History Timeline
The Perisher Historical Society defines its area of interest as extending from the Thredbo River to the Summit of Mt Kosciuszko. Thus it includes all the resorts along the Kosciuszko Road including Sawpit Creek, Wilson’s Valley, the Hotel Kosciusko (Sponars Inn), Smiggin Holes, Perisher Valley, Blue Cow, Guthega, Skitube, Betts Camp, the Chalet and all the huts adjacent to the Kosciuszko Road and on the Main Range.

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Recreational skiing in Australia begins
Recreational skiing in Australia begins at Kiandra and, almost simultaneously, in Norway and the USA.
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First ski club in Australia formed
The Kiandra Snow Shoe Club (KSSC), the first ski club in Australia, is formed at about this time. No records exist as to the formation of KSSC but an article in 1900 by Lockyer in the ‘Town and Country Journal’ said that snow shoe carnivals began in 1882, inferring that the club may have begun…
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Charles Kerry publishes the first photos of skiing in Australia
Photographer Charles Kerry publishes the first photos of skiing in Australia taken at the Kiandra Snow Shoe Club races in that year
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Clement Wragge constructs weather station
Clement Wragge constructs his weather station on the top of Mt Kosciuszko. Further reading: Wragge’s Hut by Wendy Cross, Newsletter 14, p.4. Wragge’s Observatory by C.D.V. Heyde, Aust. NZ Ski Yr. Bk., 1939, p.118.
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Charles Kerry leads first winter ascent of Mt Kosciuszko
Charles Kerry leads first winter ascent of Mt Kosciuszko via the Thredbo Valley, ascending from Friday Flat. Further reading: The First Ascent of Kosciusko on Ski, Aust Ski Yr Bk, 1928, p.43.
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Charles Kerry forms the NSW Alpine Club
Charles Kerry forms the NSW Alpine Club, the precursor of the Kosciusko Alpine Club, in Sydney. This club participated in the carnivals at Kiandra between 1898 and 1907 but ceased to exist when the Kosciusko Alpine Club was formed in 1909.
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Old Betts Camp
The NSW Government builds Old Betts Camp on the old Kosciusko Road
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Championship race at Kiandra
Championship race at Kiandra. L-R: George Irwin (starter), Bill Bourke (winner) and Dick Eastwood.
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New Betts Camp built
The NSW Government builds New Betts Camp on the new Kosciuszko Road halfway between the Hotel Kosciusko and the summit of Mt Kosciuszko. Further reading: Demolition of Betts Camp, Aust Ski Yr Bk 1963, p.31.
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The NSW Government builds The Creel
The NSW Government builds The Creel (a fishing lodge) at the junction of the Kosciuszko Road and the Thredbo River. The Creel was several kilometres downstream from where the present Kosciuszko Road crosses the Thredbo River and is now under the waters of Jindabyne Dam.
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Shelter huts completed
Rawson’s Pass, Lake Albina and Blue Lake shelter huts completed
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The NSW Government opens the Hotel Kosciusko at Diggers Creek
The NSW Government opens the Hotel Kosciusko at Diggers Creek and the Kosciuszko Road to the Summit is completed. Further reading: Special Centenary Dinner at Hotel Kosciusko, Newsletter 3, p.2.
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Kosciusko Alpine Club (KAC) is formed in Sydney
Kosciusko Alpine Club (KAC) is formed in Sydney with Charles Kerry as first president. The NSW Alpine Club ceases to exist Further reading: Happy Birthday KAC (110 years), Newsletter 23, p.4. Page 1 of the Minutes of the first meeting of members of Kosciusko Alpine Club (KAC), Challis House, Sydney, 3 August 1909. Formation…
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First winter ascent of Mt Kosciuszko along the Kosciuszko Road
Sir Herbert Schlink leads the first winter ascent of Mt Kosciuszko along the Kosciuszko Road. L-R: Dr H. Schlink, Dr J. Cosgrove, Mr A.G.M. Pitt and Dr O. Paul (photographer). The trip from the Hotel Kosciusko to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko and return took 3 days with overnight stays at Betts Camp on the…
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Summit Badge and Summit Competition
KAC inaugurates the Summit Badge and Summit Competition Further reading: The Summit Trophy, Aust Ski Yr Bk 1928, p.116.
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First Group of Ladies to reach the summit
First Group of Ladies to reach the summit. L-R: Mr Raffan, Miss Creswick, Miss D. Pitt, Mrs Raffan.
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First Ski Proficiency Tests
KAC institutes the first ski proficiency tests in Australia, based on the Ski Club of Great Britain third class test. Further reading: The Club Tests by Charles Maclurcan, KAC Yr Bk, 1919, p.19.
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First Australian 8 km Open Championship Course
First Australian 8 km Open Championship Course: Kerry Course, Percy Pearson Run, Gates of Heaven, Plains of Heaven, Dainer’s Gap, Kosciuszko Road to foot of Kerry Course.
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KAC Year Book
Kosciusko Alpine Club (KAC) publishes its first Year Book, the first skiing publication in Australia.
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Smiggins Hut Built
The NSW Government builds Smiggins Hut (the Black Hut) at Smiggin Holes.
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The Ski Club of Australia is formed
The Ski Club of Australia is formed with Consett Stephen as first president. Further reading: Formation of the Ski Club of Australia by Dr H.H. Schlink, Aust. Ski Yr. Bk. 1928, p.8.
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Red Hut built
The NSW Government builds Red Hut on the Kosciuszko Road at Charlotte Pass.
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Foremans Hut Built
Foremans Hut (a shepherds hut) is built at the junction of Club Lake Creek & the Snowy River.
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Pounds Creek and Dainers Gap Huts Built
The NSW Government builds Pounds Creek Hut at the junction of Spencers Creek and the Snowy River. The NSW Government builds Dainers Gap Hut at Dainers Gap.
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First Kiandra to Kosciuszko Crossing
Sir Herbert Schlink leads the first Kiandra to Kosciuszko crossing. L-R: Dr Herbert Schlink, Bill Hughes, Bill Gordon, Dr John Laidley, Dr Eric Fisher. Further reading: Kiandra to Kosciusko by Sir Herbert Schlink, Aust Ski Yr Bk, 1928, p.128.
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George Aalberg instructs at the Hotel Kosciusko
Further reading: The Late George Aalberg, Aust. and NZ Ski Yr. Bk., 1939, p.126.
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The Australian Ski Year Book is founded
The Australian Ski Year Book is founded by Kosciusko Alpine Club and the Ski Club of Australia with Percy Hunter the first Editor.
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The Millions Ski Club and Sydney University Ski Club are formed
The Millions Ski Club (T.E. Armitage, President) and Sydney University Ski Club (Dr E. Fisher, President) are formed. Further reading: Formation of Millions Ski Club by S.A. Bailey, Aust. Ski Yr. Bk. 1928, p.11. Formation of University Ski Club, Aust. Ski Yr. Bk., 1928, p.13.
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The Ski Council of NSW is formed
Kosciusko Alpine Club and the Ski Club of Australia form the Ski Council of NSW and they were joined by Millions Ski Club, Sydney University Ski Club and Kiandra Ski Club. Percy Hunter is the first president. Further reading: The Ski Council of NSW, Australian Ski Yr Bk, 1929, p.6.
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Laurie Seaman and Evan Hayes perish near the summit of Mt Kosciuszko.
Laurie Seaman (left) and Evan Hayes, both members of the Millions Ski Club, perish near the summit of Mt Kosciuszko. Further reading: Kosciusko Fatality of 1928 by J.W.S. Laidley, Aust. Ski Yr Bk, 1929, p.97.
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Seaman’s Hut Built
The NSW Government builds Seaman’s Hut with money donated by Laurie Seaman’s family. Further reading: The Seaman Memoriam by Keith P. Bath, Aust Ski Yr Bk, 1929, p.170 In Memoriam, Keith P. Bath, Aust Ski Yr Bk 1929, p. 156.
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Adams Hut is built
Adams Hut (a shepherd’s hut) is built about this time on the Kosciuszko Road next to Mt Sugarloaf and overlooking Spencer’s Creek. It was rebuilt in 1947 by the NSW Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission and renamed Ibis Hut (shown here).
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The NSW Government opens the Kosciusko Chalet at Charlotte Pass
Further reading: The Chalet at Charlotte’s Pass, Aust Ski Yr Bk, 1930, p.14. Some Notes on the Chalet Opening, Aust Ski Yr Bk, 1930, p.57
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Ski Council of NSW runs first 4-event Australian Championship
The Ski Council of NSW runs first 4-event Australian Championship. The Slalom and Jump were held at Piper’s Gap and the Downhill and Langlauf (Cross-Country) were held at Charlotte Pass.
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Sturgeon Hut is built
Sturgeon Hut (a shepherd’s hut) is built on the Kosciuszko Road next to Mt Sugarloaf.
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First interstate race
First interstate race held between NSW and Victoria at Charlotte Pass. This took place in conjunction with the National Championships. NSW represented by Venn Wesche, Cam McFadyen and John Collins Further reading: The Inter-State Race, Aust Ski Yr Bk, 1932, p.51.
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Cooma Ski Club and Kosciusko Snow Revellers Clubs are formed
Cooma Ski Club and Kosciusko Snow Revellers Clubs are formed.
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Sverre Kaaten sets Australian Ski Jump record
Sverre Kaaten sets Australian Ski Jump record of 43.5 m at Charlotte Pass.
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The NSW Government brings Ernst Skardarasy, the first overseas ski instructor, to Australia
The NSW Government brings Ernst Skardarasy, the first overseas (Austrian) ski instructor, to Australia to teach the Arlberg technique at the Hotel Kosciusko and the Chalet at Charlotte Pass.
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Frozen Lessons ski instruction book published
KAC publishes ‘Frozen Lessons’, a ski instruction handbook based on the Arlberg technique taught by Ernst Skardarasy. Southern Alps Ski Club is formed. Further reading: Frozen Lessons, the Stem Turn
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Australia selects its first inter-dominion team to compete in New Zealand
L-R: Dorothy Tickle, Derek Stogdale, Beth Davy, Tom Mitchell, Pat Farquharson, Olive Lamble, Reg Gelling, Curly Annabel.
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First international competition held in Australia at Charlotte Pass between teams from USA, Australia and New Zealand
Dick Durrance, captain USA team
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The NSW Government builds the ‘ski hoist’ at Charlotte Pass, the second ski lift in Australia after the ‘Cresta Run’ at Mt Buffalo, Victoria
The NSW Government commences, but does not complete Rock Creek Hut Torchbearers Ski Club is formed Friedl Pfeiffer (St Anton) and Roland Cossman (Salzburg) instruct at the Hotel Kosciusko and a little at the Chalet before it burnt down
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KAC gains an interest in White’s River Hut
KAC gains an interest in White’s River Hut near Mt Gungartan which it uses as a Main Range touring hut, and adds a room and a radio mast.
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Hotel Kosciusko instructors
Hotel Kosciusko instructors, L-R standing: Ted Shields, Friedl Pfeiffer (St Anton), George Lamble. Roland Cossman (Salzburg) seated.
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The NSW Government opens the new Kosciusko Chalet
The NSW Government builds Smiggins Cafe at Smiggins Holes The NSW Government builds Perisher Hut near Perisher Gap on the Kosciuszko Road
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The Alpine Hut Club builds Alpine Hut at Brassy Mountain
The Alpine Hut Club builds Alpine Hut on freehold land at Dead Horse Creek under Brassy Mountain. Further reading: The Alpine Hut, Brassy Mountain by T. Southwell-Keely, Aust. Ski Yr. Bk., 1940, p.39.
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The NSW Government builds an annexe to the Kosciusko Chalet for the use of members of the Ski Club of Australia
The NSW Government replaces Red Hut with Grey Hut (new Red Hut)
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The Allied Services Meeting
This was the second international ski competition held in Australia at Charlotte Pass with teams from Australia, New Zealand, England, and Norway and other individual allied soldiers from Canada, China, France and the USA
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Johnny Abbottsmith installs and maintains radios at the Chalet, Hotel Kosciusko, Seaman’s Hut, White’s River Hut and Alpine Hut
Leonard Green instructs at the Chalet
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Rock Creek Hut
Rock Creek Hut was built as a halfway hut between The Kosciusko Hotel and The Chalet. Construction commenced in 1938, suspended during War II, finished in 1947, destroyed by lightning in 1949 and re-built by Rock Creek Ski Club in 1959 using predominately the rubble from the site and the existing walls and fireplace. PHS…
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Experimental Air Service
A KAC syndicate buys an Avro Anson airplane (the ‘Ski Flier’) and experiments with a twice-weekly air service for skiers between Sydney and Cooma. The service is successful but, when continued over summer, the Dept of Civil Aviation rules that it has breached its charter and closes the service.
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Kosciusko Snow Revellers Club – Temporary Hut Completed
Kosciusko Snow Revellers Club – Temporary Hut, completed in December 1950, the first ski lodge in Perisher Valley. The main lodge was completed for the October Long weekend 1953. Charles Anton forms Ski Tourers Association Rudi Würth instructs at the Chalet
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Hotel Kosciusko burns down leaving only staff quarters building
YMCA Canberra Ski Club, now Brindabella Ski Club, is formed.
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Tony Sponar and Rudi Würth instruct at Charlotte Pass
Tony Sponar (left) and Rudi Würth instruct at Charlotte Pass
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Ski Tourers Association begins Summer Races
On 29 December Ski Tourers Association starts summer races on the Mt Northcote South America Drift.
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Johnny Abbottsmith starts first Oversnow transport in Perisher Valley
Johnny Abbottsmith operates a dog sleigh team from Smiggin Holes to Perisher Valley, which was Perisher’s first oversnow transport.
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Telemark No 1 built
Telemark No 1 built and occupied for the winter (pre-fabricated and fully imported from Norway). Tony Sponar and Sasha Nekvapil instruct at Charlotte Pass. SMA (Cooma) Ski Club, now Tate Ski Club, is formed.
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Johnny Abbottsmith builds Ski Haven rope tow at Smiggins Holes
The Ski Haven tow is the first private ski lift in the Kosciusko area and the first lift at Smiggins Holes. The Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Authority builds Cootapatamba Hut next to Lake Cootapatamba.
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Bill Day selected for first Olympics
Bill Day selected for first of his three Olympic Games
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Sasha instructs at Charlotte Pass
Sasha Nekvapil joins Tony Sponar at Charlotte Pass and remains until 1957.
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Johnny Abbottsmith starts first motorised winter transport
Johnny Abbottsmith retired his dogs and began driving Weasels for the Alpine Transport Company which became Perisher Valley’s first motorised winter transport.
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Ski Tourers Association opens Kunama Huette in the Kunama basin
Inaugural Perisher Cup held at October long weekend. Each club team of four skiers competed in three events – giant slalom, cross-country relay and jump. Tormod Lillejord sets an Australian Jump record of 51.5 m at Guthega.
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Guthega Dam and Power Station completed
Selmer Engineering completes construction of Guthega Dam and Power Station and removes all but three buildings from its construction camp. These three buildings were the start of Guthega resort. Ski Tourers Association opens the Northcote Ski Tow and Tow Hut next to Kunama Huette. This was the second private ski lift in the Kosciusko area.…
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Graham Chalker becomes first paid ski instructor in Perisher Valley
Graham Chalker, manager of Kosciusko Snow Revellers Club, becomes first paid ski instructor in Perisher Valley
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Big Tow and Tow Hut constructed
Sverre Kaaten’s syndicate constructs the first permanent ski lift in Perisher Valley, the Big Tow and associated Tow Hut, in North Perisher. The Tow Hut was the first private, commercial ski lodge in the Kosciusko area. Guthega resort commences with YMCA Canberra, SMA (Cooma) and Sydney University ski clubs occupying the last three Selmer buildings.
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Christine Davy sets Australian speed record of 112.85 kph.
Christine Davy, Olympian 1956 and 1960, sets Australian speed record of 112.85 kph.
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Avalanche destroys Kunama Huette and kills Roslyn Wesche
A fire destroys the Northcote Ski Tow hut. KAC obtains Ibis Hut from the NSW Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission. Johnny Abbottsmith leaves the Alpine Transport Company and Bob Strizek buys their Weasels.
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Johnny Abbottsmith builds Village Tow
Johnny Abbottsmith builds the Village Tow between Kandahar and KSRC lodges. Bruce Ferguson becomes manager/instructor for Kosciusko Snow Revellers Club.
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K G Murray builds Edelweiss Lodge
John and Pat Davis manage the Big Tow and Tow Hut in North Perisher. Jean Ecuyer becomes instructor for KSRC, Adam Zapenski for the Tow Hut and Karl Sparber for Warrugang, each instructing independently.
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Perisher Ski Association is formed
Perisher Ski Association is formed with Max Gregory as first president. With the help of YMCA Canberra, SMA (Cooma) Ski Club constructs a ski lift up Tate East Ridge.
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SMA ( Cooma) Ski Club constructs a ski lift up Tate East Ridge at Guthega
SMA ( Cooma) Ski Club constructs a ski lift up Tate East Ridge with the help of YMCA Canberra Ski Club.
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Cooma Ski Club constructs their own ski lift on Back Perisher
K G Murray relocates Johnny Abbottsmith’s Village Tow to Front Valley where it becomes the first tow in Front Valley. Perisher telephone service connected. Adam Zapenski instructs at the Chalet and Johnny Müller replaces Zapenski at the Tow Hut.
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KG Murray builds Sundeck Hotel and first T-bar
Neville Gare becomes Superintendent Kosciusko National Park. Rock Creek Hut is rebuilt as Rock Creek Ski Club. Johnny Müller instructs at Warrugang and Henri de Vouassoux at the Tow Hut.
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Tony Sponar rebuilds burnt-out Hotel Kosciusko staff quarters
Tony Sponar rebuilds burnt-out Hotel Kosciusko staff quarters and opens it as Sponars Lakeside Inn. Sverre Kaaten, John and Pat Davis and Dick Gilkes form Perisher Valley Enterprises to develop Smiggin Holes.
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KG Murray builds the Man from Snowy River hotel
Sundeck Hotel burns to the ground and is rebuilt. Dulmison brings electricity to Perisher from Guthega Power Station. Perisher Ski Association forms the Perisher Ski School with Jean Ecuyer, (captain), Johnny Muller, Erich Walka, Jean-Claude Decostard and Denis Bertholet.
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KG Murray builds No 2 T-bar in Front Valley
Walter Spanring instructs at Guthega for YMCA Canberra Ski Club (now Brindabella Ski Club) members.
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Perisher Valley Enterprises converts Beaver Lodge into Alpine Gate Hotel
Perisher Valley Enterprises converts Beaver Lodge into Alpine Gate and commissions Dulmison to build the first ski lift (Poma) in Smiggins Holes.
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Walter Spanring instructs at Guthega
Walter Spanring instructs at Guthega for YMCA Canberra Ski Club (now Brindabella Ski Club) members.
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KG Murray opens the Mt Perisher double chairlift
Alan Limbrick, Peter Clark and Neville Andrews join Perisher Valley Enterprises and fund the first T-bar in Smiggins Basin. Walter Spanring, while continuing to instruct, builds his own hut at Guthega and leases the YMCA Canberra beginners lift and the SMA (Cooma) ski lift on Tate East Ridge.
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YMCA Canberra Ski Club buys Johnny Abbottsmiths Ski Haven Tow
YMCA Canberra Ski Club buys and relocates Johnny Abbottsmith’s Ski Haven Tow to Guthega as a beginners tow. David Whitford forms Davwhit Pty Ltd to build a village on Mt Tate linked with Guthega by a télépherique.
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Gary Fischer opens Eiger Chalet
Gary Fischer opens Eiger Chalet while Jake Zweifel and Jean Ecuyer open Perisher View Motel. Cresta Lodge, the first in Smiggins Holes, opens. A big year for Perisher Valley Enterprises which ran the Big Tow and Tow Hut in Perisher, the Perisher Valley transport service, the Smiggins Café (Ed’s Pies), the Alpine Gate Hotel and…
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Fritz and Margot Feiersinger open Marritz Alpine Inn
KG Murray purchases two Porsche snowmobiles for Perisher Valley Hotels. KG Murray appoints Stan McGuinn to run Perisher Valley Resort. Alan and Gwen Cooper moved from the Sundeck to the Man from Snowy River Hotel
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KG Murray begins snow grooming
KG Murray begins snow grooming in Perisher with a corrugated iron roller pulled by a weasel. KG Murray builds the Piper Poma to connect Perisher Valley and Smiggin Holes. Perisher Valley Enterprises converts the Big Tow to North Perisher T-bar. James Wallace Holdings begins operations in Smiggins.
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Perisher Valley Ski Instructors 1962
Perisher Valley Ski Instructors 1962, L-R: Jean Ecuyer, Len Harrison, Fritz Halbwidl, Jean-Claude Decostard, Eric Walka, Johnny Müller, Noldi Giovanoli, Andre Papp and Helmut Gritscher.
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Ansett Pioneer moves into Oversnow transport operating Nodwell snowmobiles
Perisher Valley Enterprises(PVE) sells the North Perisher T-bar to K G Murray. James Wallace Holdings forms a consortium with Ansett Pioneer and H C Sleigh known as Smiggins Kosciusko Ltd (SKL). SKL runs transport including a new transport terminal and service station, builds a hotel, several lodges and a new T-bar in Smiggins. SKL takes over PVE…
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Hans Trumm becomes non-teaching head of the Ski School.
K G Murray installs the Sundeck Poma lift, the No. 3 T-bar (on the site of the current Blaxland-Wentworth duplex) and the No. 4 T-bar (Technology). K G Murray erects a new staff building behind the Man from Snowy River hotel, an on-piste comfort station between No.3 and No. 4 T-bars and a mini-mart cum…
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‘World’s Longest Chairlift’ opens at Charlotte Pass
The ‘world’s longest chairlift’ opens at Charlotte Pass but is badly damaged by many blizzards and sees little operation. The ‘year of the shovel’, one of the heaviest snow years of the twentieth century. Ski lifts and lodges had to be dug out almost every day. Smiggins Kosciusko Ltd builds the Link T-bar at…
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KG Murray replaces No 2 T-bar with Doppelmayr duplex
KG Murray replaces No 2 T-bar with Doppelmayr duplex and relocates No 2 T-bar between Telemark lift and North Perisher T-bar as the Flat lift. He erects a new T-bar next to the duplex and a new Poma lift between the Technology lift and the Perisher chairlift. K G Murray takes over the Ski School…
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KG Murray opens the Valley Inn (now Perisher Manor)
Inaugural year of The Paddy Pallin Classic – Australia’s first cross-country ski classic. The Catholic Church is completed.
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Walter Spanring’s syndicate builds Blue Calf T-bar at Guthega
Tate East Ridge ski tow burns down. Kosciusko State Park Trust withdraws approval for the Davwhit Village on Mt Tate.
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Burke-Wills duplex replaces No 1 T-bar at Smiggins
NSW Ski Patrol Association formed November 1968 with four area patrols – Perisher Valley, Thredbo, Smiggin Holes and Guthega. Kosciusko State Park Trust changed its name to Kosciuszko National Park.
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Winter opening of the Kosciuszko Road from Smiggins Holes to Perisher Valley
K.G. Murray converts No.5 T-bar into a duplex (now the Blaxland-Wentworth) and constructs the Sun Valley T-bar. K.G. Murray imports the first modern snow groomer, a Swiss Ratrac.
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KG Murray begins snow making with Larchmont Blizzard Jet machines
Kurt’s Keller Restaurant opens to cater for growing skier numbers. Ansett Pioneer pulls out of Oversnow transport which was then taken over by Cottrills Clipper Tours owned by Ron Deane.
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KG Murray buys Smiggins Holes Resort
KG Murray buys Smiggins Holes Resort (Smiggins (Kosciusko) Ltd) and appoints Mel Skelton to run it.
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KG Murray constructs the Eyre Lift on Mt Perisher, his last lift.
Sir Frank Packer buys Perisher Valley and Smiggin Holes from K G Murray. This purchase included the commercial rights and leases for ski tuition, all the numerous lifts in Perisher Valley and the two original hotels (‘Sundeck’ and ‘The Man from Snowy River’). New owner, Kosciusko Alpine Resorts, is formed, a subsidiary of Publishing and Broadcasting.
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Sir Frank Packer combines Perisher Valley and Smiggins Holes resorts
Sir Frank Packer combines Perisher Valley and Smiggins Holes resorts to form Kosciusko Alpine Resorts (KAR). Harold Droga takes over from Stan McGuinn as manager of KAR. KAR constructs the Olympic T-bar.
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NSW Ski Association is formed
NSW Ski Association (NSWSA) is formed taking over the administration of the sport of skiing in NSW from the defunct Ski Council of NSW. The Association had committees to care for the individual interests of the various ski disciplines and regional zones – Perisher, Charlotte Pass, Thredbo & Smiggins (Guthega was the domain of the ACT…
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Hans Oversnow formed
Oversnow transport taken over by Hans Zollinger calling it Hans Oversnow and is still owned and operated by his son Ralph. The All Denominational Church opened by Sir Roden Cutler, Governor of NSW.
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Guthega Developments builds Blue Cow T-bar
Guthega Developments builds Blue Cow T-bar, Cowpastures rope tow and a replacement rope tow for Johnny Abbottsmith’s New Haven tow.
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KAR builds the Kaaten triple chair at Smiggin Holes.
KAR constructs the Pretty Valley double chair, the Happy Valley T-bar and the Mt Perisher triple chair.
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Sverre Kaaten Nordic Shelter opens
Sverre Kaaten Nordic Shelter opens to become the centre of cross-country skiing in NSW. Additions in 2008 more than doubled its size. Walter Spanring sells 75% of Guthega Developments to syndicate of Alex Pongrass, Tibor Balog and Dr Alexander Morven Dan.
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Charlotte Pass Village builds Kangaroo Ridge triple chairlift
New Guthega syndicate builds chairlift from carpark and new Blue Cow T-bar.
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Mt Blue Cow begins operations
Mt Blue Cow begins operations with four new quad chairs, (Summit, Ridge, Terminal and Pleasant Valley) and the early starter double chair.
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Skitube begins operations
Skitube begins operations taking passengers via the tunnel from the Alpine Way at Bullocks Flat to Perisher Valley.The tunnel link from Perisher to Blue Cow was not quite finished and buses were used to run through the tunnel with a turntable employed for the return trip. The Perisher to Blue Cow section was completed next…
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SLOPES is formed
SLOPES, the Ski Lodges Organisation of Perisher Smiggins and Guthega is formed with John Grinham as first president. The organisation was formed in response to NPWS seeking to appoint head lessees over the different resorts. This was 4 years before Perisher Resort (amalgamation of Perisher, Smiggins, Blue Cow and Guthega) was created.
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Perisher Resort forms
The separate operations of Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Mount Blue Cow, Guthega, The Station and the Skitube Railway merged under the single umbrella now known as Perisher. It is the largest snow resort operation in the southern hemisphere. It has the highest terrain, the greatest number of lifts and the most reliable snow in Australia.
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Perisher Ski Resort negotiates a new lease with the NSW Government
Perisher Ski Resort negotiates a new lease with the NSW Government for all four resort areas for another 60 years.
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Perisher Resort builds the Freedom quad chair
Perisher Resort builds the Freedom quad chair to replace the Cowpastures Poma lift at Guthega.
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Vail Resorts acquires Perisher Ski Resort
Vail Resorts, Inc. announced that the Company has agreed to acquire its first international mountain resort, Perisher Ski Resort (“Perisher”) in New South Wales, Australia, for total cash consideration of AU$176.6 million (approximately US$136 million), subject to certain adjustments.