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As skiers turn their attention to the northern hemisphere, Ikon Pass has just revealed what’s new across its 70+ destinations for winter 26/27.

A childhood dream, a decade-long promise to her son and one snowy afternoon in Queenstown combined to create the most emotional moment of Lisa Hollinshead’s travelling life. “Mum, hurry up!” Albie had already disappeared into the snow before I’d even zipped my jacket. For ten years he’d dreamed about this moment. Not the ski lesson. Not the chairlift. Just real snow. I watched him launch himself face-first into a snowbank, laughing so hard he could barely breathe.

Affordable, state of the art resort technology, safe, family-friendly and incredible accommodation and food options in a village setting. Could this be your next family trip with your kids? Complete our Beidahu Package Finder via the link below, and our Australia-based team will recommend the most suitable option for your dates and group. CLICK HERE Beidahu is one of China’s premier ski destinations, known for reliable snow, varied terrain and a long ski season.

China isn’t the first place that comes to mind when Australians think about snow travel but maybe it should be. Plan it right and combine it with sightseeing in Beijing or the Great Wall of China, and you get a glimpse into a civilisation shaped over thousands of years, where ancient traditions, culture and history still underpin the modern experience. Tucked into the mountains of Jilin Province, Beidahu Ski Resort is a destination that feels surprisingly familiar.

Pat Orford from Byron Bay talks us through his first heli-riding experience when staying in Wānaka, New Zealand recently. Pat is an advanced snowboarder, but nothing quite prepared him for his first heli-skiing experience with Harris Mountains Heli-Ski, flying from Wānaka. “I was really nervous. I thought I was going to die because I’d never done it before and didn’t know what to expect – he laughs.” One of his biggest concerns was avalanche safety.

Deep in the mountains of Japan, where storms roll in from Siberia and blanket the landscape in the lightest powder on earth, we invite you to experience something truly rare. This is not just a ski trip. This is a LUX week in Japan, where the powder adventure meets ancient culture, and intensity meets deep restoration. A unique, all-women ski experience designed for those who want more: More depth More challenge More connection More magic Japan is legendary for a reason.

There is something magical about crisp winter mornings. The air feels sharp and clean, the alpine peaks tower white against blue sky, every breath turns to mist. The kind of conditions that wake your senses up before the first sip of coffee…But as any outdoor lover knows, enjoying the elements comes down to one simple rule: staying comfortable. Whether you are carving up fresh tracks, chasing summit sunsets or hiking along wind-swept lakeshores, performance apparel can make or break the experience.

There are ski destinations that work hard to impress you then there are places that let the skiing and environment do the talking. For Australian skier Jonathan Case, his first trip to the Wanaka region and Treble Cone was a revelation, largely because of how little competition there was for the good stuff. “The biggest surprise was just how few people were out there given how good it is,” says Case, who travelled with a tight group of close friends, all capable skiers and riders.

G’day mate. You hear that a lot in Whistralia. It gets that nickname because it seems like most of the staff on the mountain are Australians. You also meet lots of very happy Aussies on the ski lifts. Although sometimes they do look a little bewildered, because the mountain is ginormous. Actually, it’s two mountains: Whistler and Blackcomb, which are connected by the spectacular PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola.

We left camp around 8 AM. Irie decided to stay back due to feeling incredibly sick. Her body gave in on her. Period cramps combined with a bad stomach bug did not allow any room for flexibility. She had to stay behind and I know that crushed her on the inside. After putting in so much work to get to that point, between the permits, logistics, flights, gear and all the money, it’s not easy to say goodbye to your objective. So the summit team was Isi, me, and Marko as our filmer.