View a range of frequently asked questions below from the following topics:
Frequently Asked Questions
Pre Arrival
Planning your next holiday? You've come to the right place
Absolutely, Perisher is the perfect place to start!
As Australia's largest ski resort, Perisher can cater for all experience levels, from "never seen snow" to the experienced black run thrill seekers.
Perisher Valley is approximately a 5-6 hour drive from Sydney, a 6-7 hour drive from Melbourne and only 2-3 hours from Canberra.
Barrakee guests don’t need to drive all the way to Perisher Valley, as the best method of getting to the lodge is via the Ski Tube located at Bullocks Flat. For directions and how to best get to Barrakee click here.
For coach and flying options to the Snowy Mountains please click here.
A true ski-in/ski-out lodge, Barrakee is located on snow in North Perisher, approximately 50 metres from the North Perisher T-Bar and close to the Interceptor Quad Chair.
For directions and how to best get to Barrakee click here.
Barrakee guests enjoy a hearty buffet breakfast served daily between 7:30 and 8:30am. In the evenings, après ski hors d’oeuvres are served in the lounge area during ‘Schnappy Hour’. This is followed by our renowned 3 course gourmet meals prepared by our award winning chef and served in the dining room. Children’s meals are 2 courses.
All guest bookings include over snow transfers to and from the Perisher Valley Ski Tube Terminal on check in and check out days. For those not skiing out, there is a daily transfer from the lodge to get you out onto the mountain, and for those not skiing back in, a transfer back to the lodge in the afternoon.
Definitely call or email us!
Our online booking system is not always able to cope with the multitude of options that guests might seek when booking a holiday.
Please call reservations on +61 (0)466 22 77 25 or email us and we will work with you to find something that works for you.
Unfortunately no.
The Perisher website is the best place to purchase your lift and lessons passes before your arrival or the Perisher Centre in the resort area after arrival. Click here for lift and lesson information at Perisher.
We always recommend hiring your ski gear on the mountain. If you have any issues with your equipment, valuable skiing/boarding time will be saved if it can be repaired or replaced without a trip out of the National Park.
Rhythm Snowline is located on snow at Smiggin Holes and has been servicing Perisher since 1960 as the Valley's premier ski hire shop. All Barrakee guests receive a 10% discount on hire at Rhythm Snowline. Please ask us for more information when making your booking if you require ski hire.
We sure do!
You might be surprised at how many times we are actually asked this question.
The Perisher ski fields are situated inside the boundaries of the Kosciuszko National Park and as such all animals are prohibited by National Parks and Wildlife Service regulations.
Arrival
Excited about your holiday, so are we! Welcome to the Barrakee family
Barrakee guests are met at the Perisher Valley Ski Tube Terminal (PVSTT) at their pre-arranged time and then transported directly to the lodge via our complimentary over snow vehicle.
The lodge managers contact all guests shortly before their arrival date to confirm this pick-up time.
For more information on getting to the PVSTT click here.
The Ski Tube is the easiest way to get to Perisher Valley. It runs from Bullocks Flat to Perisher Valley, and then continues on to Blue Cow.
Bullocks Flat has extensive free parking, is outside the boundary of the National Park - no park fees, no snow chains required, and is located below the snowline - no digging the car out after heavy snow falls. It is an 11 minute ride from Bullocks Flat to the Perisher Valley Ski Tube Terminal where all Barrakee guests are met and transported to the lodge.
Click here to see location of the Bullocks Flat Ski Tube parking area.
For more information on the Ski Tube timetable and fares please see the Perisher website.
Not unless you own a skidoo and a National Parks driver’s license!
Once the season commences National Parks close the road to North Perisher and only allow authorised oversnow vehicles to travel on the road.
Perisher has a day use only carpark and do not allow overnight parking. Park entry fees apply. There are heavy fines for vehicles left overnight.
Check in time is after 3:30pm.
Check out time on your departure day is before 9:30am.
With prior arrangement we are happy to collect your luggage from you on your arrival day at the Perisher Valley Ski Tube Terminal.
Our luggage only collections times are 8:30am, 9:15am or 12:30pm.
Our last shuttle pick up is at 4:45pm. After this time all staff are involved in the dinner service.
Should you miss the last shuttle you can ski back into the lodge or contact Hans Oversnow to arrange transport. Hans Oversnow is the on snow taxi service located in the Perisher Valley Ski Tube Terminal and operates 24hrs/day. See website and fares here.
Dining
Are you a foodie at heart? What you can expect at Barrakee
With sufficient notice we are able to cater for most dietary requirements.
Please inform us when making your booking if you have any special dietary requirements such as allergies, religion, health, or small toddlers for example, as late notice may lead to disappointment.
Barrakee provides breakfasts and evening meals for the duration of your visit. Lunch can be purchased at the lodge (prior arrangement necessary) or at the various food outlets on the mountain. There are no self-catering facilities at the lodge.
If you have special requirements such as religious, health, dietary or small toddlers for example, please discuss this with us prior to arrival and we will help find a solution.
Barrakee is fully licensed and we ask guests not to bring alcohol as it is a violation of this license. We carry a wide range of beverages including champagne, wines, beer, spirits, ciders and liqueurs at very competitive prices.
Non-drinkers may bring non-alcoholic wines to the lodge.
Breakfast is a full hot and cold buffet and is served between 7:30 and 8:30am in the dining room.
It typically includes a selection of the following; juices, tea, coffee, cereal, fruit, yogurt, toast, croissants, bacon, eggs, sausages, grilled vegetables, baked beans and spaghetti.
Children eat at 6:00pm (2 courses) and adults eat at 7:00pm (3 courses).
What is for dinner? ... this is one of the chef's closely guarded secrets and is revealed daily on the notice board in the dining area. Guests eagerly look forward to the surprise and agree it is always worth the wait!
The level of cuisine is such that it is not possible to serve children’s meals at the same time as our adult meals. Children can upgrade to adult meals for an additional cost.
Our experience is that although some parents might be slightly concerned with children eating before the adults, it actually works very well. The kids become friends over their dinner sitting and often go off and play with their new friends afterwards, allowing the adults to enjoy their meals.
Prior notice (before guest arrival) is required if you wish to upgrade your children’s meals to ensure sufficient produce are catered.
Barrakee does not have a dress code and casual/informal wear is perfectly acceptable.
We do ask that guests refrain from frequenting the common areas barefoot for Occupational Health & Safety reasons.
We love celebrations at Barrakee!
We are happy to provide a cake for the occasion if we have sufficient notice. Please inform us when making your booking if you have a special event during your visit.
The Rooms
Everything you want from your room ... and then a little bit more
We offer rooms ranging from 2 share to 6 share. Unfortunately we do not have any single share rooms.
Beds configurations are either king, single (king), or bunk beds (children only). All rooms have en-suites, ample storage and built in cupboards.
Unfortunately we do not. Our smallest room is a twin/king room.
Please contact reservations if you are a single guest and we will try to find a solution that works for you.
All linen is supplied as well as a small amount of toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, moisturiser, soap and a shower cap.
All rooms have ensuites with shower, toilet and hand basin. Hair dryers and extra blankets are also provided.
We have small TV’s in our 4, 5 and 6 share rooms that can play DVD’s only. We have a large DVD collection that is available to all guests. There is no terrestrial TV reception to these TV’s.
There are no fridges in the rooms; however we do have a small refrigerator in the dining room that guests may use. Please note that our COvid Safe Plan requires us to remove our guest fridge - we apologise for any inconvenience. Please see our manager if you need to put any food for babies or medical supplies in the refrigerator.
Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and biscuits are available 24 hours a day in the dining room. Under Covid restrictions we are unable to provide our usual self-serve facilities. We have a wide variety of tea, coffee and hot beverage options available for purchase during breakfast service and evening bar opening hours. Please see our Lodge Manager to discuss alternate arrangements should you require facilities during the day.
All room radiators are set to 3 or medium heat. They can be turned down to 1 or up to 5 based on your needs.
We change towels after 3 nights for a 7 night booking. All rooms are fully serviced and cleaned in between guest check ins in accordance with our usual cleaning processes with additional processes completed under our Covid Operational Plans. Please discuss any additional needs that you may require while in residence.
In Residence
Your home away from home ... let us look after you
When regular snow conditions allow, the quickest way is to walk to the top of the drive, put your skis on, and ski out!
Guests are also able to utilise the complimentary return Barrakee oversnow shuttle services from the lodge to the Perisher Valley Ski Tube Terminal, with the additional option of being dropped off at the Interceptor quad chair on the way.
Many of our guests ski-in and ski-out once regular snow conditions allow.
If there is insufficient snow, guests are able to utilise the complimentary Barrakee shuttle to get them out and back from the slopes.
If you are a beginner, have young children or just don’t want to ski-in or ski-out, our complimentary shuttle service from the lodge to the Perisher Valley Ski Tube Terminal will get you onto the slopes and the afternoon service will see you safely returned to the lodge.
When regular snow conditions allow, you are able to ski back to the front door of the lodge!
Guests are also able to utilise the complimentary Barrakee shuttle service from the Perisher Valley Ski Tube Terminal to the lodge.
Barrakee has 2 large drying rooms for our guests to use.
All boots, gloves, helmets and jackets should be left in the drying rooms when you return from your day on the mountain.
There are some great walks in the Kosciuszko National Park.
Snowshoeing is another option. Our non-skier guests also arrange to meet the rest of their party at either Perisher or take the Ski Tube to Blue Cow for lunch.
Lunch can be purchased at the lodge by pre-ordering with a member of staff at the breakfast sitting. Tea and coffee making facilities are available at the lodge all day - please discuss this with our staff as alternate arrangements are required under our Covid Operational Plan. There are no self-catering facilities at the lodge.
Food is also available at the various food outlets on the mountain.
The lodge has Foxtel in the main lounge area and a TV room with DVD’s for guests to use. There is a collection of books to read as well as cards and board games.
On the ground floor there is a games room for the kids which includes a foosball table, an air hockey table, a handball court as well as a selection of books and board games.
Parents are able to observe their children in the games room from the comfort of the lounge/bar area via a CCTV monitor.
There is also a sauna in the lodge - please note that we are unable to open our sauna under current Covid restrictions.
For those travelling with small children we are able to provide highchairs, porta-cots, toddler toilet seats, baby monitors and nappy disposal bins.
We also have a games room with a selection of age appropriate books and toys and a TV room with a number of junior DVD's.
Parents are able to observe their children in the games room from the comfort of the lounge/bar area via a CCTV monitor.
Of course, you’re on holiday!
You can go out any night; however you would likely miss the dinner service, or have to re-heat it in the microwave upon your return. Ask a member of staff to assist in organising your transport with Hans Oversnow.
General
The other questions we get asked from time to time
Baby: Under 12 months old
Toddler: 1 to 4 years old inclusive
Child: 5 to 14 years old inclusive
We absolutely do! We can cater for groups of varying sizes and ages. Barrakee Ski Lodge is the perfect size for group bookings. Schools, corporate bookings, retreats, a special celebration - wedding or family reunion; whatever the occasion we can tailor a package to meet your needs.
Please call reservations on +61 (0)466 22 77 25 or email us and we will work with you to find something that suits your group.
Barrakee is a proud supporter of the Inter Schools program and regularly have guests whose children are participating in the various competitions. We will always attempt to meet the special needs of these guests.
If you have a child competing, please discuss with us when making your booking.
Mother Nature is one of the things we can’t influence, although all staff are well trained in the art of the snow dance!
Perisher maintain and operate the latest in snow making technology and work very hard once the season opens to make sure there is always somewhere to ski.
Please contact us as soon as possible if this is the case.
We do not offer refunds, except as outlined in our Terms and Conditions, but will always try to assist you and if possible come up with a mutually agreeable resolution.
Please contact us as soon as possible if you need to cancel your booking.
Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details and cancellation policy.
We have complimentary washing machines and dryers for our guests to use.
The lodge phones are manned from 8:00am to 9:00pm each day.
After hours calls will be diverted to the answering machine.
If you are in residence and require urgent assistance and the office is not attended please phone us on 0466 22 77 25 as the staff are likely to be in other areas of the lodge working.
There is a very good medical centre located in the Perisher Valley Ski Tube Terminal. There is also a chemist in the same building for medical supplies. The nearest major hospital is in Canberra.
Barrakee strongly recommends that all guests arrange appropriate insurance cover for the duration of their stay.
Departure
Everything to ensure your departure is as smooth as possible
Check out time on your departure day is before 9:30am.
If you would like to ski on your check out day we are happy to store your luggage for you.
We will then ensure it is available for you to collect as pre-arranged at the Perisher Valley Ski Tube Terminal at 12.30pm or 3.15pm.
Due to tight changeover timeframes, we are unable to offer change rooms or showers to our guests on check out days.
We'd really rather you didn't.
Please check with a member of staff or call reservations on 0466 22 77 25 if you would like to extend your holiday.
If you are unable to find the answer to your question, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Call us at the lodge on 0466 22 77 25, or email us and we will do our best to answer your query.
