The Kosciuszko Chairlift at Thredbo runs every day of the year, and it’s the standard starting point for the Mount Kosciuszko summit walk. This guide covers the lift’s specs, current hours, how to book a ticket, what’s waiting at the top, the walk it leads to, and where to stay nearby if you want an early start before the crowds.
Kosciuszko Chairlift Overview
The Kosciuszko Chairlift is a four-seat lift that carries riders from Thredbo Village up to Eagles Nest, on the Ramshead Range above the village. Locals and the resort itself also call it the Kosciuszko Express.
- Length: ~1.8km
- Vertical rise: 560 metres
- Ride time: ~15 minutes one way
- Season: Open year-round
In winter it’s a ski lift. From spring through autumn it switches to scenic and hiking duty, carrying walkers to the start of the Mount Kosciuszko summit track and mountain bikers to the top of the Thredbo Mountain Bike Park.
Current lift status is always confirmed on Thredbo’s official site before you head up. The lift ticket for summer riders is called the Scenic Pass, detailed on Thredbo’s summer passes page.
| Detail | Current information |
|---|---|
| Hours | 09:00 – 16:00 daily |
| Ticket price | 49 – 59 AUD per adult 15 AUD per child (5 – 17 yrs) |
| Where to buy | Thredbo Guest Services The Thredbo Sports Office Online at shop.thredbo.com.au |
| Required | A MyThredbo Card (available for a small fee if you don’t already hold one) |
Book online before you arrive to skip the counter queue, or buy on the day at the Thredbo Sports Office near the chairlift base. Prices and hours are seasonal and can change at short notice, especially around wind events or maintenance days, so confirm both directly with Thredbo before you plan your morning around them.
3 Reasons to Take the Mt Kosciuszko Express Chairlift
Eagles Nest Restaurant and the Alpine Views
Eagles Nest sits at the top of the chairlift at 1,937 metres, making it Australia’s highest restaurant.
- Address: Top Of Kosciuszko Chairlift Kosciuszko Express, Quad Chair, Thredbo
- Opening hours: 09:00 – 15:00 daily
The exact opening hours vary by weather and lift operations, so plan your ride up and check updated information at Eagles Nest before you go.
The dining room and deck give a 270-degree view across the Thredbo Valley and the Ramshead Range. The menu runs from a quick lunch to a full meal, with wine and beer if you’re not driving back down that afternoon.
If you’re not hiking, you can ride up, eat at Eagles Nest, and ride straight back down without setting foot on a trail.
Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walkway
From the top of the chairlift, the walk to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko is 13km return and takes 4 to 5 hours, according to NSW National Parks. Most of it runs on raised metal boardwalk, so the surface is easy even though the distance and altitude make it a genuine day out rather than a stroll. Pack accordingly, since this is an alpine walk, not a paved lookout loop.
About 4km along, the trail passes Cootapatamba Lookout, which looks down on Lake Cootapatamba, the highest lake on the Australian mainland. The red-roofed Cootapatamba Hut nearby is an emergency shelter, not a place to plan a stop. Wildflowers peak from late January to early February, when marsh marigolds and silver snow daisies line the track, though snow patches can still sit across sections of the path into early summer.
Before you go, a few things worth building into your plan:
- No dogs are allowed on the summit track.
- The chairlift can pause temporarily in high wind, which pushes back your start time. Build in a buffer rather than timing the walk to the minute.
- A Kosciuszko National Park vehicle entry fee applies on top of your chairlift ticket. Current rates are on NSW National Parks’ fees page.
- Check current trail conditions before you leave, since alpine weather changes fast even in summer.
If you’d rather build this into a wider hiking trip, our guide to Snowy Mountains hiking covers the other trails accessible from Thredbo and Jindabyne.
Mountain Biking in Kosciuszko National Park
Once the snow season comes to a close, the Thredbo mountain biking blossoms, offering optimal weather conditions during the warmer months from November to March. When riding professional gravity or downhill trails, you can use the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift to transport the bike uphill and save energy.
One notable event is the annual Snowies Mountain Biking Festival, boasting a $5,000 prize pool and featuring over 150 kilometers of terrain spanning across the Snowy Mountains within the Thredbo and Lake Cracken resorts.
For newer bikers unfamiliar with the trails, we recommend checking out the map of available trails in the park. You can also get even more ideas about things to do in Kosciuszko National Park here if you want to make it a day trip or spend more time exploring the area.
Where to Stay Near the Chairlift
The chairlift base is a short walk from most points in Thredbo Village, so if you’re staying in the village you can walk to the ticket office. If you’re based in Jindabyne, it’s about a 30-minute drive along the Alpine Way to Thredbo.
For a large group planning for Kosciuszko mount experience, Camber Farmhouse is a 40-minute drive from the chairlift base, with capacity going up to 12 guests. Little Rocky Retreat near Lake Crackenback puts you a short drive from Thredbo if you’d rather stay somewhere quieter and still be close enough for an early start. Traveling along the Alpine route from Jindabyne to Thredbo offers a perfect scenic drive experience.
Conclusion
Whether you’re walking the full 13km to the summit or just riding up for the view and a meal at Eagles Nest, the Kosciuszko Chairlift is one of the few Snowy Mountains attractions that delivers on a clear day and a windy one alike. Check current hours and the Scenic Pass price directly with Thredbo before you go, then build your stay around an early start.
Find your Snowy Mountains home in Thredbo Village or Lake Crackenback and you can be at the chairlift base before the first queue forms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a chairlift all the way to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko?
No. The chairlift stops at Eagles Nest, on the Ramshead Range, well short of the actual summit. From there it’s a 13km return walk on foot, mostly on raised boardwalk, to reach the top of Mount Kosciuszko at 2,228 metres. The chairlift simply removes the first and steepest section of the climb from Thredbo Village.
Can you hike to Mount Kosciuszko without taking the chairlift?
Yes. The alternative route starts at Charlotte Pass and covers an 18.6km return, taking 6 to 8 hours, longer than the Thredbo route via the chairlift. Some hikers walk the full climb from Thredbo Village on foot instead of riding up, though this adds real distance and altitude gain before reaching Eagles Nest. Most day walkers use the chairlift to save energy for the walk itself.
Do I need a Kosciuszko National Park pass as well as a chairlift ticket?
Yes, they’re separate. Kosciuszko National Park charges a motor vehicle entry fee on top of any chairlift or lift pass you buy from Thredbo Resort. You can pay the park fee at the entry booth, the Jindabyne visitor centre, or online through NSW National Parks before you arrive, and it applies whether or not you ride the chairlift.
Is the chairlift worth it if you’re not hiking?
Yes. The ride alone justifies the ticket for most visitors, even without walking a single step of the summit track. Fifteen minutes up gives you the same Thredbo Valley views hikers get, and Eagles Nest is a genuine destination in its own right rather than a consolation prize.
