Bars and Clubs
Thredbo:
The Thredbo Alpine Hotel houses four of the most popular
venues -
The Bistro: pool, jukebox and food. The most laidback.
The Schuss: Schnapps and live music
Lounge Bar: Sophisticated Apres ski, best place to spot any
celebs (usually aussie TV presenters!)
The Keller: Late night dancing
Jindabyne:
Banjo Patersons: The only place to go on Wednesdays ( Thredbo
staff payday)
Jindabyne Bowling club ( The Bowl-O): Cheap drinks and pool
tables. Dont miss the Friday night meat raffles (really...)
Lake Jindabyne Hotel (LJs): Was the main live music venue
in previous seasons. A change of ownership should see it return to
is former glory in 2004.
The Balcony: Late night boogie spot.
The Station: out of town but with all night shuttle buses.
Venue for Winterbeats festival and top DJs.
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Off-piste
Golf course bowl: From the top of Karels T-bar.
Be careful not to go too far down, its a tough walk if you miss
the runout. Karels is the first lift to go on wind hold (and wind
is common here) so get up here whenever you have the chance.
The Bluff: Get there early on powder days for a steep ride
before hitting the trees.
Although Thredbo lacks huge off-piste areas there are many fun diversions
through the trees near the main runs. Try "bushranger" and the areas
between the Supertrail and High Noon.
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Moguls
The ungroomed "Funnelweb"
can be a challenge if there isnt fresh snow.
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Speed
The longest run in Australia, The Crackenback Supertrail,
starts from Karels ( the highest lifted point in Oz) and you can
speed right down to Friday Flat which is 5.9km away. Some bits are
go-slow but on quite days its a blast.
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Snowparks
Merrits is suppose to be the freestylers playground but the
snow usually only allows for a couple of tabletops and rails to
be useable at any one time. The half pipe is built above the Cruiser
chair for the Sprite Sessions but is only maintained for this event.
There's a BoarderX also at Merrits.
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Events
Redbull Rails: An open rails event set up in the
carpark at the shopping centre in Jindabyne. Dont miss the after
parties.
Sprite Sessions: A week long extravaganza of half pipe,
rails, big air and boarderx. Big prize money brings in big names.
Winterbeats Festival: Australian hip hop events held over
4 weekends.
Blizzard: Big name DJs at the Station.
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Away Days
If you live in Jindabyne you probably wont get that claustrophobic
resort feeling but if you fancy a day away Cooma is only an hour
away and Canberra is about 2.5hrs. If you are getting bored with
Thredbos' runs then try a day with the opposition, at Perisher Blue.
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Shopping
Food shopping and petrol is extortionate in Thredbo so most people
do their shopping at the IGA in Jindabyne. Some reasonably priced
gear can be bought in Jindabyne ( well, reasonable if you are still
thinking in Sterling). Its also a good idea to buy any end of season
bargains if you are planning to head to the northern hemisphere
resorts once your done. Try Rebel Sports, First Tracks and Natural
High - all at Nuggets Crossing.
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Internet Cafés
Both video stores in Jindabyne have computers. Leading Edge
has 2 terminals and is situated at Lakeview plaza( behind Nuggets).
Civic has more terminals and is next to the post office. In Thredbo,
The Alpine Hotel has a couple of terminals. All charge between $8
and $10 an hour.
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Eating
Out
Jindabyne has a range of eating
options. It has Italian, Pizza, Chinese, Mexican, Noodles and Fish
and chips around town. Most places are BYO so you can save a few
dollars with some cheap wine. Wilfeds Cafe:In the National Park
visitor centre. Nice for lunch or dinner before catching a film
next door. Il Lago: Nuggets Crossing. Italian with excellent gourmet
pizza. Perfect for an end of season treat. Check opening times as
it closes some nights at off-peak times. The Balcony: Old Town Centre.
No need to brave the cold when you get beer munchies. This kebab
shop is right in the bar.
Mountain Restaurants
Fridays: The best place at the Friday Flat end of the village to
get your lunchtime snacks. Share a large plate of chips and gravy
for only $4.50. Before you catch the first lifts the breakie burgers
are the ultimate hangover cure. If you end up at Valley Terminal
around lunchtime grab a "double banga sanga" from the outdoor barbeque
and take a seat in the sun.
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McDonalds
The nearest McDs is in Cooma.
Theres also a KFC there.
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Finding
employment
Most staff work for the mountain
(Kosciuszko Thredbo or KT) which runs the lifts, ticket office,
ski school, rental shops and the Thredbo Alpine Hotel. Lift passes
are expensive ($80 a day and around $1000 for the season) so its
worth working for them to save that cost. Applications must be in
by March/April but some vacancies arise in the season. Theres also
work to be found in the many hotels and resturants. Check the notice
board in Nuggets Crossing. There are no tour operators like in Europe
so repping jobs are nonexistent.
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Where
to live
Due to the costs of living in
Thredbo many staff and guests live in Jindabyne and commute the
33kms up the Alpine Way. Having a car is a big advantage though
hitching isn't a problem (especially if you are early and wearing
uniform). The drive takes 30 mins on a good day but can be a lot
more if there is snow or traffic. Thredbo is situated in a National
Park so all cars have to pay an entrance fee. This is $15 daily
or $80 for an annual pass ($20 for KT staff). The National Parks
staff will let you know when chains are required. Watch out for
wildlife on the road - Kangaroos, wombats and emus all like to say
G'day.
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Après-ski
Options
Not a big scene due to everyone
scarpering around 5pm to get a lift to Jindy. If you want a night
off the beer or goon (australias answer to chalet wine) you could
try night skiing, the cinema, the swimming pool or the many activities
on offer at Thredbo sports centre.
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Living
Accomodation in Thredbo is crowded
and expensive. Most apartments are organised the year before by
returning staff. If you are determined not to get up early to catch
first lifts then you may be lucky if you arrive in May/June. Some
brave souls have also been known to sleep in vans in the car park
or camp at the nearby Thredbo Diggings. If you can handle the commute,
Jindabyne is much more reasonable. KT staff are put up in a complex
of four bedroom apartments (2 per room) which creates a great workers
scene. If you want peace and quite and you have a car East Jindabyne
is cheaper still. Most places in Jindabyne are within walking distance
of the town centre but don't walk across the sports field alone
at night! The local bars run a bus service on busy nights.
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CdS
Search
If you’re thinking of doing a season in Thredbo then why not
search through the Club
des Saisonniers to see who else has worked there and what advice
they may be able to offer.
Join
Anyone who has done a season or has a firm offer from a tour operator
may join the Club des Saisonniers.
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[Thanks to Lindsay Adams for putting this Guide together. She gets
a Natives hoody for her troubles]
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