Dead Horse Gap to Ramshead
One of the most commonly used tracks in the area for backcountry skiing and boarding
Moderate Ski Touring
- Distance
- 4.3 km
- Ascent
- 637 m
- Descent
- 18 m
Australia's Highest Adventures : Kosciuszko Ski Tours
Ski tour to the top of Australia from the legendary Thredbo resort!
Freeride Skiing, Ski Touring Easy, Moderate, Difficult, Severe
Description
Australia might not be blessed with many huge peaks but it's one of the few countries in the World whose highest mountain can be ski toured easily in a half day hit. Mount Kosciuszko is 2228 metres but can be ascended without too much effort by starting from the lift system at Thredbo ski area; one of Australia's premier mountain destinations.
Ski touring Kosciuszko isn't just about summit bagging - the mountain is home to some really fun freeride terrain and we've covered some of the best lines through it in this guidebook. Having reached the summit, spending the rest of the exploring the various faces and bowls below it will provide an excellent day of skiing.
We've also included some superb adventures on Kosciuszko's neighbouring peaks, including Ram's Head and South Ram's Head, both of which have brilliant ski lines from their summits. For those who only want to put in minimal effort for their lines, you'll also find details of Dead Horse Gap Run - a brilliant freeride line which is accessed via the shortest of walks from the lift system.
Whether you're a peak bagger who wants to tick Australia's highest point, or simply a skier who wants some smile-inducing freeride, this guidebook has got you covered!
Routes included
South Ramshead
The rocky peak drops into mellow gladed terrain, which holds the snow tremendously well
Moderate Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 1.4 km
- Ascent
- 56 m
- Descent
- 255 m
Southerly Ramshead
A great entry run into the backcountry with a relatively gentle gradient, above and below the tree line, featuring nicely spaced gums lower down for some tree skiing.
Moderate Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 1.7 km
- Ascent
- 32 m
- Descent
- 401 m
The Corrie
Steep and rocky, leading into a more open bowl down to Leatherbarrel Creek
Severe Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 1.1 km
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 334 m
The Couloir
Starting on the summit of the Ramshead and heading the major drainage gully to the north, dropping down to Leatherbarrel Creek
Difficult Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 1 km
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 360 m
The Spur
The most vertical you will find in the valley, following the western spur from the Ramshead.
Moderate Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 1.2 km
- Ascent
- 9 m
- Descent
- 429 m
The Golden Gully
Golden rocks at the top of a continuous fall line down to Leatherbarrel Creek, provides some fantastic skiing with options from the Ramshead into the gully.
Difficult Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 1.3 km
- Ascent
- 1 m
- Descent
- 320 m
The Cleft Rock Run
Further south down the valley from the likes of The Spur, this run provides some nice turns amongst the trees down to Leatherbarrel Creek
Difficult Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 1.3 km
- Ascent
- 20 m
- Descent
- 387 m
Twin Hump
Dropping Eastwards down towards Leatherbarrel Creek
Difficult Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 0 m
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 0 m
North Twin East Face
Dropping sharply towards the north east of the Northern Twin Hump, this rolls down and mellows before hitting Leatherbarrel Creek.
Difficult Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 742 m
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 252 m
Kosciuszko South Face
Involving a kilometre of fairly flat skiing to the south, the run then drops down the sheltered southern side of Kosciuszko.
Moderate Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 2.4 km
- Ascent
- 20 m
- Descent
- 273 m
Western Face
The western flanks of Kosciuszko, the steepest skiing on the mountain other than the areas beneath the cornice
Moderate Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 1.2 km
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 280 m
Kosciuszko Eastern Face
The mellow eastern face of Kosciuszko
Moderate Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 1 km
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 171 m
North East Face
The north eastern face of Australia's highest peak, Mt Kosciuszko, this lee slope is one of the earliest skiable slopes in Australia.
Moderate Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 1.9 km
- Ascent
- 1 m
- Descent
- 288 m
The Racecourse (North)
Another classic off piste run, with incredible views down the valley to boot.
Difficult Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 1.1 km
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 262 m
The Racecourse (South)
A real favourite in the right conditions, a great gullied run from the shoulder of Townsend down to Lake Albina.
Difficult Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 1.2 km
- Ascent
- 3 m
- Descent
- 242 m
Townsend West Spur
Really nice terrain giving way to gladed areas at a nice sustained pitch.
Moderate Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 2.3 km
- Ascent
- 31 m
- Descent
- 471 m
Townsend West Face
From the summit of Townsend, this run provides 500 metres of continuous fall line, some of the highest on the range
Difficult Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 1.6 km
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 445 m
Karels T-bar to Koscuiszko Access
An incredible tour through the unique true Australian alpine area from Thredbo to Kosciuszko
Easy Ski Touring
- Distance
- 4.9 km
- Ascent
- 265 m
- Descent
- 80 m
Mt Townsend to Alice Rawson Peak
Head east then head north along the ridge line towards Alice Rawson Peak
Easy Ski Touring
- Distance
- 970 m
- Ascent
- 56 m
- Descent
- 23 m
East Simkin
Your choice of one of two gullies heading east from Simkin Peak
Moderate Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 837 m
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 230 m
North East Simkin
A relatively featureless and faceless area, providing a nice gentle pitch rolling into steeper terrain towards Leatherbarrel creek
Moderate Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 1 km
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 153 m
Southern Twin Face
Providing a steep entry then into sheltered gladed terrain, this area can hold some surprisingly good skiing
Moderate Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 802 m
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 240 m
Karels T-bar to Ramshead
A short distance to the west from Karels T-Bar to the Ramshead
Easy Ski Touring
- Distance
- 2 km
- Ascent
- 145 m
- Descent
- 14 m
Dead Horse Gap Run
A local favourite, dropping 400 vertical metres not too far from Thredbo dropping down to Dead Horse Gap car park.
Moderate Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 4.1 km
- Ascent
- 44 m
- Descent
- 532 m
Kosciuszko to Townsend
The link between the two highest mountains in Australia, amazing views and a good ol' skin.
Easy Ski Touring
- Distance
- 4.2 km
- Ascent
- 208 m
- Descent
- 240 m
Townsend West Gully
Heading west off the summit of Townsend this drops into the bowl left towards Abbott Peak
Moderate Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 1.8 km
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 493 m
Alice's Hook
Heading north west, then hooking southwest off Alice Rawson Peak, this run provides fews and the vertical to boot.
Difficult Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 1.5 km
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 468 m
Rawson's West
Leading off the north spur to the west with wide lines available and views out across the plains
Moderate Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 1.4 km
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 450 m
Leatherbarrel Creek Return to Ramshead
Following Leatherbarrel Creek back up to Ramshead, which can be very useful to return to Thredbo.
Moderate Ski Touring
- Distance
- 3.7 km
- Ascent
- 570 m
- Descent
- 39 m
Ian's Gully
450 vertical metres of well graded skiing down towards Lady Northcote Canyon
Difficult Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 918 m
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 381 m
The Alice Rawson Run
A fantastic run with consistent fall line from Alice Rawson Peak, down into Lady Northcote Canyon
Difficult Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 1.3 km
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 550 m
Avalanche Alley
Off Townsend North Spur, this run follows a steep drainage gully eastwards into Lady Northcote Canyon.
Difficult Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 960 m
- Ascent
- 14 m
- Descent
- 424 m
Southerly Ramshead to South Ramshead
A very simple traverse from the Southerly Ramshead (as labelled on the map) to the South Ramshead which is due south.
Easy Ski Touring
- Distance
- 1.1 km
- Ascent
- 28 m
- Descent
- 69 m
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