The Great Winter Escape

Snow season was cancelled for many Sydneysiders a week after opening due to Covid-19 in 2021. Unfortunately, our 2022 season wasn’t any better and got cancelled that same morning due to my partner’s bad back. In 2023, we were determined to make it happened, one way or the other.

We were fortunate enough to find last minute accommodation at Crackenback Resort (45 minutes from Thredbo) a week out. Little had we known that June 18-19th weekend brought heavy snow and transformed the landscape into a winter wonderland, with temperature reaching -6oc; AMAZING!

View from the balcony, Crackenback Resort, 6am in the morning.

Our choice of vehicle was the 2023 Land Rover Defender P400 X-Dynamic HSE finished in Pangea Green. Fitted with fixed side-steps and equipped with the Cold Climate Pack; offering heated steering wheel, heated windscreen and heated jet washers, perfect for where we are going.

With four grown adults and one 3 years old, the car was extremely spacious with ample legroom thanks to the flat floor space in the Land Rover Defender. Eight bags and snow gear fitted nicely in the genuine Land Rover roof pod while our 857L loadspace was packed to the rafters.

The Land Rover Defender is known worldwide as one of the most capable vehicles off the beaten track. One can take delivery today and be out in the bush tomorrow with barely any modifications needed. I have heard many comments that the new Defender is nothing more than a glorified SUV driven through the suburbs and will never touch grass. That might be the case but when adventure calls, this car is ready!

As we approached an altitude of 1200m, cars were pulled over by rangers to have snow chains fitted while the Defender got a salute to keep going. Onlookers marveled over The Defender’s true colours, and possibly feeling a big green (pun intended).

Photo taken at Thredbo, Pangea Green Land Rover Defender.

Words cannot express how blessed and fortunate I am to be both working for such an amazing brand and being able to put these cars in extreme conditions. I recall driving up the same mountain in a 20yr old 91kw front wheel drive back in my early University days and it was chalk and cheese. These moments create ever lasting memories.

Terrain Response technology makes the Land Rover Defender one of the safest SUV in the world. When driving in snow or ice, select the Grass/Gravel/Snow mode setting and use the highest gear possible for the conditions. All-Terrain Progress Control acts as a launch control system on slippery surfaces, ensuring composed progress at an exact speed set by the driver. The only time I used this mode was to over-overtake a slow vehicle and to safely exit an iced over carpark.

For more information on safe winter driving and preparedness, visit https://www.landrover.com/ownership/4x4-off-road-driving-tips/winter-driving/winter-driving-tips.html.

Another great shot of the Land Rover Defender through a snowstorm at temperature recorded at -12oc.

The Pangea Green Land Rover Defender P400 X-Dynamic HSE is now on displayed inside our showroom at Parramatta Jaguar Land Rover as we attempt to capture and share those moments with others. We hope this article will inspire many to go Above and Beyond like this Defender and create unforgettable moments! For more information, visit us at parramattajlr.com.au or call us today on (02) 7803 4102.

Now on display at Parramatta Jaguar Land Rover Showroom, 14-16 Church Street Parramatta NSW 2150.