Beginning in 1951, the Ski Tourers Association (STA; now Australian Alpine Club) set out to build a chain of huts on the Main Range which would allow skiers to go from one to the next and ski exclusively on the Main Range. In 1951 STA built Lake Albina Lodge beside Lake Albina and in 1953 Kunama Huette in the Kunama Basin (basin created by Mts Clarke-Northcote-Lee-Carruthers).

In 1954 STA built the Northcote Ski tow beside Kunama Huette so that skiers could more easily ski the Kunama basin. The Northcote ski tow ran straight up Mt Northcote and, at the time, was the best ski tow in the Kosciuszko area.

The photo shows Kunama Huette (left) and the Northcote Ski Tow and Tow Hut in the middle of the Kunama basin.

Beginning in 1951, the Ski Tourers Association (STA; now Australian Alpine Club) set out to build a chain of huts on the Main Range which would allow skiers to go from one to the next and ski exclusively on the Main Range. In 1951 STA built Lake Albina Lodge beside Lake Albina and in 1953 Kunama Huette in the Kunama Basin (basin created by Mts Clarke-Northcote-Lee-Carruthers).

In 1954 STA built the Northcote Ski tow beside Kunama Huette so that skiers could more easily ski the Kunama basin. The Northcote ski tow ran straight up Mt Northcote and, at the time, was the best ski tow in the Kosciuszko area.

The photo shows Kunama Huette (left) and the Northcote Ski Tow and Tow Hut in the middle of the Kunama basin.

The Northcote Ski Tow ran straight up Mt Northcote but stopped a little short of the peak because of the large cornice which tended to collapse. The Northcote Ski Tow Hut, at the foot of the tow, had 4 beds on the ground floor and the ski tow engine in the second storey so as to ensure its operation in heavy snow.

The Northcote Ski Tow ran straight up Mt Northcote but stopped a little short of the peak because of the large cornice which tended to collapse. The Northcote Ski Tow Hut, at the foot of the tow, had 4 beds on the ground floor and the ski tow engine in the second storey so as to ensure its operation in heavy snow.

On 2 August, 1956, three weeks after the Kunama avalanche, which destroyed Kunama Huette, a fire broke out in the tow hut. As the water line from the dam had frozen, the hut was dependent on melted snow for water. Fire extinguishers failed to put out the fire and the hut burnt to the ground.

On 2 August, 1956, three weeks after the Kunama avalanche, which destroyed Kunama Huette, a fire broke out in the tow hut. As the water line from the dam had frozen, the hut was dependent on melted snow for water. Fire extinguishers failed to put out the fire and the hut burnt to the ground.

Remains of the Northcote Ski Tow after the fire.  All the stanchions are still in place but the tow hut has burnt to the ground.

Remains of the Northcote Ski Tow after the fire.  All the stanchions are still in place but the tow hut has burnt to the ground.

The Kosciusko State Park Trust did not permit the rebuilding of either Kunama Huette or the Northcote Ski tow, so members of the newly-formed Crackenback Ski Club, many of whom were members of STA, took all the stanchions and cables to Thredbo and built the first ski tow (a rope tow) at Thredbo in 1957.

The Kosciusko State Park Trust did not permit the rebuilding of either Kunama Huette or the Northcote Ski tow, so members of the newly-formed Crackenback Ski Club, many of whom were members of STA, took all the stanchions and cables to Thredbo and built the first ski tow (a rope tow) at Thredbo in 1957.

The first ski tow at Thredbo was a rope tow, built by the members of Crackenback Ski Club in 1957, and used the stanchions and engine from the destroyed Northcote rope tow. This tow preceded the first chairlift in Thredbo by one year.

The first ski tow at Thredbo was a rope tow, built by the members of Crackenback Ski Club in 1957, and used the stanchions and engine from the destroyed Northcote rope tow. This tow preceded the first chairlift in Thredbo by one year.