Salzburg appartments in Perisher.
Daniel Fallon finds a comfortable spot to recover while enjoying Perisher.
THE SETTING
Nestled in the heart of Perisher Valley in Kosciuszko National Park, the luxurious Salzburg Apartments offer a stunning alpine view of Mount Perisher. The famous ski resort is a short walk, so you can be at the Front Valley chairlift in less than 10 minutes. During the winter season, access is by car carrying chains or four-wheel-drive or by complimentary transfer from the Perisher Resort Skitube, which is 200 metres away.
THE SPACE
There are 10 managed apartments (one four-bedroom lodging accommodates 10 guests and nine three-bedroom pads cater for six to eight). They are spacious, fully contained offerings designed for skiers. Our apartment is set over two floors. The front entry on the bottom floor has a foyer separated by two doors to help keep the warm air in, and a floor grille where you brush the snow off. The bottom level features a bedroom (with king-size mattress), bathroom, private spa and sauna, laundry (washer-dryer) and drying room for your ski gear. The top-level entry leads directly into the main bedroom (with en suite). The main living area is open-plan and the second bedroom has four single beds. Built-in wardrobes help keep rooms tidy. A balcony provides a stunning view of the surrounding mountains.
MOD CONS
For those that can't stay disconnected for any length of time, you can order a prepaid broadband service for your room. There is a flatscreen TV, DVD and CD player, and a small stereo with an iPod/iPhone dock.
COMFORT FACTOR
Each apartment has a private spa and sauna, which can help relax muscles after a day carving up the slopes. The spa's jet pressure could be firmer, but the warm water does help me unwind. Our family is instantly at home in the lounge area and cosies up by the open fireplace, which is well stocked with wood and kindling. There are also electric heaters in each room. Other creature comforts include heated bathroom floors and heated towel racks. The apartments are serviced daily and the friendly management is on-site to help with emergencies (our hot water didn't work on arrival and we were moved to another apartment the next day).
FOOD
The full kitchen - stove tops, a microwave and electric oven - has everything you need to cook up a storm and enjoy your meals. That includes pots, pans, mugs, wine glasses, plates and utensils as well as a dishwasher to help clean up. The Perisher Centre has a small supermarket but you might want to stock up on your grub in Jindabyne for a better deal. Or step next door to the Marritz Alpine Inn to enjoy a menu filled with delicious meals, which can be billed to your apartment.
WORTH STEPPING OUT FOR
You'll be skiing and snowboarding Perisher's extensive resort during the day, and at night you can enjoy bands, beer and pub fare at the nearby Jax Bar & Chargrill and Man from Snowy River Hotel.
THE VERDICT
Although the apartments are far from new and the furnishings run towards retro, Salzburg is the perfect base for skiers who want to stay above the snowline and cater for themselves.
HOW TO GET THERE
Salzburg is a six-hour drive from Sydney. Take the Hume Highway south and, after Goulburn, turn left on the Federal Highway for Canberra. Turn left on Majura Road and then left again on the Monaro Highway towards Cooma. Then take the Snowy Mountains Highway for Jindabyne before climbing Kosciuszko Road into the mountains. You cannot park overnight in the Kosciuszko National Park. Instead, park at Bullocks Flat near Jindabyne and catch the Skitube up. Those with young kids and lots of luggage may want to drive up and drop them off at the apartments first.
ESSENTIALS
A three-bedroom apartment (sleeps six) costs $1900 a night or $4320 for three nights in peak ski season (until August 25). See salzburg.com.au. The Kosciuszko National Park charges $27 a car a day for entry. For ski reports and lift tickets, see perisher.com.au.
The writer stayed courtesy of the Snowy Mountains of Music Festival.
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