Smiggin Holes
Smiggin Holes is believed to be a Scottish expression which means cattle making a mess whilst digging around in damp ground eating salt licks.
From the earliest days, managers of the Hotel Kosciusko used to bring guests to Smiggin Holes to ski when the snow was poor around the Hotel. The NSW Government built the Black Hut at Smiggins in 1920 to serve as a picnic/shelter for Hotel guests. In 1939 the government built Smiggins Café for the use of anyone passing through and this remained in use for many years.
Development of Smiggins began in 1952 when Johnny Abbottsmith and his family moved into two former shepherds’ huts whilst Johnny built permanent accommodation for his family by the side of the Kosciuszko Road. In 1952 Johnny started a dog sled transport service from Smiggins and in 1953 began an oversnow transport service for the Alpine Transport Company using Weasels. Also in 1952 at Smiggins Johnny built the first private ski tow in the Kosciusko area, the Ski Haven tow.
In 1959 Sverre Kaaten formed Perisher Valley Enterprises (PVE) with John and Pat Davis and Dick Gilkes and, with Bob Strizek, built Beaver Lodge. PVE converted Beaver Lodge into the Alpine Gate Hotel in 1960 and installed a Poma lift beside the Kosciusko Road.
Timeline
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Johnny Abbottsmith builds the Ski Haven Tow
Johnny Abbottsmith builds the Ski Haven Tow, the first private ski tow and only the second ski tow in the Kosciuszko area.
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Johnny Abbottsmith begins a motorised transport service from Smiggin Holes
Johnny Abbottsmith begins a motorised transport service for the Alpine Transport Coy from Smiggin Holes.
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Bob Strizek builds Beaver Lodge
Bob Strizek builds Beaver Lodge for the Sverre Kaaten syndicate.
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Sverre Kaaten forms Perisher Valley Enterprises (PVE)
Sverre Kaaten forms Perisher Valley Enterprises (PVE) with John and Pat Davis and Dick Gilkes.
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Perisher Valley Enterprises converts Beaver Lodge into the Alpine Gate Hotel
Perisher Valley Enterprises converts Beaver Lodge into the Alpine Gate Hotel and installs the first ski tow (a Poma Lift) in the Smiggins Bowl.
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Alan Limbrick, Peter Clark and Neville Andrews join Perisher Valley Enterprises
Alan Limbrick, Peter Clark and Neville Andrews join Perisher Valley Enterprises to fund the first T-bar in the Smiggins Bowl.
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Cresta Lodge was the first built in Smiggins Holes
Cresta Lodge, the first built in Smiggins Holes, burnt down in 1964 and was replaced by the Chalet Apartments.
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Illawarra Alpine Club
Illawarra Alpine Club 50th Anniversary Book, Newsletter 11, p.7
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JWH forms consortium with Ansett Pioneer and H.C. Sleigh
JWH forms 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 T-bar. SKL takes over Perisher Valley Enterprises in a share exchange.
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Smiggins Holes Instructors
L-R: Leo Jaegli, Billy Dittmar, Paul Keller, Karl Hochtl, Ludwig Kurz, Graeme Bookallil, Rosli Stucki, Roger Staub.
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Cottrill’s Clipper Tours replaces Ansett Pioneer transport
Cottrill’s Clipper Tours, owned by Ron Deane, replaces Ansett Pioneer transport.
