Newest Hot Spots in the Snow

Sleep Over in New South Wales
Ed Denny is a host you want at your party. The debonair Irishman and his equally delightful wife, Judy, are the names behind Thredbo’s The Denman boutique hotel. Come 5 p.m. and the hotel’s basement apres bar fills to the brim with thirsty skiers and boarders who are celebrating their descent down Thredbo’s Supertrail in one piece.

You’ll find Ed mixing it with guests and locals alike in the den of stylish iniquity complete with an amber quartz top bar. You’ll find him again upstairs at The Terrace restaurant working the room with a smile and a nod.

Don’t miss the hotel’s day spa. A head massage and pedicure is the perfect antidote to a night out in Thredbo.

Ski in and Spa out in Victoria
The sister ski resorts of Falls Creek and Hotham in the Victorian Alps are considered snow spa central this winter.

Ski into the Mii Spa at Falls Creek for a bone-soothing dip in the private plunge pool or a Rubber Leg Rescue 50-minute massage treatment for tired ski legs. Mii Spa is part of the uber-cool Quay West Resort, which opened last season with a prime chairlift base location and the funky tomdickandharry’s cafe and bar so guests can ski, spa then bar.

Across the Australian Alps sits Mt. Hotham’s luxury Dinner Plain enclave found amongst the snow gum plains at the base of the mountain road. The village may look quintessential Australian but it serves up a slice of Asian spa delight at the Dinner Plain Onsen Retreat and Spa. Soak in the heated outdoor Onsen spa pool as snowflakes fall overhead, or retreat to a spa therapy room for some private downtime.

Bar up in Queenstown, New Zealand

Queenstown is an alpine shrine to cocktail design. If it can be stirred, mixed or shaken and served up in a martini glass, you’ll find it in this ski town. Be warned, you’ll need your wits about you with over 150 licensed establishments in one square kilometre.

You can wander the cobbled lanes and pedestrian alleys or take our word for it: The Yacht Club on the wharf is perfect for late afternoon gin and tonics in the sun, while Eichardt’s House Bar is a nice start to the night with sunset views.

Bardeaux is an intimate bar with an open fire that looks far tamer than it is. Mini Bar is exactly as its name implies -- the smallest bar in town -- so expect to make new friends. Lastly, the Spire Champagne Bar will fill your night with bubbles and jazz.

If you’re looking for a funky crowd, Barmuda’s outside fireside terrace is a good option, while the swanky The Bunker Bar is the place to be later in the evening, as the resident DJ plays smooth tunes.

If you make it through the night, recover with a long lunch at Amisfield Winery and some fine New Zealand pinot.

Snow Beautiful
The skiing and apres life can take a toll on the body, so make sure you drink loads of water. Winter conditions also play havoc with the skin, sucking the moisture and life out of it. Plus, snow reflects the sun’s glare and can lead to painful sunburn and unattractive goggle tans. To combat the elements and look your best this ski season, make sure you slather your face with SPF 30 sunscreen that contains a hydrating moisture base. Keep a lip balm stick in your pocket at all times and wear polarised sunglasses or goggles to reduce crow’s feet, caused by squinting.