From the Snowy Mountains to the Swiss Alps: The Global Ski Pass That Opens New Door
Access to Verbier’s iconic slopes is now included in a pass that already unlocks 75 of the world’s top resorts — and Australians are quietly taking notice.
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Australians planning their next alpine adventure may soon find themselves gazing across the peaks of the Swiss Alps. Verbier 4 Vallées — Switzerland’s premier ski region with sweeping views of the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc — has just become more accessible than ever for local snow lovers.
From high-altitude bowls to off-piste playgrounds, Verbier is famed for its European glamour and world-class terrain.
nd now, for the first time, select Australian travellers will have five consecutive days of access included in their ski season pass — a significant new addition that’s quietly redefining what it means to plan a winter holiday from the Southern Hemisphere.
The inclusion of Verbier joins an already expansive list of global destinations that Australians can tap into with one pass: Whistler Blackcomb in Canada, Hakuba Valley and Rusutsu Resort in Japan, Vail and Park City in the U.S., and the Australian favourites of Perisher, Falls Creek and Hotham.
For those who ski regularly — either locally or abroad — it’s a compelling offering. Not only does the pass cover a vast network of mountains, it comes with perks tailored to travellers: discounts on accommodation, lessons, rentals, dining and more, both in Australia and overseas.
And for more occasional skiers and snowboarders, a new four-day pass has been introduced for use at Perisher, Falls Creek and Hotham. It’s a flexible, lower-commitment option that still brings notable savings compared to single-day lift tickets.
Behind the scenes, this expansion signals a broader shift in the way Australians are approaching winter travel — seeking out global access, exclusive experiences, and curated benefits in place of one-size-fits-all ski trips. As European and North American resorts prepare for a strong northern season, and Australian slopes look to an early winter, timing and access are once again everything.
The current prices are available until April, 23, after which they are expected to increase. But for those already planning ski holidays across multiple continents — or even just dreaming of a long weekend in the Snowy Mountains — it’s a move that puts the world’s most iconic slopes a little closer to home.
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A McLaren Vale Shiraz has beaten more than 100 global rivals to be crowned the world’s best at one of the wine industry’s most respected competitions.
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A $25 bottle of Shiraz from South Australia has achieved something few wines ever do: it has claimed the top spot in a prestigious international competition and outperformed rivals many times its price.
The 2023 Classic Shiraz from Beresford Estate in McLaren Vale was awarded the International Syrah Trophy at the 2026 International Wine Challenge, one of the wine industry’s most respected judging events.
The wine also received 97 points, a Gold Medal and four major trophies, making it the highest-scoring Australian trophy winner in this year’s competition.
The result placed the wine first among 111 Shiraz entries from around the world and ahead of several highly regarded Australian trophy-winning wines.
For wine lovers, the award is notable not only for the competition’s standing but also for the price. At a recommended retail price of just $25, the Beresford Classic Shiraz sits firmly in the everyday-drinking category rather than the rarefied world of collector wines.
Head winemaker Natalie Cleghorn said the result reflected the quality of fruit produced in McLaren Vale.
“This result is a genuine reflection of what McLaren Vale is capable of. When you let the fruit and the site do the talking, the quality speaks for itself.”
According to the tasting notes, the wine opens with blueberry and plum aromas alongside floral notes and spice, while the palate delivers red cherry, plum, dried fruit, eucalyptus, and savoury spice, supported by bright acidity and fine-grained tannins.
The accolade adds to the growing reputation of Beresford Estate, which was founded in 1985 and has accumulated more than 2,000 medals and 200 trophies globally. The estate is located on a 70-acre vineyard in McLaren Vale and produces a range of wines including Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
While luxury wine collectors often chase bottles costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars, Beresford’s latest success is a reminder that world-class wine does not always come with a world-class price tag.
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