I stayed here with my brother and my 2 older teenage kids for a short break (5 nights) to ski at Perisher. We flew to Canberra and its about a 2.5 hour drive.

We had a quad room which was on the 3rd floor (top floor). It had a small entrance hall, bathroom/toilet and bedroom. There is no lift (the website warns you of this). The room had 4 single beds (as requested), a wardrobe (no doors), a chair, a bedside cabinet and a shelf unit. Tea and coffee making facilities were provided. The chalet has a bar with entertainment provided most (if not all) evenings, a lounge area and swimming pool with sauna. There is also a large car park.

There is also ski hire available at the chalet (which we didn't use) and transportation provided to/from Perisher during peak season (which you "book" by writing your name on a list in reception). There is a drying room for your damp ski kit.

The room decor and chalet in general feels a little "tired" and could do with modernisation, however, it is clean and maintained. The room itself was large enough to accomodate the 4 of us, but there wasn't much room to spare. It would have been nice to have had more easily accessible storage for clothes. A bedside lamp or two would also have been good. I also found the room was rather cool even with the heater on full (the bar and lounge area downstairs were lovely and warm). The changing room in the pool was very cold and I would recommend that you try and limit/avoid changing here.

The cost of the stay includes food and I must say that the food was "homely" but very very good. There was more than enough to satisfy hungry tired teenagers!

The staff and owners were EXTREMELY friendly and were very keen to promote a "large family" atmosphere. They made sure that single travellers didn't get left on their own. I also found the other residents very friendly and chatty (I'm a Brit). My brother (from Adelaide) said he didn't fnd the other residents all that friendly as people are in Adelaide and said that was probably because many were from Sydney/Melbourne areas. The evenings in the bar were most pleasant.

Having transport was also great and meant that we didn't have to drive up and try and park. I think this can be a challenge at some weekends. But it is quite a drive (20 or so Kms) to Jindabyne if you want any shopping etc. The chalet in is the Kosciusko National Park and you will have to pay park fees (around $30 AUS per car per day up to a max of about $200 AUS). Also many car hire companies exclude access to the park in their agreement so you have to make sure that you tell them/pay extra. You also have to have snow chains in the park (unless you have a 4x4). You can hire these 24x7 in Jindabyne at about $20 AUS per day.

It was a great place to stay for a first visit and I would be happy to stay here again. But I think if I was to go back again, I would stay in Jindabyne (more basic, cheaper accomodation) and then get the ski tube up to Perisher from Bullocks Flats (about 24km from Jindabyne). You can get a combined skitube/lift pass ticket which includes access to the park which is not that much more than the cost of a lift pass alone. I am not sure how busy it gets though at peak times. The tube runs virtually all day and night so you can go up/come down when you like rather than beng restricted to pre-set times. There is plenty of free parking at the bottom of the ski tube and you don't need to hire the snow chains then.

If you are bringing your own 4x4 then using Sponars may well work out more cost effective.

But lets not forget that I liked the chalet and the staff and food are fabulous!

We stayed at the Sponar lodge for 4 nights with 2 children (one toddler and one 5 years old). Its not a luxurious place but its not basic either, great middle range when you don't want to rough it but not break the bank. The room were very adequate , the food was homely and importantly the shared area were great. the owners are very friendly and make you feel extreemely welcome. The ig bonus was a heated pool and steam room which was great after the long day on the slopes...
Its only 5 mins by car from Perisher main lifts and they also provide a courtesy bus in full season. We were there at the begining of the season so it was 50% full but I can imaine that even full its very confortable. We will be back.