stay up to date. It's this in-depth local knowledge that can make your holiday extraordinary.

They also call in plenty of favours from their friends in region to offer great holiday package specials. There are still a couple of months of the season left, so get in contact and they'll organise the best New South Wales alpine holiday possible.

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