Thredbo Insider: Tom Tilley’s Guide To The Perfect Thredbo Day

Boot up, slide into my retro onesie and then it’s straight to Avalanche Cafe at the bottom of the Kosicuszko Chairlift to order a mocha and three donuts. Whilst scoffing donuts, I start calling all my friends in the village and barking at them to hurry up.

First run, warm up your legs with a solid burn down Supertrail. Then progressively work across to the Bluff, Ramshead, then Funnel Web. Then take the Basin and Karels t-bars and ski right into the top of Golf Course bowl. Yard sales optional.     Lunch is a waste of valuable skiing time but also a necessity. So I’ll pop my head into Kareela Hutte, have one beer and announce to my friends that I’m too busy maxing my vertical miles to sit down for the full experience. Then I’ll whip up to Black Sallees (if it’s snowing) or Frost Bite (if it’s blue bird) and smash a burger and a large stein of beer.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tom Tilley (@tilleytom)

Channelling the post lunch Dutch courage, ski harder and harder as my legs get weaker and weaker before sliding into the First Base party outside the Alpine Hotel, where old school music, dancing and high fives ensue.

Suddenly I’m back on Snowgums chair clutching two big red flares, about to experience the most beautiful thing you can ever do in a ski resort anywhere in the world: the Thredbo Flare run.

Back to the hotel for a reset: power nap, shower, slip into evening wear – a canadian tuxedo (head to toe stone washed denim) but with warm mid layers.

The best spot for dinner, in my humble opinion, is Candlelight Lodge for fondue. It feels like you’re in Austria in the 1970s. That’s a very happy place for me!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tom Tilley (@tilleytom)

Then you definitely want the full Denman experience. At Thredbo’s smallest bar, expect to line up outside in the cold for 20 long minutes. Many will come and go during that time, but patience always pays off. As you walk in, you see that an old friend has ordered a long line of money shots, just enough for you.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ChamonixThredbo (@chamonixthredbo)

Next stop, Lounge Bar. Famed songsmith Mark Travers will lovingly sledge you on the microphone before getting every single person in the vicinity on the dance floor.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Thredbo Alpine Hotel (@thredboalpinehotel)

The rest of the night is a haze of singalongs at the Schuss Bar and dark shapes on the dance floor at the Keller Bar. At some point, you’re making false promises to get first lifts the next morning. The last thing you remember is your French exit before diving into your pillow.