The World’s Longest Chairlift
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Sketch plan of the World's Longest Chairlift
The so-called ‘World’s Longest Chairlift’ (WLC) was built to solve a major transport problem for guests going to the Chalet. In those days, Chalet guests would park their cars at Sawpit Creek, take buses to Smiggin Holes and then oversnow transport to the Chalet. The traffic arrangements were so chaotic that guests often took almost a day to reach the Chalet from Sawpit Creek. The new lift would allow guests to park below the snow-line on the Alpine Way and then reach the Chalet fairly quickly.
The adjacent plan shows the route of the WLC. It was not a single lift but two, one of which started at the Chalet (top of plan) and the other on the Alpine Way, 6 km from Thredbo resort (bottom of plan). The top bull wheels of each lift were about 4 metres from each other under the Ramshead restaurant on top of the Ramshead or Crackenback Range.
Starting at the Chalet, the lift rose to the ‘Main Range View’ station on the Stilwell Range and then proceeded across Wright’s Creek Valley and up to the ‘Top Station’ (Ramshead Restaurant) on the Crackenback Range. The second lift then proceeded to the Alpine Way via Bella Vista Station.
Sketch plan of the World's Longest Chairlift
The so-called ‘World’s Longest Chairlift’ (WLC) was built to solve a major transport problem for guests going to the Chalet. In those days, Chalet guests would park their cars at Sawpit Creek, take buses to Smiggin Holes and then oversnow transport to the Chalet. The traffic arrangements were so chaotic that guests often took almost a day to reach the Chalet from Sawpit Creek. The new lift would allow guests to park below the snow-line on the Alpine Way and then reach the Chalet fairly quickly.
The adjacent plan shows the route of the WLC. It was not a single lift but two, one of which started at the Chalet (top of plan) and the other on the Alpine Way, 6 km from Thredbo resort (bottom of plan). The top bull wheels of each lift were about 4 metres from each other under the Ramshead restaurant on top of the Ramshead or Crackenback Range.
Starting at the Chalet, the lift rose to the ‘Main Range View’ station on the Stilwell Range and then proceeded across Wright’s Creek Valley and up to the ‘Top Station’ (Ramshead Restaurant) on the Crackenback Range. The second lift then proceeded to the Alpine Way via Bella Vista Station.
Chalet bottom station
The photo shows the lift at the Chalet going up the Woodrun towards the Main Range View station. Because it was such a long lift each chair had a canopy to protect guests from the wind. The Chalet bottom station still exists and is now ‘The Cell Block’, accommodation for Chalet staff.
Chalet bottom station
The photo shows the lift at the Chalet going up the Woodrun towards the Main Range View station. Because it was such a long lift each chair had a canopy to protect guests from the wind. The Chalet bottom station still exists and is now ‘The Cell Block’, accommodation for Chalet staff.
Wright's Creek Valley
In the top right of the photo the WLC passes over the Stilwell Range and the Main Range View Station (an exit platform and small hut) can be seen where the lift crosses the range. Skiers could elect to get off at this station and ski back to the Chalet via the Woodrun or via Wright’s Creek valley.
Wright's Creek Valley
In the top right of the photo the WLC passes over the Stilwell Range and the Main Range View Station (an exit platform and small hut) can be seen where the lift crosses the range. Skiers could elect to get off at this station and ski back to the Chalet via the Woodrun or via Wright’s Creek valley.
Wright's Creek Valley
Another view of Wright’s Creek valley shows the lift approaching the Wright’s Creek Station in the middle of the valley and, beyond it on the Crackenback Range, Top Station – Ramshead Restaurant
Wright's Creek Valley
Another view of Wright’s Creek valley shows the lift approaching the Wright’s Creek Station in the middle of the valley and, beyond it on the Crackenback Range, Top Station – Ramshead Restaurant
Ramshead Restaurant
When it existed, the Ramshead Restaurant was the highest in Australia and had a spectacular 360 degree view of the alps. It also housed the two bull wheels at the top of both lifts. Skiers who wished to ski the slopes of the Thredbo valley exited at the restaurant. From here one could also ski back to the Chalet via Wright’s Creek valley.
Ramshead Restaurant
When it existed, the Ramshead Restaurant was the highest in Australia and had a spectacular 360 degree view of the alps. It also housed the two bull wheels at the top of both lifts. Skiers who wished to ski the slopes of the Thredbo valley exited at the restaurant. From here one could also ski back to the Chalet via Wright’s Creek valley.
Alpine Way bottom station
This was the bottom station on the Alpine Way where skiers who wished to go to the Chalet, parked their cars. The hillside next to the bottom station is covered in chairlift chairs with their associated canopies which had probably been removed for lift servicing.
Alpine Way bottom station
This was the bottom station on the Alpine Way where skiers who wished to go to the Chalet, parked their cars. The hillside next to the bottom station is covered in chairlift chairs with their associated canopies which had probably been removed for lift servicing.
Digging Out
As mentioned, 1964 was an extremely heavy snow year and when the lift operated, (infrequently), various parts of it had to be cleared of snow. Skiers who cleared snow for 2 hours received a free day lift pass. The photo shows skiers clearing snow around the Chalet bottom station.
Digging Out
As mentioned, 1964 was an extremely heavy snow year and when the lift operated, (infrequently), various parts of it had to be cleared of snow. Skiers who cleared snow for 2 hours received a free day lift pass. The photo shows skiers clearing snow around the Chalet bottom station.
Blizzards
Very severe blizzards were common in 1964 and the chairs on the lift were particularly exposed and vulnerable as they crossed Wright’s Creek valley. This photo shows the lift approaching the Ramshead Restaurant and a chair being blown blown horizontally. In very severe winds the chairs were sometimes derailed from the lift.
Blizzards
Very severe blizzards were common in 1964 and the chairs on the lift were particularly exposed and vulnerable as they crossed Wright’s Creek valley. This photo shows the lift approaching the Ramshead Restaurant and a chair being blown blown horizontally. In very severe winds the chairs were sometimes derailed from the lift.
Ramshead Restaurant
Very little of the WLC remains but one can still visit the site of the Ramshead Restaurant. Part of the restaurant wall remains as do the two bull wheels of the respective lifts, an impressive reminder of what might have been.
Ramshead Restaurant
Very little of the WLC remains but one can still visit the site of the Ramshead Restaurant. Part of the restaurant wall remains as do the two bull wheels of the respective lifts, an impressive reminder of what might have been.
The Cell Block
The Cell Block at Charlotte Pass is now accommodation for Kosciuszko Chalet staff. Previously, it was the Chalet bottom station of the WLC.
The Cell Block
The Cell Block at Charlotte Pass is now accommodation for Kosciuszko Chalet staff. Previously, it was the Chalet bottom station of the WLC.
NPWS ranger station.
This NPWS ranger station was formerly the Alpine Way bottom station of the WLC.
NPWS ranger station.
This NPWS ranger station was formerly the Alpine Way bottom station of the WLC.