In 1919, there was no organisation responsible for skiing in Australia, in fact there were only two ski clubs in Australia, Kiandra Snow Shoe Club (KSSC) and Kosciusko Alpine Club (KAC). Of the two, KAC was much bigger whilst KSSC was struggling to retain members in the aftermath of the gold mining boom.

KAC, resident at the Hotel Kosciusko, decided to hold an Australian Championship open to all comers (male only) and, in 1919,  issued the adjacent invitation.

In 1919, there was no organisation responsible for skiing in Australia, in fact there were only two ski clubs in Australia, Kiandra Snow Shoe Club (KSSC) and Kosciusko Alpine Club (KAC). Of the two, KAC was much bigger whilst KSSC was struggling to retain members in the aftermath of the gold mining boom.

KAC, resident at the Hotel Kosciusko, decided to hold an Australian Championship open to all comers (male only) and, in 1919,  issued the adjacent invitation.

Australian skiers at the time had very primitive technique. They could ski downhill but only in a straight schuss. They were incapable of turning as there was no one who could instruct them in the Norwegian or Arlberg methods.

By contrast, most skiers could perform simple cross-country technique and that was the sort of skiing they did most of the time and, with it, they were able to explore quite a lot of territory.

So, the Australian Championship was created as a single event, 5 mile (8 km) cross-country race near the Hotel Kosciusko and its route is shown in the adjacent map.

The route started at the foot of the Kerry Course, went up the Percy Pearson Run to the Gates of Heaven, then via the Plains of Heaven to Dainer’s Gap, down the Kosciuszko Road to the Little Kerry Course and finished at the foot of the Little Kerry.

Australian skiers at the time had very primitive technique. They could ski downhill but only in a straight schuss. They were incapable of turning as there was no one who could instruct them in the Norwegian or Arlberg methods.

By contrast, most skiers could perform simple cross-country technique and that was the sort of skiing they did most of the time and, with it, they were able to explore quite a lot of territory.

So, the Australian Championship was created as a single event, 5 mile (8 km) cross-country race near the Hotel Kosciusko and its route is shown in the adjacent map.

The route started at the foot of the Kerry Course, went up the Percy Pearson Run to the Gates of Heaven, then via the Plains of Heaven to Dainer’s Gap, down the Kosciuszko Road to the Little Kerry Course and finished at the foot of the Little Kerry.

The first Australian Champion ship was duly held in 1919 with only six entrants. The  winner was Richmond Scott (pictured).

The first Australian Champion ship was duly held in 1919 with only six entrants. The  winner was Richmond Scott (pictured).

The Australian Championship remained as a single event, 5 mile cross country race throughout the 1920s. The snow around the Hotel Kosciusko was unreliable and the race was not always able to be held. Thus there was no race in 1921, 1922, 1924 and 1926.

The winner in 1920 was Harold Damm, in 1923 J. Osterman and in 1925 R.J Furley (pictured).

The Australian Championship remained as a single event, 5 mile cross country race throughout the 1920s. The snow around the Hotel Kosciusko was unreliable and the race was not always able to be held. Thus there was no race in 1921, 1922, 1924 and 1926.

The winner in 1920 was Harold Damm, in 1923 J. Osterman and in 1925 R.J Furley (pictured).

In 1927, KAC ‘discovered’ George Aalberg, a Norwegian cross-country skier and jumper who was working at the Hotel Kosciusko. KAC engaged Aalberg to coach club members (and other skiers) in nordic technique.

Aalberg was a very good skier who set several long distance records while at the Hotel where he taught for about 10 years.

Aalberg also won the Australian Championship in 1927, 1928 and 1929.

In 1927, KAC ‘discovered’ George Aalberg, a Norwegian cross-country skier and jumper who was working at the Hotel Kosciusko. KAC engaged Aalberg to coach club members (and other skiers) in nordic technique.

Aalberg was a very good skier who set several long distance records while at the Hotel where he taught for about 10 years.

Aalberg also won the Australian Championship in 1927, 1928 and 1929.

In 1928, KAC and the Ski Club of Australia (SCA; founded 1920) combined forces to produce the first Australian Ski Year Book and also found the Ski Council of NSW (SCNSW). Now there was an official body that could control the sport.

In 1928, KAC and the Ski Club of Australia (SCA; founded 1920) combined forces to produce the first Australian Ski Year Book and also found the Ski Council of NSW (SCNSW). Now there was an official body that could control the sport.

The first Australian Championship under the auspices of SCNSW (1930) introduced alpine events for the first time and had 4 events, slalom, downhill, langlauf (cross-country) and jump. A skier accumulated points in all events

Initially, the Australian Champion was the skier who gained most points over the 4 events.

The first Australian 4 event champion in 1930 was John Collins from Beaudesert in Queensland.

The first Australian Championship under the auspices of SCNSW (1930) introduced alpine events for the first time and had 4 events, slalom, downhill, langlauf (cross-country) and jump. A skier accumulated points in all events

Initially, the Australian Champion was the skier who gained most points over the 4 events.

The first Australian 4 event champion in 1930 was John Collins from Beaudesert in Queensland.