Conditions in Australia rarely fall below -5°C (even with wind chill), so your ski clothing doesn’t need to be rated much below this. In fact, you will probably find that you might be a bit hot in your northern hemisphere ski clothing, particularly on sunny days!
You need to ensure that your ski or snowboard clothing and equipment is comfortable, waterproof and doesn’t restrict your movement. The snow in Australia can be quite wet, so it is very important to have waterproof clothing.
If you are snowboarding or skiing, you will need waterproof snowboard pants and snowboard jacket with a t-shirt underneath (or if you get cold a long sleeve shirt under the t-shirt). You will also need a scarf or neck warmer, waterproof gloves (mitten style is probably better for snowboarding), thick comfortable socks, beanie and snowboard goggles.
If you have little kids, then bib and brace or all in one style ski clothing is probably better, as this will stop them from collecting snow under their jacket when they fall over.
A helmet is a very good idea for Australian ski conditions regardless of your ski and snowboarding experience, particularly as the snow can turn quite icy in patches and there are quite a few rocks (large boulders and smaller rocks) on the ski fields.
Regardless of whether or not you hire or have your own equipment, it is very important that you have well fitting ski or snowboard boots, bindings and skis or snowboard. If your ski or snowboard equipment doesn’t fit correctly, then you will have a very uncomfortable holiday.
Some of the best brands on offer in Australia include Burton (for Burton ski/snowboard jackets and pants, gloves, clothing, boards, boots and bindings and other equipment), Rossignol (for Rossignol skis, race skis, ski boots and bindings, ski jackets and other ski clothing), Fischer (for Fischer skis, race skis and ski boots), Head (for head skis and head ski boots and other ski equipment) and Atomic (for Atomic skis, race skis, ski boots and bindings).
The best time to pick up discounted ski clothing and ski equipment is at the end of the ski season, which, in Australia is around about October. Generally discounts on ski jackets, ski pants, ski clothing, snowboards and skis are quite generous, with some stores offering up to 50% off during ski sales.
Amazon.com offers great discounts on Burton