Story by Brandon
Shoulder-Season Snowies
Adventure in Jindabyne, Snowy Mountains, NSW, AU
Held in the hearts of many as the go-to weekend jaunt for keen skiers and snowboarders during winter, Jindabyne is about a five-hour drive south of Sydney, or two hours from Canberra. 'Jindy', as its known, sits at a humble 915 metres above sea level and is skirted by the Snowy Mountains (Kunama Namadgi), so you’ll typically see snow hanging around up high over the Main Range as late as November or December. It often snows in town during winter and you’re high enough that you'll be greeted with the most amazing sunrises and sunsets – remember, you’re on the highest part of the continent.
Given we’d only ever been to Jindabyne during winter to snowboard at Perisher or Thredbo, there were some solid adventure boxes waiting to be ticked. We’d heard whispers of how fun it is to ride trails in the area, on both horseback and bike, and to hike or try catch a few elusive salmon or trout. Jindabyne has a laid-back, entirely different vibe during the non-winter months and I'm 100% a convert.
Granada Loft just feels like a warm hug, simply put. The backstory is that of a Spanish migrant families’ winter lodge – built by Jacqui’s (host) parents. Jacqui and her family treasured it so much that, well, they’ve decided to share the love. I can only imagine how many stories were told, and stoked vibes shared, in the lounge area after bluebird snow days. It’s got the bones of an 80s chalet and an epic, recent renovation has turned it into a beautifully serene, warm space with plenty of considerations for keeping yourself well fed and rested. There's a wonderful fireplace, no shortage of firewood for the cool nights, and importantly, plenty of storage (and drying provisions) for outdoor gear.
We found ourselves staring out the windows or off the balcony every morning and evening; watching clouds drift by and change colours, watching stars, imagining backcountry hikes or snowboard turns during winter or ‘mind-riding’ lines for the mountain bike. And when we weren't imagining doing things, we were running ourselves ragged filling the day up as much as we could....
Given we’d only ever been to Jindabyne during winter to snowboard at Perisher or Thredbo, there were some solid adventure boxes waiting to be ticked. We’d heard whispers of how fun it is to ride trails in the area, on both horseback and bike, and to hike or try catch a few elusive salmon or trout. Jindabyne has a laid-back, entirely different vibe during the non-winter months and I'm 100% a convert.
Granada Loft just feels like a warm hug, simply put. The backstory is that of a Spanish migrant families’ winter lodge – built by Jacqui’s (host) parents. Jacqui and her family treasured it so much that, well, they’ve decided to share the love. I can only imagine how many stories were told, and stoked vibes shared, in the lounge area after bluebird snow days. It’s got the bones of an 80s chalet and an epic, recent renovation has turned it into a beautifully serene, warm space with plenty of considerations for keeping yourself well fed and rested. There's a wonderful fireplace, no shortage of firewood for the cool nights, and importantly, plenty of storage (and drying provisions) for outdoor gear.
We found ourselves staring out the windows or off the balcony every morning and evening; watching clouds drift by and change colours, watching stars, imagining backcountry hikes or snowboard turns during winter or ‘mind-riding’ lines for the mountain bike. And when we weren't imagining doing things, we were running ourselves ragged filling the day up as much as we could....
Things We Did
- Bike
- Starry sky
- Horse riding
- Fish
- Walk
- Food & Drink
Start in town and burn your way through to Tyrolean on the Mill Creek trails – all 48 kilometres of them! Expect well-maintained and flowy singletrack, very fun berms and a bit of rock garden business! There's something for everyone, from absolute beginners to seasoned riders, and you're rewarded with epic views back over Lake Jindabyne as the sun is dipping. No ride is complete without a Trail Pale from Colonial Brewing at Holly Go Lightly (on Thredbo Terrace).
We chomped at the opportunity to take some enduro e-MTB's out and leaves you with a smile from ear-to-ear the whole ride. See Steve (local daredevil) at Sacred Ride in town. He'll even come for a burn with you and show you all the trails!...
We chomped at the opportunity to take some enduro e-MTB's out and leaves you with a smile from ear-to-ear the whole ride. See Steve (local daredevil) at Sacred Ride in town. He'll even come for a burn with you and show you all the trails!...
While a multi-day trek sounds amazing, we opted for two hours of getting our 'Man from Snowy River' happening on horseback through the Thredbo Valley wilderness. You'll turn up to the old shearers' shed and get outfitted and matched with your horse. This is exactly the thing to do to clear your head after the working week – a moving meditation of sorts. Moving through creeks, gullies and essentially 'classic Australiana bush', you'll feel all your worries melt away....
Pullover and have a wander. There are many designated walking and riding trails right through the valley, which follow the Thredbo River (which then feeds Lake Jindabyne) and will lead you to grassy, mountainous vistas. If you're lucky, you'll come across a few wombat holes, wallabies, deer and the odd brown trout frequenting the river. I can't speak highly enough of this for those who are visiting the region for the first time....
We'll make it simple for you: Birchwood for coffee, brunch and snacks to load up for the day (let's face it, you'll be eating well). Holly Go Lightly for an arvo beer and more snacks, then Takayama for dinner – easy! The best part is that they're all concentrated within walking distance of Nuggets Crossing shopping centre. Jindabyne Brewing is another honourable mention (although not located in or near Nuggets Crossing)....
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Where we stayed
Things we did
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