It takes about seven hours to get to Thredbo if you factor in a few pit stops to refuel along the way. Thredbo is located about 5.5 hours from either Sydney or Melbourne and two and a half hours drive from Canberra. You can pick up a day and multiday park entry pass from the Thredbo Visitor Centre or NPWS vehicle-entry station. But snow bunnies will find better value with the purchase of an NPWS Annual All Parks Pass, which can be bought online ahead of time. If you’re coming from further afield, like Brisbane, you can always fly Qantas direct to Canberra Airport, just 2.5 hours away from Thredbo. Pick up a rental car from the Snowy Mountains Airport or take the shuttle bus.

Avoid the lift lines and make a straight downhill run on skis to Black Sallees off the top of the Crackenback Supertrail. From here, you can contemplate the ice cream bowl of a mountain from the sun-drenched deck. Or cosy up around the fireplace with a glass of gluhwein. Order a katsu chicken curry with a side of peking duck spring rolls so you can casually flex to fellow skiers about your time spent in Japan. thredbo.com.au

At 1937 metres, Eagles Nest is Australia’s highest restaurant. It’s adjacent to the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift top station, which has been a fixture on the mountain for decades. It’s the ultimate rooftop restaurant, with 270-degree views of mountains wrapped in a rumpled white blanket every winter. Keep it simple and have a Rueben toastie or deli board with a few cheeky vinos. rydges.com

T Bar leans into its location in Thredbo Village with a menu of local alpine produce sourced from the Snowy Mountains. T Bar is giving woolshed and popular with families of snowboarding teens who need to refuel after spending the day flinging themselves downhill. The Italian eatery specialises in hearty dishes such as gnocchi (the g is silent people), risotto, pappardelle con ragu. Do order the devilishly good Diavola given a kick with circles of Calabrese salami. tbar-restaurant.com.au

Don’t worry, be schnappy. The atmospheric Wildbrumby Distillery Door & Café is just a short Uber ride out of Thredbo and absolutely worth the small talk with your driver. The squat building has been cobbled together out of glass and tin and pays tribute to the beauty of utility. The distillery was founded by Brad Spalding, a former ski instructor, and his wife Monika, whose grandfather was a distiller in Austria. The couple marry traditional distilling methods with local sourced botanicals to create a range of schnapps, gin and vodka. wildbrumby.com

Merritts Mountain Haus is an essential stop for seasoned snow bunnies. Gear up early to get on the high-speed gondola bound for Merritts Mountain Haus. If you need a hearty meal, the Haus specials include beef goulash or winter soup with focaccia soldiers. The beef brisket burger with cheese, slaw and pickles will also sort you out. Sit outside on a sunshine-y day to soak up the views and vibes. Don’t miss schnappy hour. rydges.com

Ugg boots are an acceptable form of footwear in Thredbo. Join your fellow ski bums at the Alpine Bar to enjoy a few Kosciuszko Pale Ale schooeys under the stars. The sprawling courtyard is a popular place to unwind after a day spent on the mountain. Expect DJs and live bands and a line-up of big-name artists to take centre stage during Apres at the Alpine Bar. thredbo.com.au

Follow the sound of mariachi music to The Mad Mexican in the heart of Thredbo Village. The eatery in the House of Ullr is a fun place to take the family for a feast of spicy chicken wings, sweet potato fries, and beef barbacoa tacos. Shrug off your Kathmandu parka and commandeer a spot at the communal table where you can wax lyrical about your run time over a few spicy margs. houseofullr.com.au

Cascades caters to visiting shredders who come here each season for the signature Sunday roast. Show off your new designer boots at the fine diner known for elevated options such as hazelnut and almond crumb pork cutlet with mint pea sauce or the grain-fed porterhouse. Don’t peak before your dessert of decadent lemon panna cotta. Cascades is popular with guests of the Thredbo Alpine Hotel for its over-the-top buffet breakfast. thredbo.com.au

A leisurely day skiing with a moderate amount of effort burns about 300-400 calories an hour. That gives us license to carb-load on pizza. Alpine Pizzeria is adjacent to the Thredbo Alpine Hotel in Thredbo Village. And those with an adventure-first attitude should ignore that little snobby voice inside their head and give the ham and pineapple pizza a go. Or pair the spicy pepperoni pizza with a bucket of Balters. Noice. thredbo.com.au

The Local is also a top spot for a slap-up dinner of gnocchi with beef ragu or a chicken parmie. The pub has the largest balcony in Thredbo so grab your beanie and enjoy the scenery during happy hour, from 3.30-5pm every Monday to Friday. Hard launch your new situationship here over a few glasses of shiraz around the fireplace. Alternatively, dress like one of the Peaky Blinders and sign up for the Friday night Pool Comp, which kicks off at 7.30pm every Friday. thredbo.com.au

Can’t afford the airfare for a season in Kitzbühel, Austria? Console yourself on a chilly evening by dredging wodges of bread through a creamy oozing puddle of cheesy fondue, the signature dish at Candlelight Lodge. Candlelight Lodge has been a fixture for families visiting Thredbo Village for the past 50 years. Make sure you book a table on a Saturday evening when skiers descend the slopes in a synchronised formation for the weekly flare run, which is followed by fireworks at 6pm during the ski season. candlelightlodge.com.au

You’ve checked the cams and the forecast is grim. Don’t be piste off. Give yourself permission to take the day off and linger in the Lounge Bar instead. Order the Watermelon Sugar cocktail if you don’t mind giving yourself an ear worm of that hit song of the same name by Harry Styles. Feel smug that you’re not ascending to the top of the summit with a dry martini in hand. Snuggle up near the fire crackling away in the centre of the room over an alpine board of cheese and charcuterie. The bar is at the Thredbo Alpine Hotel. thredbo.com.au

Make some snow angels before popping into this Friday Flat hut for a donut. It’s worth eating one donut on the spot and stuffing one in the pocket of your puffer to reward your little one for learning the basics on the beginner slopes. The Donut & Coffee Hut also does the best hot chocolate in Thredbo. You can order the donuts filled with jam or dusted with cinnamon. thredbo.com.au

Australia’s most iconic on-snow eatery sits in a fold of the valley above the snow line in Thredbo village. Roll straight off the slopes into the Euro-inspired restaurant where dishes such as the pappardelle lamb ragu or crispy pork knuckle with butter mash will aid recovery. Hats off to the Hutte for its Kareela Snowcat Dinner or Kareela Supper Club, which include a snowcat ride under the stars. thredbo.com.au