The Steven Walters Snowy Ride is an annual motorcycle event run in the Alpine Region of NSW with the aim of involving motorcycle riders from all over Australia to raise money for Childhood Cancer Research. Almost 3,000 riders participated last year, so early booking of accommodation is important. It is also an opportunity for riders to enjoy a weekend away with their friends and family and to ride some of Australia’s best and most picturesque roads.
The first Snowy Ride was launched in 2001 as a request from Steven Walter, a young man who lost his fight against cancer. Steve loved motorcycle riding and asked that a charity motorcycle ride be organised to raise funds for cancer research and cancer care,
“So that one day no other kid will have to go through what I've been through”. The
Snowy Ride web site
www.snowyride.com.au will keep riders updated with the latest news and what is happening with the ride.
Registrations will be open from 1 July 2013. Registering on the ride gives you National Park entry for the event.
The date for this year's
Snowy Ride is Saturday 2nd November 2013. A concert is usually held on the Friday night (details to be confirmed).
Accommodation links can be found on the website, along with pictures from previous years.
A general overview of the weekend is:Riders usually start arriving in Thredbo village on the Friday and do their own thing. On the Friday a Snowy Ride registration tent is usually assembled in Cooma where late registrants can collect their park entry stickers and merchandise etc.
A concert (you need to buy tickets) is usually held in the Thredbo Alpine Hotel that night.
On the Saturday, Honda have a large number of motorbikes that you are able to test ride. Bookings required so get out of bed early and get down to the Honda tent and put your name down.
There is no real agenda on Saturday. Everyone either in groups of friends etc or by themselves spend it riding the wonderful roads that can be found in the region. Popular ones include Thredbo to Khancoban, Cooma, Charlotte's Pass, Perisher Valley etc. Another good one is to Dalgety pub for lunch, where hundreds of bikes gather which makes for a pretty good atmosphere.
About 4:00 on the Saturday, there is a group gathering of riders near the entrance to the park (I'm talking about 1,500 + bikes). Everybody rides to Thredbo Village in convoy which is truly impressive. After arriving in the village, everybody meets for a speech from the Snowy Ride organisers. By buying your Snowy Ride ticket, you have a chance of winning a new Honda motorbike. In past years that has been a Goldwing worth $40,000. There is usually a raffle for another bike as well.
Usually, there is a public concert in the public areas adjacent to the Thredbo Alpine Hotel that night.
On the Sunday, there is no organised agenda. A lot of people start riding home, but it's another opportunity to ride the mountains again.
There is a petrol station at the bottom of the village. There is only one. There are several service stations at Jindabyne.
Accommodation needs to be booked early. You need to make your own accomodation booking & payment. Some choices that I am familiar with include:
Silver Brumby (basic rooms, great kitchen & dining room, with spectacular views). I have booked at the Silver Brumby already. The Silver Brumby will set you back about $80 per night including breakfast.
The Silver Brumby Lodge
Managers: Emma and Nicholas Chavanne1 Banjo Drive Thredbo VillageTelephone: 02 6457 6244 Facsimile: 02 6457 6280 lodge@silverbrumby.com.auwww.silverbrumby.com.auThe Denman. Not cheap, but close to the action:
The Denman HotelDiggings Terrace
PO Box 128
Thredbo Village, NSW 2625
Phone 6457 6222
info@thedenman.com.au
Other options can be seen at this link:
http://www.snowyride.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=30An event not to be missed.
Previous Snowy Ride Pics:
Home 