How To Plan The Ultimate Mountain Biking Holiday At Thredbo MTB Park

Whether you’re planning a family trip during the school holidays, a long weekend of riding with mates or a solo mission, Thredbo MTB Park is the ultimate mountain biking holiday destination. 

It’s Australia’s only lift-accessed MTB Park and there’s something truly unique about jumping on the chairlift or the gondola with your bike, enjoying stunning views on the way up the mountain and then riding back down. Plus, the lifts are super quick, comfortable and efficient meaning you can get more riding time in each day!

Not only is there over 40 kilometres of pure gravity trails for all abilities but you’re also surrounded by the beauty of Mt Kosciuszko! In between laps, make sure to stop and take in the fresh mountain air, smell the wildflowers and chill out by the waterfalls. 

Thredbo makes significant developments to the MTB Park every year to ensure every season is better than the last, and this summer is no different! This season, riders can get excited for an all-new Revolver trail off the Kosciuszko Chairlift, a new jumps trail coming to the Cruiser area and heaps of upgrades to the existing network including a major realignment of the Kosciuszko Flow Trail on the lower slopes, a new section added to Dream Catcher (formerly All-Mountain) and a revamp of Grasshopper with more flow and jumps. 

To really get a feel for Thredbo MTB Park, you’re going to need at least a few days! Here’s everything you need to know when planning your trip…  

Getting There

Thredbo is located in the heart of the Kosciuszko National Park in Snowy Mountains, NSW and is conveniently accessed by car or bus. Roughly 5.5 hours’ drive from either Sydney or Melbourne and 2.5 hours drive from Canberra, Thredbo offers both day and overnight car parking facilities.

When You Arrive 

When you arrive, you’re going to need a few things!

The first is a lift pass to access the trails. After purchasing, head to one of the kiosks at the base of the mountain to grab your MyThredbo card. Our tip? Make sure to purchase your lift passes online at least 7 days in advance to score up to 30% off adult and up to 50% off kids lift passes. 

If you plan to spend more than 6 days on the mountain, check out our new Gravity Pass, giving you unlimited lift access from the 16th November to 27th April, membership to the leisure centre, discounted food and drinks and discounted entry to Cannonball festival!

The next is a bike and gear. Never fear if you haven’t got your own yet though! Thredbo Retail & Rental has got you covered with a huge range of the latest gravity-focused gear for purchase or rental. 

Hot tip: It’s super easy to load your bike onto the gondola or the chairlift but if it’s your first time, you’ll find demonstration racks at the bottom of every lift where you can practice! Plus, the friendly lift staff are always happy to help you too. 

First Trails 

Thredbo is home to some of the best alpine riding in the country with over 40km of lift-accessed gravity trails, progressive skills parks, jumps parks and two pump tracks. There is something for everyone!

Once you’re ready to go, check out the interactive map on the Thredbo App to pick your first trail. Beginning with the green Easy Rider trail for beginners and taking you all the way through to the black Cannonball Downhill trail for advanced riders, Thredbo’s trail map is designed to be progressed through as you build skills and confidence. Just check out the trail progression matrix on the map and follow the trails from the easiest to the most challenging! 

For beginner and intermediate riders, jump on the Merritts Gondola and head to the Cruiser area on day one. The Cruiser area has some of the most popular trails in the park including Paparazzi, Pegasus & Grasshopper. Paparazzi has become a favourite amongst riders thanks to its scenic and slightly challenging terrain. True to its name, it also has some great photo opportunities! From the Cruiser area, you can also access some of the best flowing trails in the park including Ricochet & Sidewinder which will take you the whole way back to the village. 

Advanced riders, you’ll find more challenging terrain off the Kosciuszko Chairlift with the famous Cannonball Downhill taking centre stage. The Cannonball trail runs a fairly direct fall line passing until the chairlift multiple times with some high-speed rock gardens, big jumps and steep terrain. For those looking for something a little tamer, the Kosciuszko Flow Trail provides the adrenaline rush of high-speed gravity, however it is a much more approachable intermediate trail that is free of the more technical sections. New for this summer is Revolver, a steep and fast intermediate flow trail that has some big rock rolls and jumps that will keep riders on their toes. 

For those looking for more of a backcountry adventure, Panorama is a black technical line that traverses over the main range to the Gunbarrel & Cruiser areas. Panorama has some really technical rock sections and advanced features with insane views along the way.

Level Up At Thredbo MTB School 

Offering a progressive MTB School with a team of certified PMBIA instructors, it’s all about taking your downhill riding skills to the next level at Thredbo MTB Park! Whether you’re getting started with an Intro to MTB session, refining your skills in a MTB Fundamentals clinics on the beginner trails, or advancing through our MTB Progression clinics and Private Lessons, there’s a clinic to suit every kind of rider. For the girls, our one-day Gravity Girls Clinics are an awesome way to find your new riding crew, offering a supportive environment that’s all about skill progression and uplifting each other.  

Hot tip? Book a private MTB clinic with up to 3 people starting from only $219!

Where To Stay

Thredbo Village offers a wide range of conveniently located accommodation options to suit everyone’s needs. 

Our top picks:

• Thredbo Alpine Hotel: Located 200m from Thredbo’s lifts and trails with secure bike storage, enjoy ultimate convenience, stunning mountain views and cozy alpine charm.
• Thredbo Alpine Apartments: With one, two and three-bedroom options, the fully self-contained Thredbo Alpine Apartments are perfect for groups and families. 
• Riverside Cabins: Comfortable and fully self-equipped, take in peaceful river views at the secluded Riverside Cabins.

Hot tip? Keep an eye on the Special Deals page on Thredbo’s website which is constantly being updated with new accommodation offers.

Off Bike Adventures

It’s not all about mountain biking! Thredbo has a huge stack of other mountain adventures to try while you’re there. 

Our must-dos include taking an adrenaline-spiking ride on the brand-new Alpine Coaster – the first one in the Southern Hemisphere, a hike to Australia’s highest peak – Mt Kosciuszko, a round of golf on Australia’s highest golf course and fly fishing in the Thredbo River. 

Hot tip: Upgrade your MTB lift pass to an adventure pass to enjoy an Alpine Coaster ride, golf, tennis and Leisure Centre access from only $10 extra for kids aged 3-7 and $20 extra for everyone aged 8 years and over

In The Village 

Conveniently located at the base of the mountain, jump straight off your bike to explore everything Thredbo Village has to offer. With a wide range of shops, restaurants and bars, you’ll find lots of great spots to unwind after a big day of riding. 

We love checking out the latest gear at Thredbo Retail, getting in a workout at the Leisure Centre, kicking back in the sun on the Local Pub deck, grabbing a quick salad roll from The Bakery or heading to Cascades Restaurant for a gourmet feed.  

Check The Calendar Before Booking

Thredbo’s events calendar is pumping all summer long! Offering a huge lineup of action-packed MTB events, live music concerts, festivals and more, make sure to check the calendar when picking your dates to visit! 

Our pick? Thredbo’s Cannonball Festival is a bucket list event for all enthusiast riders! Whether you’re competing or spectating, the electric atmosphere created by the community during this week of on-and-off track celebrations is an incredible experience. The Cannonball MTB Festival is returning in 2025 from February 10 – 15.

See the full events calendar at thredbo.com.au/events.

School Holiday Fun

With kids clinics, events and more, Thredbo MTB Park becomes the ultimate family destination in school holidays! 

For kids aged 5 – 13, make sure to book them in for a 2-day Gravity Groms program at Thredbo MTB School. With beginner, intermediate and advanced rider levels, they’ll make new friends while advancing their skills in a safe and fun environment. The best part? Mum and dad can spend two whole days of quality time riding together!

During school holidays, Thredbo’s Kids Adventure Festivals offer families a huge lineup of free events and entertainment everyday with festive celebrations, arts & crafts, cooking classes, face painting, sports sessions, movie nights and more. The perfect way to cap off a big day of riding!  

Hot tip: Thredbo Rental offers 20″ & 24″ dual suspension bike options for kids to rent but be sure to book in advance during peak periods like school holidays to avoid missing out.

Plan your mountain biking holiday now at thredbo.com.au.